Prevention of insulin resistance by long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: A 2022 update

Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with many diseases, most notably: type 2 dia-betes (T2DM), obesity and metabolic syndrome. The prevention of IR involves maintaining a normal weight with regular physical activity. In addition to these measures, n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs), which are naturally present in marine foods, may be able to contribute to this prevention. The aim of this general review is to present a state of the art, in 2022, of the biochemical, physiological, pathophysiological, epidemiological, and clini-cal data underlying their potential interest in the prevention of IR and T2DM. Although there are discrepancies between translational studies (very much in favor of a protective effect of n-3 LC-PUFAs) and clinical studies, the accumulation of data, including the most recent meta -analyses, allows us today to conclude that they have a preventive and partially curative effect in pathologies with IR, including probably IR associated to T2DM. A preventive effect on the occurrence of T2DM is strongly suggested. These effects require higher nutritional doses than currently recommended.(c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of l'Academie nationale de medecine.