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Calanus Oil and Lifestyle Interventions Improve Glucose Homeostasis in Obese Subjects with Insulin Resistance
Felix Kerlikowsky1, Madeline Bartsch1,2,3, Wiebke Jonas1
1Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Leibniz University Hannover, Am Kleinen Felde 30, 30159 Hannover, Germany.
Abstract:
Obesity increases the risk for insulin resistance (IR) and type-2 diabetes. Lifestyle interventions (LI) and dietary supplementation can help mitigate IR. We investigated the effect of calanus oil (CO) supplementation, combined with LI, on glucose homeostasis in obese subjects. CO, a novel marine oil, contains omega-3 fatty acid wax esters as well as plant sterols and astaxanthin. In the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled 12-week intervention study, 266 subjects with distinct IR phenotypes were assigned to four groups: 2 g CO/day, 4 g CO/day, 2 g CO/day + LI, and placebo. The effect of CO on HOMA index reduction was influenced by the initial (t0) squared HOMA index (interaction p = 0.011). A post hoc test showed significant improvement with 2 g CO/day + LI (estimated marginal means [EMM] 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.19 [-0.80-0.41], p = 0.021). Secondary analysis revealed that 4 g CO/day had significant effects in subjects with mild IR (HOMA index 2.5-5.0) (EMM [95% CI]: -0.76 [-1.53-0.03], p = 0.043). CO supplementation improved glucose homeostasis, with effects varying by dose, combination with LI, and IR phenotype.
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