Research Highlights

Fish Oil May Treat Type II Diabetes
Findings reported by scientists from Texas A&M University suggest that fish oil improves glucose uptake in muscle cells, and that this action is influenced by the concentration of fish oil. Results of the in vitro study indicate that when the hormone insulin is present, fish oil helps to more efficiently transport glucose into muscle cells. This is important because blood sugar must get inside muscle cells for proper metabolic functioning and scientists have not yet fully understood how fish oil may impact this in the presence of insulin. The aim of the research was to evaluate differences in cellular glucose activity with various concentrations of oil.
In this study, Omega 3, Ultimate Omega, DHA and Complete Omega 3-6-9 patented omega 3 fish oil concentrates from Nordic Naturals, Inc., Watsonville, CA, were used. All of these essential fatty acid blends improved glucose uptake. Omega 3 (providing 30% EPA and DHA) and Ultimate Omega (providing 60% EPA and DHA) had the most impact, followed by DHA (containing 50% DHA, 10% EPA) and Complete Omega 3-6-9, a fish oil and borage oil blend.
In addition, Omega 3 and Ultimate Omega were shown to improve cell viability, a measure of cellular metabolic activity.

Fruit Smoothie Offers Nutritional Benefits of an Ideal Meal
Robeks Corp., Manhattan Beach, CA, released the results of a study that compared the nutritional content of a Robeks fruit smoothie to four other meal options. The study found the Robeks smoothie offered the nutritional benefits of an ideal meal.
The study compared the nutritional value of five meal options, running them through a variety of tests to discover each meal’s breakdown of calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar and protein.
At 390 calories, the Robeks smoothie provided the second lowest number of calories of the “on-the-go” meal options. It also provided the lowest amount of fat (2 grams), the second highest amount of protein (13 grams) and the lowest amount of sodium (50 mg). The Robeks smoothie was supplemented with fiber and soy protein “boosts” that contributed to its healthy outcome.

Diosmin Can Help Improve Diabetic Vascular Conditions
New research has shown improvement in microcirculatory disorders experienced by diabetic patients that were treated with Daflon 500 mg—a fraction flavonoid, 90% of which is comprised of the supplement Diosmin, available from Berg Imports LLC, Ann Arbor, MI.
A study conducted in France by a research team lead by A. Behar, MD, treated 13 diabetic outpatients who had been suffering from a microcirculatory condition anywhere from one to 19 years and who had abnormal albumin retention. Each study participant took two tablets a day of Daflon 500 mg for the duration of one month. Any treatments that were already in place prior to participation were continued during the study. A test was performed before and at the end of the study to measure albumin retention in the urine. Twelve of the 13 patients experienced normalization in the levels of albumin. In 10 out of 13 patients, the test was carried out a third time several months after the Daflon 500 mg treatment was withdrawn.