Research
Micronutrients & recovery
Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) does not improve glycemic control (A1C, fasting glucose) in people with type 2 diabetes, but may reduce triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol.
Taking omega-3 supplements (EPA/DHA) will not lower your A1C or fasting blood sugar. However, it may help lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol, which is beneficial for heart health. Discuss with your doctor if omega-3s are appropriate for your lipid profile.
ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
Overall it appears that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids does not improve glycemic control but may have beneficial effects on CVD risk biomarkers among individuals with type 2 diabetes by reducing TGs (in some but not all studies).
Why this rating
Based on 4 RCTs and a meta-analysis, but results on TGs were mixed (some increased, some decreased).
Source
Macronutrients, Food Groups, and Eating Patterns in the Management of Diabetes
Madelyn L. Wheeler et al. · Diabetes Care · 2012
DOI 10.2337/dc11-2216
systematic_reviewCited 357×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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- Lowering total carbohydrate intake (very-low to moderately low) improves glycemic control (A1C, fasting glucose) and insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes, often allowing for reduced medication use, without worsening CVD risk markers compared to conventional diets.Moderate
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