Fish oil supplements\u2014the most commonly used type of omega-3 supplements\u2014contain oil that comes from the tissues of fatty fish, like mackerel, herring, tuna, and salmon. Although omega-3 supplements are effective for lowering triglycerides and may support cognition, the research on whether they impact blood sugar is mixed.\n<\/p>\n
Overall, omega-3 supplements appear to have little to no effect on blood sugar levels<\/a>; research has been inconclusive:\n<\/p>\n A 2024 review analyzed 35 research articles on omega-3s and diabetes (type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes), in which participants took omega-3 supplements of various types, doses, and lengths of time. Researchers found that some participants saw a reduction in fasting blood glucose levels, while others did not. Omega-3 supplements shouldn\u2019t be your first choice to manage blood sugar<\/a>, according to experts in the field.\n<\/p>\n \u201cIn general, omega-3 supplements seem to be mostly blood sugar-neutral,\u201d registered dietitian and diabetes expert Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDCES, FAND<\/a>, told Health. \u201cAcross multiple large reviews, most studies show little to no meaningful change in HbA1c or fasting glucose.”\n<\/p>\n According to registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES<\/a>, omega-3s may slightly help blood sugar indirectly \u201cby lowering long-term low-level inflammation\u201d\u2014but that the supplements still have \u201csmall or mixed effects on blood sugar tests.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \u201cOmega-3s are not recommended for glycemic control,\u201d added Andres Splenser, MD<\/a>, endocrinologist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, \u201cBut they may be used for triglyceride-lowering or cardiovascular risk in some patients.\u201d (Diabetes can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, so consuming enough omega-3s can help reduce overall risk, said Palinski-Wade.)\n<\/p>\n Considering omega-3s\u2019 modest-to-neutral effects on blood sugar, it\u2019s best to discuss with your doctor whether they\u2019re worth adding to your supplement routine.\n<\/p>\n Public health organizations like the American Diabetes Association<\/a> don\u2019t specifically recommend omega-3s in their guidelines for blood sugar management.\n<\/p>\n If you decide to take omega-3 supplements for whatever reason, a typical dose of under 3 grams per day is generally safe. \u201cHigh doses (over 3 grams per day) can increase bleeding risk, especially with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs,\u201d said Splenser.\n<\/p>\n People with fish or shellfish allergies should avoid fish-based supplements, he added, and those with atrial fibrillation or flutter may have a higher risk of arrhythmia with high doses of EPA\/DHA.\n<\/p>\n Pregnant women and people with liver conditions should also take special care. \u201cCod liver oil and other omega-3 products that are high in vitamin A<\/a> can lead to vitamin A toxicity, which is especially risky during pregnancy or for people with liver conditions,\u201d Palinski-Wade said.\n<\/p>\n
\nA 2022 review analyzed 30 studies evaluating the effects of omega-3 supplementation on diabetes in humans. Researchers found that the supplements had a \u201csignificant effect on the reduction of fasting blood glucose.\u201d
\nA 2020 meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials found that people with diabetes who took fish oil supplements had no significant difference in glucose control outcomes compared to those who took a placebo.
\nA 2019 systematic review in The BMJ\u2014the largest of its kind, including 83 randomized controlled trials\u2014determined that increasing omega-3 intake had little or no effect on blood glucose levels or preventing or treating type 2 diabetes<\/a>.<\/p>\n