Omega Omega –3 fatty acids in inflammation:3 fatty acids in inflammation: Actions &impact on rheumatoid arthritis,Actions &impact on rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma inflammatory bowel disease and asthma
Philip Calder Philip Calder Professor of Nutritional Immunology Professor of Nutritional Immunology University of Southampton University of SouthamptonSummary.
Summary:
- Eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid are involved as mediators and regulators of inflammation
- EPA and DHA from oily fish/ fish oil can partially replace arachidonic acid in membrane phospholipids
- W-3 fatty acids (especially EPA) lead to decreased production of eicosanoids from arachidonic acid
- EPA and DHA give rise to anti –inflammatory resolvins (cell culture & animal work)
- W-3 fatty acids lead to decreased production of inflammatory cytokines
- Through these effects W-3 fatty acids act to decrease inflammation
- W-3 fatty acids may protect against and provide therapy for diseases with an overt orcovert inflammatory component
- Evidence for therapeutic benefit from n-3 fatty acids is reasonably strong in RA but is weaker elsewhere — doses used are quite high (approx.3.5 g/ day)
- a-Linolenic acid is not anti –inflammatory at intakes <10 g/d