For certain people, dietary oil supplements could help ward off unwanted fat.
For certain people, dietary oil supplements could help ward off unwanted fat.
It is known that weight loss improves blood sugar control in persons with type 2 diabetes and the quantity of fat consumed is directly related to it. The effects of fat quality, as opposed to quantity, on weight loss are not well understood. Past studies have found that conjugated linoleic acid lowers fat in men but its effects on women were not clear. Researchers in America compared the effects of two dietary oils - conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and safflower oil on body weight and composition in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.
Safflower oil is a common cooking oil. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, is found in trace amounts in lamb, beef and milk, but researchers prefer to study the commercial CLA supplements, because the concentration in food is too small to have much fat-lowering ability. Both oils are considered good fats when consumed in proper amounts.
The researchers studied 55 obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes whose average age was 60 years. Each woman tried both oils, one at a time, during two 16-week periods separated by a four-week period when they took neither oil. The participants took eight dietary oil capsules a day, two at each meal and another two at night, for a total of eight grams of added oil per day. In all, 35 women finished both the study periods. They didn't change their diet or exercise patterns.
It was found that the obese older women with type 2 diabetes who added safflower oil or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements to their diet either decreased their body mass index or boosted their muscle mass.
The women who took the CLA had a significant decrease in their body mass index (BMI) - about half of a point on average. Their total body fat declined by about three percent. The safflower oil did not affect total body fat, but did decrease the trunk (belly fat tissue) by 3 to 4 pounds. It also boosted muscle mass by 1 to 3 pounds.
The safflower oil also lowered fasting blood sugar levels by 11 to 19 points. Average levels after 16 weeks of safflower oil supplements were 129 to 148 mg/dl (below 110 milligrams per decilitre is normal), still high but significantly improved.
The researchers concluded that using one or both of these oils could work into all the other things, such as diet and exercise and suggested that the oil supplements could be added to other efforts to reduce weight and tighten diabetes control.
It is known that weight loss improves blood sugar control in persons with type 2 diabetes and the quantity of fat consumed is directly related to it. The effects of fat quality, as opposed to quantity, on weight loss are not well understood. Past studies have found that conjugated linoleic acid lowers fat in men but its effects on women were not clear. Researchers in America compared the effects of two dietary oils - conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and safflower oil on body weight and composition in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.
Safflower oil is a common cooking oil. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, is found in trace amounts in lamb, beef and milk, but researchers prefer to study the commercial CLA supplements, because the concentration in food is too small to have much fat-lowering ability. Both oils are considered good fats when consumed in proper amounts.
The researchers studied 55 obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes whose average age was 60 years. Each woman tried both oils, one at a time, during two 16-week periods separated by a four-week period when they took neither oil. The participants took eight dietary oil capsules a day, two at each meal and another two at night, for a total of eight grams of added oil per day. In all, 35 women finished both the study periods. They didn't change their diet or exercise patterns.
It was found that the obese older women with type 2 diabetes who added safflower oil or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements to their diet either decreased their body mass index or boosted their muscle mass.
The women who took the CLA had a significant decrease in their body mass index (BMI) - about half of a point on average. Their total body fat declined by about three percent. The safflower oil did not affect total body fat, but did decrease the trunk (belly fat tissue) by 3 to 4 pounds. It also boosted muscle mass by 1 to 3 pounds.
The safflower oil also lowered fasting blood sugar levels by 11 to 19 points. Average levels after 16 weeks of safflower oil supplements were 129 to 148 mg/dl (below 110 milligrams per decilitre is normal), still high but significantly improved.
The researchers concluded that using one or both of these oils could work into all the other things, such as diet and exercise and suggested that the oil supplements could be added to other efforts to reduce weight and tighten diabetes control.
COMMENT
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
