Omega 3’s standout as the most anti-inflammatory of the poly unsaturated fatty acids (omega 9’s also acting as anti-oxidants). They modulate NF-kappaB (central in the inflammation cascade), help heal leaky gut, treat pain in arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, benefit the cardiovascular system, and even help lower allergic reactions in the current and future generations. And don’t forget, they are good for your brain whether young or old or having suffered a concussion.
Anti-inflammatory: Omega 3’s suppresses NF-kappaB through activating PPAR-alpha, causing a decrease in inflammatory triggering mediators.
Leaky Gut: At least in experimental rats, leaky gut is prevented by omega 3 administration. I have seen other research supporting their use but will have to add more later.
Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Multiple studies in rheumatoid arthritis indicate a significant benefit when omega 3’s are dosed appropriately.
Cardiovascular: This area has been widely studied. Omega 3’s can lower particle numbers for the cholesterols which trigger atherosclerosis. It causes the small dense LDL to enlarge to the less dangerous larger ones. It reduces triglycerides while increasing HDL (protective). It improves insulin sensitivity, lowers inflammation, and acts to lower clot risk. It also lowers blood pressure, decreases atrial fibrillation, and improves heart rate variability. More importantly it lowers morbidity and mortality.
Allergies: For those suffering from asthma and allergies, omega 3’s can help shift the immune system away from allergic responses. For babies in utero, the mom’s intake of omega’s 3’s lowers the baby’s future risk of allergic diseases.
Brain Health: Studies show that the Omega 3, DHA, particularly benefits brain health. Besides their cardiovascular benefits, they also seem to protect the concussed brain from suffering long term effects.
How to Get the Benefits of Omega 3’s: Sources of omega 3’s include not only marine sources (cold water fish, krill oil, and algae) but also for vegetarians flaxseed and other oils (options for vegetarians).
When using omega 3’s from marine sources, awareness of mercury toxicity risk is necessary. Eating fish without paying attention to mercury levels could lead to other health issues. Even supplements may contain mercury if not harvested and processed properly. At Sanctuary we steer our patients toward safer forms of Omega 3’s.
Review of Omega 3’s:
Kiefer, David and Traci Pantuso. “Omega-3 fatty acids: An update emphasizing clinical use” Agro food industry hi-tech vol. 23,4 (2012): 10-13.
Anti-inflammatory:
Nutritional Perspectives, Vol. 28, no. 1,1-16
Darshan S. Kelley, David Siegel, Dawn M. Fedor, Yuriko Adkins, Bruce E. Mackey; DHA Supplementation Decreases Serum C-Reactive Protein and Other Markers of Inflammation in Hypertriglyceridemic Men, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 139, Issue 3, 1 March 2009, Pages 495–501, https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.108.100354
Leaky gut:
Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2016; 2016: 4694726. Published online 2016 Apr 10. doi: [10.1155/2016/4694726] Fish Oil Reduces Hepatic Injury by Maintaining Normal Intestinal Permeability and Microbiota in Chronic Ethanol-Fed Rats
Jiun-Rong Chen, 1 Ya-Ling Chen, 2 Hsiang-Chi Peng, 1 Yu-An Lu, 1 Hsiao-Li Chuang, 3 Hsiao-Yun Chang, 1 Hsiao-Yun Wang, 1 Yu-Ju Su, 1 and Suh-Ching Yang 1 , *
Arthritis:
Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1998 Jun;27(6):366-70.
Omega-3 fatty acids in rheumatoid arthritis: an overview.
Ariza-Ariza R1, Mestanza-Peralta M, Cardiel MH.
Rajaei, Elham et al. “The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Receiving DMARDs Therapy: Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial” Global journal of health science vol. 8,7 18-25. 3 Nov. 2015, doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n7p18
Cardiovascular:
Mori, Am J Clin Nutrition 2000;71:1085
Am J Card 2010;105:1409,J of Nutriton 2008;138:30
Am J Therapeutics 2009;16183,J of Clinical Lipidology 2012;6:5-18
Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:1315, J of Clin Lipidol 2012;6:585
Allergies:
Allerology International
Volume 64, Issue 1, January 2015, Pages 27-34
Role of omega-3 fatty acids and their metabolites in asthma and allergic diseases
Jun Miyataa, Makoto Aritaab
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1323893014000100#abs0010
https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/opinion/insight/can-omega-3-rich-fish-oil-supplements-reduce-allergy-risk-in-infants/20204798.article?firstPass=false
Gunaratne AW, Makrides M, Collins CT. Maternal prenatal and/or postnatal n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) supplementation for preventing allergies in early childhood. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015;7:CD010085. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010085.pub2
Bisgaard H, Stokholm J, Chawes BL et al. Fish oil-derived fatty acids in pregnancy and wheeze and asthma in offspring. N Engl J Med 2016;375:2530–2539. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1503734
See VHL, Mas E, Prescott SL et al. Effects of prenatal n-3 fatty acid supplementation on offspring resolvins at birth and 12 years of age: a double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial. Br J Nutr 2017;118(11):971–980. PMID: 29173199
Br J Nutr. 2017 Dec;118(11):971-980. doi: 10.1017/S0007114517002914. Epub 2017 Nov 27. December 29, 2016
PLOS Published: February 28, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002507
Diet during pregnancy and infancy and risk of allergic or autoimmune disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vanessa Garcia-Larsen , Despo Ierodiakonou, Katharine Jarrold, Sergio Cunha, Jennifer Chivinge, Zoe Robinson, Natalie Geoghegan, Alisha Ruparelia, Pooja Devani, Marialena Trivella, Jo Leonardi-Bee, Robert J. Boyle
Brain Health:
Nutrients. 2016 Jan 4;8(1). pii: E6. doi: 10.3390/nu8010006. DHA Effects in Brain Development and Function. Lauritzen L, Brambilla P, Mazzocchi A, Harsløf LB, Ciappolino V, Agostoni C.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2016;69 Suppl 1:7-21. Epub 2016 Nov 15. Docosahexaenoic Acid. Calder PC1.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2016;69 Suppl 1:22-28. Epub 2016 Nov 15. Docosahexaenoic Acid and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Term Infants. Meldrum S1, Simmer K.
Nutrition. 2015 Feb;31(2):261-75. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2014.06.016. Epub 2014 Jul 24.
Inadequate supply of vitamins and DHA in the elderly: implications for brain aging and Alzheimer-type dementia. Mohajeri MH1, Troesch B2, Weber P2.
J Am Coll Nutr. 2016 Jul;35(5):469-75. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2016.1150796.
Concussions, Traumatic Brain Injury, and the Innovative Use of Omega-3s.
Lewis MD1.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 May;97(5):1134-43. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.053371. Epub 2013 Mar 20.
DHA supplementation improved both memory and reaction time in healthy young adults: a randomized controlled trial.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more… offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.