For years, type 2 diabetes has been closely associated with excess weight. Yet millions of people develop the condition despite having a normal body weight, leaving researchers searching for answers beyond the usual risk factors.
Now, a new study from Brazil suggests that inflammation within the immune system could play a far greater role than previously believed.
Researchers supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) found evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may help improve insulin resistance in a form of type 2 diabetes that occurs without obesity, reports Science Daily.
Looking beyond weight
The research focused on a well-established animal model used to study non-obese type 2 diabetes. While obesity remains one of the strongest risk factors for the disease, experts estimate that a notable share of patients develop diabetes without being overweight.
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Scientists investigated whether fish oil supplementation could influence the biological processes linked to insulin resistance in these cases.
The results showed improvements in blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides among the animals that received omega-3 supplementation.
The inflammation link
Rather than focusing solely on metabolism, the researchers examined how the immune system behaved during the progression of diabetes.
Their findings suggested that omega-3 fatty acids helped shift immune activity away from a pro-inflammatory state. This is significant because chronic inflammation is known to interfere with the body's ability to respond effectively to insulin.
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The study also found changes in key immune cell populations, supporting the growing theory that type 2 diabetes is influenced not only by metabolic factors but also by immune system activity.
More questions ahead
The researchers caution that the findings come from animal experiments and cannot be directly applied to humans.
However, the study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that inflammation may be an important driver of diabetes, even in the absence of obesity. It also highlights the need for further clinical research into whether omega-3 supplementation could offer benefits for people living with type 2 diabetes.
For now, the findings provide another clue that the disease may be more complex than previously thought, with the immune system potentially playing a much larger role than once assumed.
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Source: São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and Science Daily
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