His and Hers Seafood for Diabetes Protection

Guys: The next time you go out for seafood, think twice before saying, "I'll have what she's having." Here's why: When it comes to the diabetes-dodging powers of seafood, new findings suggest that they may not be the same for men and women.

Gender Bender
A 15-year Chinese study found that for women, a diet that included all types of seafood helped protect them from type 2 diabetes, but for men, diabetes defense came only from eating shellfish. Further studies are needed to explore possible reasons for these gender-specific differences, but most researchers agree that it's the omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) in seafood that keep insulin -- the body's blood sugar-controlling hormone -- working well. (Related: Keep your blood sugar in check with this nutritional formula.)

Get Hooked
Better blood sugar control is just one of many reasons to put seafood on your plate. Here are some major body parts it also benefits:

• Your heart. Find out how fish keeps it beating steadily.
• Your kidneys. Fish helps you kiss this kidney ailment goodbye.
• Your brain. Feed your mind fish and these other five smart foods.

Roll up your sleeves and tackle the day's big catch. Watch this video for tips on how to skin and debone fish fillets like a master chef.

Recipe for Better Blood Sugar
On a crisp fall day, there's nothing more delicious than a steaming bowl of stew. From EatingWell, here's a delicious recipe to add to your type 2 diabetes diet: cioppino, San Francisco’s version of bouillabaisse.

Could diabetes be sneaking up on you? Take this quick test to find out.

Fish, shellfish, and long-chain n-3 fatty acid consumption and risk of incident type 2 diabetes in middle-aged Chinese men and women. Villegas R., et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2011 Aug;94(2):543–551.

Eating fish and risk of type 2 diabetes: A population-based, prospective follow-up study. van Woudenbergh G.J., et al., Diabetes Care 2009 Nov;32(11):2021–2026.