Marine lipids and diabetes

Many epidemiological and clinical studies have been conducted to examine the potential effects of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the prevention and management of diabetes and related metabolic risk factors. Although marine n-3 PUFAs are inversely associated with diabetes in early ecological and cross-sectional studies, evidence from prospective cohort studies or randomized controlled trials is still inconsistent. Some studies suggest that marine n-3 PUFAs may be associated with lower diabetes risk among Asian, but not Western, populations. Trial evidence supports the beneficial effect of marine n-3 PUFAs on blood triacylglycerol, but not glycemic, traits. Integration of nutrigenetics in future research may help disentangle the relationship between marine n-3 PUFAs and diabetes. This chapter aims to discuss the epidemiological and clinical evidence of marine n-3 PUFAs for the prevention and management of diabetes.