Omega 3 use seems to be significantly helpful in reducing effects of several
inflammatory and autoimmune types of diseases. This one of many abstracts
that I read on the subject.
Marilyn
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Ab
stract&list_uids=12480795&itool=iconabstr
Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
Simopoulos AP.
The Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health, Washington, DC 20009, USA.
[log in to unmask]
Among the fatty acids, it is the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
which possess the most potent immunomodulatory activities, and among the
omega-3 PUFA, those from fish oil-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)--are more biologically potent than
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Some of the effects of omega-3 PUFA are brought
about by modulation of the amount and types of eicosanoids made, and other
effects are elicited by eicosanoid-independent mechanisms, including actions
upon intracellular signaling pathways, transcription factor activity and
gene expression. Animal experiments and clinical intervention studies
indicate that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and,
therefore, might be useful in the management of inflammatory and autoimmune
diseases. Coronary heart disease, major depression, aging and cancer are
characterized by an increased level of interleukin 1 (IL-1), a
proinflammatory cytokine. Similarly, arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative
colitis and lupus erythematosis are autoimmune diseases characterized by a
high level of IL-1 and the proinflammatory leukotriene LTB(4) produced by
omega-6 fatty acids. There have been a number of clinical trials assessing
the benefits of dietary supplementation with fish oils in several
inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in humans, including rheumatoid
arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, lupus
erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and migraine headaches. Many of the
placebo-controlled trials of fish oil in chronic inflammatory diseases
reveal significant benefit, including decreased disease activity and a
lowered use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
|
