The Immune Aspects of Essential Fatty Acids

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:   Frankp@chiro.org

If there are terms in these articles you don't understand, you can get a definition from the Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary.   If you want information about a specific disease, you can access the Merck Manual.   Search Pub Med for more abstracts on this topic.

   Suppression of Autoimmune Disease by Dietary N-3 Fatty Acids
           J. Lipid Res 1993;   34 (8):   1435–1444
           Previous studies have demonstrated that dietary fish oil preparations have anti-inflammatory effects in humans and in experimental animals, but the individual components of fish oils that are responsible for their anti- inflammatory effects have not been documented.


   Depression of Humoral Responses and Phagocytic Functions in Vivo and in Vitro by Fish Oil and Eicosapentanoic Acid
Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1989 (Aug);   52 (2):   257–270
These effects of fish oil extracts and EPA on phagocytosis and humoral responses may be advantageously used in the therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases but could be a cause for concern when these compounds are used for longer periods of time and with minimal medical supervision for the prophylaxis of atherosclerosis.


   Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Health and Disease
           Nutr Res 1993:   13 (1) Suppl:   S19–S45
           In summary, the protective effects of omega-3 lipids have been explained based on changes in eicosanoid synthesis and the reduced risk of sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia, increased protection from ischemic myocardium, improved myocardial function and reduction of other cardiovascular and autoimmune disease risks.

  
Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Health and Disease and in Growth and Development
Am J Clin Nutr 1991 (Sep):   54 (3):   438–463
In clinical trials eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the form of fish oils along with antirheumatic drugs improve joint pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; have a beneficial effect in patients with ulcerative colitis; and in combination with drugs, improve the skin lesions, lower the hyperlipidemia from etretinates, and decrease the toxicity of cyclosporin in patients with psoriasis.


   Biological Effects of Fish Oils in Relation to Chronic Diseases
           Lipids 1986 (Dec);   21 (12):   731–732
           The low incidence of cardiovascular disease in Greenland Eskimos appears to be due to their high intake of seal, whale and fish. The lipids of these marine animals lower serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels and help to prevent blood clotting.


   Changes in Fatty Acid Composition, Platelet Aggregability and RBC Function in Elderly Subjects with Administration of Low–dose Fish Oil Concentrate and Comparison with Younger Subjects
Ronen Igakkai Zasshi 1994 (Aug);   31 (8):   596–603
In summary, low dose EPA administration can improve the function of platelet and RBC to an anti–thrombotic state and would be useful to prevent the occurrence of cerebrovascular diseases in elderly subjects without any side effects.

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Since 2-01-1998

Updated 7-17-2007