Fish diet rich in Omega 3 while pregnant 'could protect babies from diabetes'
PREGNANT or breast feeding women who eat a fish rich diet protect their babies from diabetes, a new study found.
Omega 3 found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines protects children at risk of type 1 diabetes from developing the disease.
And Finnish scientists said the findings could lead to new recommendations that pregnant women eat more omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and breastfeed for longer.
Type 1 diabetes is incurable and occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce any insulin.
The autoimmune condition, which means the immune system attacks healthy body tissue in the pancreas by mistake, is often inherited.
The NHS said if you have a close relative such as a parent, brother or sister with type 1 diabetes you have about a 6 per cent chance of also developing the condition.
This study clarifies the complex associations between fatty acid status, milk type and type 1 diabetes development, but further studies on the subject are warranted
The risk for people who don't have a close relative with type 1 diabetes is just under 0.5 per cent.
The study by the National Institute of Health and Welfare in Helsinki said prediabetes in children not showing any symptoms can be identified by autoantibodies that develop in infancy or early childhood.
Fatty acids have been shown to alter the immune system and inflammatory reactions and may play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes-related autoimmunity.
Dr Sari Niinista investigated the association of early serum fatty acid composition with the risk of type 1 diabetes associated autoimmunity.
She said: "Our hypothesis was that fatty acid status during infancy is related to type 1 diabetes-associated autoimmunity and that long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, in particular, are associated with decreased risk."
The study monitored 7,782 genetically predisposed newborns taking part in the Finnish 'Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Study'.
Blood samples were taken between three and 24 months of age, and then annually up to age 15.
Mothers filled in questionnaires and food diaries to record breastfeeding and formula use, the main dietary sources of fatty acids in early infancy.
Results showed that high serum levels of fish-derived fatty acids were associated with lower risk of early insulin autoimmunity.
The researchers also found that fatty acid status in infants strongly reflected the type of milk feeding.
Breastfed infants had higher serum levels of fatty acids for example pentadecanoic, palmitic, docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and docosapentaenoic acid or DPA, associated with lower risk of type 1 diabetes-related autoimmunity compared to non-breastfed infants.
Quantity of breast milk consumed further reduced the risk, whereas the amount of cow's milk-based formula was associated with higher risk of developing earlier (insulin) autoimmunity.
Dr Niinista said: "As far as we know, our study is the first one investigating the amount of breast milk consumed in this context, and having primary insulin and GAD autoimmunity as outcomes.
"Earlier findings on the associations between duration of breastfeeding and risk of developing type 1 diabetes are inconsistent.
"In our study, the quantity of cow's milk consumed was associated with an increased risk of primary insulin autoimmunity.
"Our findings are in line with previous prospective cohort studies on milk consumption during infancy and childhood and the development of islet autoimmunity and/or type 1 diabetes."
Despite the relatively small number of cases of insulin and GAD autoimmunity, the study revealed a number of clear links between fatty acid levels in infancy and type 1 diabetes-related autoimmunity.
These were not affected when the researchers took into account other potential variables such as familial diabetes, maternal education, and amount of cow's milk in diet.
Dr Niinista said: "Our results show that fatty acid status in infants strongly reflects the type of milk feeding.
"Higher proportions of fish-derived fatty acids as well as fatty acids related to breastfeeding may provide protection from type 1 diabetes associated autoimmunity.
"Furthermore, breast milk consumption may reduce, and cow's milk consumption may increase, the risk of primary insulin autoimmunity.
"This study clarifies the complex associations between fatty acid status, milk type and type 1 diabetes development, but further studies on the subject are warranted.
She cautioned an association does not imply causality, and more studies are needed to confirm whether fatty acids can protect children from autoimmune responses that can trigger type 1 diabetes.
She concluded the "findings support the view that breastfeeding, or some components of breast milk, including fatty acids, are protective, particularly with early autoimmunity...and that long-chain omega-3 status during the early months, at a time when the immune system is maturing and being programmed, is critical."
The study was published in Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.