Sunday June 30, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in Diabetes Metabolism Journal suggests taht dyslipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes who are treated with statins to lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol would be better off taking omega-3 fatty acids supplements or eating omega-3 fatty acid containing foods.

M.W. Lee from Gwangmyeong Sung Ae Hospital in Gwangmyeong, Korea and colleagues conducted the study and found that patients with diabetes mellitus who had also persistent hypertriglyceridemia and took statins increased the LDL particle size and decreased triglycerides, which are desirable. 

The authors say in their report that it would be best for diabetic patients with dyslipidemia and using statins to use other therapeutic strategies to further reduce their cardiovascular risk.  The study was intended to examine how intake of omega-3 fatty acids would have an impact on diabetes mellitus patients who took statins to control serum levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Enrolled in the randomized, open-label study were  diabetic patients with persistent hypertriglyceridemia or high triglycerides (more than 200 mg/dL) who took statins for at least six weeks. In the study, 51 patients were assigned to receive either omega-3 fatty acid 4 grams, 2 grams or no drug for 8 weeks.

After the 8-week treatment,  low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and triglyceride level was reduced in diabetes mellitus patients who used 4 grams of omega-3 fatty acids and statins, compared with those using statins only, 2.8% vs. 2.3%.  And no side effects were associated with the omega-3 fatty acids plus statin treatment.

The researchers concluded "Coadministration of omega-3 fatty acids with statin increased LDL particle size and decreased TG (triglycerides) level in dyslipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes."  (Reporting by Jimmy Downs)