Overweight postmenopausal women with Type 2 diabetes may successfully manage their weight if they consume two types of dietary oils, a new study has suggested.
Scientists from Ohio State University have built on previous studies which found that safflower oil, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), naturally found in some meat and dairy products, are associated with weight loss.
Both oils are composed primarily of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are associated with a variety of health benefits.
The study showed that supplementation with safflower oil for a period of 16 weeks reduced fat in the trunk area, lowered blood sugar and increased muscle tissue in the women participants. At the same time, the use of CLA for the same length of time reduced total body fat and lowered the womens body mass index.
“This study is the first to show that such a modest amount of a linoleic acid-rich oil may have a profound effect on body composition in women,” says Martha Belury, professor of human nutrition at Ohio State and senior author of the study.
She further stresses that as postmenopausal women tend to lose muscle and accumulate fat in their mid-section, those who also face the challenge of managing their diabetes may benefit from these findings and use dietary oils as a complement to healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise. 