20 years later, participants with the most trans-palmitoleic acid (the top 20 percent) had a 60 percent lower risk of developing diabetes than those with the lowest levels.

"Unfortunately, with modern diets, synthesis of cis-palmitoleic acid is now driven by high amounts of carbohydrate and calories in the diet, which might limit its normal protective function.

Fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids may be protective of type 1 diabetes in infants, whereas fatty acids found in breast milk were protectively associated with islet autoimmunity and primary insulin ...