(LB03-08-24) Marine Omega-3 and Maqui Berry Anthocyanin Supplementation in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Results of a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objectives: Residual disturbances in glycemia, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease risk often persist in patients with T2D, despite pharmacologic interventions. Complementary nutritional strategies such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and anthocyanins modulate inflammation and metabolism, offering adjunctive potential alongside standard care. However, their combined impact in patients with T2D remains unexplored. This study examined the combined effects of marine omega-3 PUFAs and maqui berry (MB) anthocyanins for 8 weeks on markers of metabolic inflammation and cardiometabolic risk in individuals with T2D.

Methods: These data were derived from a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-arm trial investigating the combined supplementation (active treatment; [FOM]) of anthocyanins (600 mg/d MB extract) and omega-3 PUFAs (3 g/d fish oil; 2 g/d EPA, 1 g/d DHA) for 8 weeks on cytokines and mental acuity in individuals with T2D, compared to a placebo (CON). Participants (N=32) were randomized and attended three visits to the test site (Weeks 0, 4, and 8) during which blood sampling was completed for later analyses. Linear mixed models were utilized to examine treatment effects of FOM on inflammatory and cardiometabolic risk markers. We also examined baseline associations between omega-3 status (i.e., Omega-3 Index [O3I]) and cardiometabolic risk indicators.

Results: The O3I was inversely associated with HbA1c (-8.5% difference per 1 unit increase in O3I, 95%CI -15.1, -1.4, p = 0.022) and glucose (-12.4% difference per 1 unit increase in O31, 95%CI -22.9, -0.5, p = 0.042), after covariate adjustment at baseline across participants with T2D. However, results from linear mixed model analyses demonstrated no significant differences in change from baseline between FOM and CON groups at week 8 in any inflammatory, oxidative stress, glycemic control, or circulating lipid markers assessed in this study. No significant treatment effects were noted despite an estimated 93% greater increase in the O3I from baseline in the FOM group than the CON group at week 8.

Conclusions: We did not observe significant effects of FOM on inflammation or glycemic control in adults with T2D. However, beneficial baseline associations were observed between the O3I and glycemic control.

Funding Sources: Study was funded by the Inflammation Research Foundation.