The Combined Effects of a High-Fiber and n-3 Fatty Acid Diet Intervention on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Diabetes

This study explored how a high-fiber diet and n-3 fatty acids, alone and together, affect inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood sugar control in mice with type 2 diabetes. Forty diabetic mice were divided into four groups: diabetic control, high-fiber diet (25 g/day), n-3 PUFA (3 g/day), and a combined high-fiber + n-3 PUFA diet. The intervention lasted 16 weeks. The combined group showed the best outcomes, with CRP reduced by 48%, MDA lowered by 42%, SOD activity raised by 58%, and HbA1c decreased by 1.7 ± 0.2%. Gene analysis showed weaker NF-κB and MAPK signaling in the combined group than in single-treatment groups. These findings show that fiber and n-3 fatty acids work together through different but related actions: fiber supports gut health and reduces inflammation, while n-3 fatty acids improve antioxidant activity and help protect cells. This combination may offer a simple dietary approach to support blood sugar and metabolic balance in diabetes, though more long-term human studies are still needed.