Omega-3s Reduce Feelings of Unease and Balance Inflammatory Responses

A new clinical trial reports that omega-3 fatty acids promote a normal healthy inflammatory response and reduce feelings of unease in healthy young individuals. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are required in the diet, as the body cannot make them.

The subjects in this study included 68 medical students. The students were supplemented with 2.5 grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids consisting of 2,085 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 348 mg docosahexanoic acid (DHA) or a fatty acid placebo that was proportional to the fatty acids found in the typical American diet. Blood samples were taken from the students during periods of low stress and again on days leading up to an exam. The students were evaluated for mood and pro-inflammatory chemical mediators including interkeukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

The results indicated that the students supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids showed a 14 percent reduction in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-6 production, indicating an effect on inflammatory responses. The group supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids also demonstrated a 20 percent reduction in feelings of unease. Additionally, the study showed that the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids was related to inflammatory responses and mood. More specifically, decreasing omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids correlated to reduced TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 production and symptoms of unease.

The researchers stated that this study indicates that omega-3 fatty acids promote a balanced inflammatory response and provide the first evidence that omega-3 fatty acids reduce feelings of unease in healthy young individuals.

Reference:

Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Belury MA, Andridge R, Malarkey WB, Glaser R. Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Behav Immun. 2011 Jul 19. Published Online Ahead of Print.