This study was the first to show that omega-3 supplementation leads to lowered inflammation in overweight adults. 

Chronic inflammation is linked to numerous conditions, including coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the frailty and functional decline that can accompany aging.

New research from Ohio State University shows that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can lower inflammation in healthy, but overweight adults.  This suggests regular use of these supplements may help protect against and treat certain illnesses.

Omega-3 supplementation over a period of 4 months decreased a protein in the blood involved in signaling the presence of inflammation - interlukin-6 (IL-6) - by more than 10%. Additionally, a modest decrease was found in another inflammation marker - tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a). In comparison, participants taking placebos as a group saw average increases of 36% and 12% respectively, of the same markers.

Both IL-6 and TNF-a belong to a class of proteins called cytokines. When cytokines are stimulated, they produce an inflammatory response to an injury or infection.

“Protective and Therapeutic” Effect

Participants in the OSU study took either 1250mg or 2500mg of active omega-3 fatty acids in their supplements. ”Omega-3 fatty acids may be both protective so that inflammation doesn’t go up, as well as therapeutic by helping inflammation go down,” said Jan Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychiatry and psychology at Ohio State University. Statistically, there was no significant difference in lowered inflammation between the two doses, but each dose clearly produced cytokine reductions that differed significantly from the placebo group.

“This is the first study to show that omega-3 supplementation leads to changes in inflammatory markers in the blood in overweight but otherwise healthy people. In terms of regulating inflammation when people are already healthy, this is an important study, in that it suggests one way to keep them healthy.”

The scientists recruited 138 adults – 45 men and 93 women – who were in good health, but who were either overweight or obese and lived sedentary lives. Their average age was 51 years. Based on body mass index (BMI), 91% of the participants were overweight and 47% were obese.“We wanted to have enough room to see a downward trend. Most other trials testing the effects of omega-3 supplements on inflammation used people who were seriously diseased or skinny and healthy,” said Kiecolt-Glaser.

More Is Not Always Better

“These data support the idea that a higher dose of omega-3 is not necessarily better than a lower dose in terms of prevention of inflammation,” said Martha Belury, professor of human nutrition at Ohio State and a co-author of the study.

“Although omega-3 fatty acids cannot take the place of good health behaviors, people with established inflammatory diseases or conditions may benefit from their use,” Kiecolt-Glaser said.

The researchers also sought to determine whether omega-3 fatty acids could reduce depression symptoms, but participants had relatively few symptoms to begin with so no significant reductions were seen. Depression is also associated with chronic inflammation, but research hasn’t yet fully defined the mechanisms behind that relationship.
 

June 23, 2012
The Healthy Mind Network

Story Source: The above story contains original content and/or information reprinted and editorially adapted by The Healthy Mind. Material is provided by The Ohio State University and EurekAlerts. 

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