In a preliminary study out of Ohio State University, two common dietary oils have shown promise as therapies for lowering body fat in certain people with Type 2 diabetes.
The research involved safflower oil, commonly used in cooking, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), naturally found in some meats and dairy products. Both are made mostly of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are associated with a variety of health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol levels and protecting against arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
Thirty-five obese, postmenopausal women with Type 2 diabetes completed the trial, first taking 8 grams per day (slightly less than 2 teaspoons) of one type of oil, then the same amount of the other, for 16 weeks each. The subjects were instructed not to change their diet or exercise regimens so that the effects of only the supplements could be measured.
At the end of the trial period, the researchers were surprised to discover that supplementation with the safflower oil decreased fat in the trunk area by an average of 6.3% and supplementation with the CLA reduced total body fat by an average of 3.2%. According to senior author Martha Belury, “I never would have imagined such a finding. This study is the first to show that such a modest amount of a linoleic acid-rich oil may have a profound effect on body composition in women.”
In addition to its effect on body fat, the safflower oil also increased the women’s muscle mass by an average of approximately 1.4 to 3 pounds and additionally lowered their fasting blood glucose levels by 11–19 mg/dl, on average.
Further research is required to determine the long-term safety of this type of supplementation, since some studies have suggested that fat that leaves fat tissue may end up in the liver or muscles, where it could lead to insulin resistance. And the study findings may have a limited application, warns Lona Sandon, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, who notes that “Although the study appears to be fairly well done, there are a lot of limitations and concerns for applying this information to anyone other than postmenopausal, obese women with Type 2 diabetes.”
To learn more, read “Two Dietary Oils, Two Sets of Benefits for Older Women With Diabetes,” or see the study’s abstract on the Web site of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
unfortunately you did not say how much CLA the ladies took….please be more precise, as many of us follow these reports very closely.
Posted by Mary Strayer | Jul 22, 2009 at 2:22 pmI would like to know whether or not the intake of the supplemental safflower oil is safe to be used by a type “1″ diabetic.
Posted by Amanda | Jul 23, 2009 at 10:25 amIf so, in what dosage would you recommend, and is this something I can find in my local drug store?
Dear Ms. Strayer:
Thank you for your comment. The amount taken of both types of oil was 8 grams (slightly less than 2 teaspoons) per day. Please see paragraph three for more information.
Sincerely,
Posted by Diane Fennell | Jul 23, 2009 at 12:58 pmDiane Fennell
Web Editor
I, like Amanda posted on 7/23, would like to know if this would also be safe and benificial for a Type 1 diabetic?
Posted by Jan | Jul 25, 2009 at 11:16 amHi Jan and Amanda,
Thanks for your comments. These are great questions, but they would be best directed toward your health-care providers, who are familiar with the specifics of your situations.
Thank you for your interest in Diabetes Self-Management.
Sincerely,
Posted by Diane Fennell | Jul 27, 2009 at 10:11 amDiane Fennell
Web Editor