Allergies & Asthma

Omega 3 for the Immune System
and Inflammatory Health

Of all the essential fatty acids, omega-3 contain the strongest immune-enhancing or immune-modulating properties. Moreover, of all sources of omega-3 fatty acids, marine source DHA and EPA specifically cold water fish oils are more biologically potent than plant source alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (Simopoulos, 2002).

According to Simopoulos, animal and clinical experiments have confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of omega-3 fatty acids, and point to the potential for therapeutic use of fish oil in the management of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. More recent studies have shown omega-3 fatty acids to be of significant benefit in autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosis, and Crohns disease.

Ergas, Eilat, Mendlovic, and Sthoeger reiterate Simopouloss findings by conducting a review of the literature on omega-3 fatty acids and their effect on the immune system in the case of autoimmune disease.

According to the researchers, fish oil supplementation appears to be particularly helpful in acute and chronic autoimmune disorders where inappropriate activation of the immune system occurs. In diseases where inflammation is mild (i.e. a kidney disorder called nephropathy), fish oil may slow or possibly prevent the progression of the condition. However, researchers caution that, where a condition already exists, supplementation of fish oil over a long period may not be beneficial. Study is ongoing in this area.

Epidemiological studies have shown that in populations where consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is regular and high, there is a decreased incidence of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Scientists believe that the constant consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may suppress any autoreactive or hyper-reactive white blood cells (Ergas et al., 2002).

Eat more Oily Fish

Britain's fish consumption has slumped in the last 30 years, whereas asthma has risen - some scientist believe that there may be a link.

Double-blind research shows that fish oil partially reduces reactions to allergens that can trigger attacks in some asthmatics.(1) Although a few researchers report small but significant improvements when asthmatics supplement with fish oil,(2) (3) reviews of the research show that most fish oil studies with asthmatics come up empty-handed.(4) (5) It is possible that some of these trials failed because they did not last long enough to demonstrate an effect.

There is evidence that children who eat oily fish may have a much lower risk of getting asthma.(6) Moreover, in a double-blind trial, children who received 300 mg per day of fish oil (providing 84 mg of EPA and 36 mg of DHA) experienced significant improvement of asthma symptoms.(7) It should be noted that these benefits were obtained under circumstances in which exposure to food allergens and environmental allergens was strictly controlled. Though the evidence supporting the use of fish oil remains somewhat conflicting, eating more fish and supplementing with fish oil may still be worth considering, especially among children with asthma.

However, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) suggests that you should eat only one portion of fish per week as it can contain harmful dioxins. For people who dislike oily fish, or who want to increase their intake of EPA & DHA Omega 3s may choose to take a good quality fish oil supplement such as like Omax3™ which is manufactured to the highest quality standards: pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled, independently tested, and free from environmental contaminants such as dioxins, PCBs, and heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium.

References

• Ergas, D., Eilat, E., Mendlovic, S., Sthoeger. (2002). N-3 fatty acids and the immune system in autoimmunity. Israeli Medical Association Journal, vol. 4(1), p. 34-8.
• Arm JP, Horton CE, Eiser NM, et al. The effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil on asthmatic responses to antigen. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1988;81:183 [abstract #57].
• Broughton KS, Johnson CS, Pace BK, et al. Reduced asthma symptoms with n-3 fatty acid ingestion are related to 5-series leukotriene production. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;65:1011–7.
• Dry J, Vincent D. Effect of a fish oil diet on asthma: results of a 1-year double-blind study. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 1991;95:156–7.
• Thien FCK, Woods RK, Waters EH. Oily fish and asthma—a fishy story? Med J Aust 1996;164:135–6 [editorial].
• Fogarty A, Britton J. The role of diet in the aetiology of asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2000;30:615–27.
• Hodge L, Salome CM, Peat JK, et al. Consumption of oily fish and childhood asthma risk. Med J Austral 1996;164:137–40.
• Nagakura T, Matsuda S, Shichijyo K, et al. Dietary supplementation with fish oil rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in children with bronchial asthma. Eur Respir J 2000;16:861–5