For those who have been overweight or obese and developed diabetes, supplementation including omega-3 fatty acids may help to limit blood cholesterol levels and a risk for developing nerve damage as a result of a diabetes diagnosis.

Neuropathy is a disorder which can limit the sense of feeling in the extremities, and may feel like a tingling or painful sensation in the arms or legs.

Researchers from Wayne State University and the University of Michigan found that in 427 diabetes patients they studied, higher levels of triglycerides in the blood were linked to the neurological condition.

Since neuropathy affects more than half of diabetes patients, "these results set the stage for clinicians to be able to address lowering lipid counts with their diabetes patients with neuropathy as vigilantly as they pursue glucose control," says senior author Dr Eva L. Feldman.

Apart from omega-3 fatty acids, scientists in Germany say that an herbal supplement based on a magnolia relative may also prove beneficial in efforts to lower triglycerides.

Pink Ipe is commonly found in Latin America and scientists at the Max Rubner Institute found that a supplement they developed using the plant may lower the level of triglycerides developed after meals.