New Research Shows Anti-Inflammatory/ Immune System Protective Benefit of Eating Fish
November 20, 2009 Kyriaki (Sandy) Venetis We’ve known for a longtime that omega-3 fatty acids in fish have numerous health benefits. The Mayo Clinic has found evidence from multiple studies that recommend the intake of dietary fish or fish oil supplements to:
- Slightly lower blood pressure.
Foods and supplements rich in omega-3. By Medindia.com.
- Reduce the likelihood heart attacks.
- Reduce the likelihood of dangerous abnormal heart rhythms.
- Reduce the likelihood of strokes in people with known cardiovascular disease.
- Lower triglycerides (the chemical form in which most fat exists in food as well as in the body).
- Reduce inflammation related to rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks the joints), and Crohn’s Disease (an inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract).
Most recently, researchers from Queen Mary, University of London, and Harvard Medical School identified an anti-inflammatory compound called Resolvin D2, created from a component of omega-3.
The researchers found that Resolvin D2 acts as an anti-inflammatory, but doesn’t appear to suppress the immune system, unlike most current anti-inflammatory medications.
“We have known for some time that fish oils can help with conditions like arthritis, which are linked to inflammation. What we’ve shown here is how the body processes a particular ingredient of fish oil into Resolvin D2,” said Mauro Perretti, deputy director of the William Harvey Research Institute.
In more technical terminology, the study’s “results identify RvD2 as a potent endogenous (internal) regulator of excessive inflammation responses that act via multiple cellular targets to stimulate resolution and preserve immune vigilance.”
Absent from the study was how much omega-3 would provide optimal benefit, though the American Heart Association does make some recommendations in this area.
“We recommend eating fish, particularly fatty fish, at least two times a week,” said the AHA, which finds that fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon are among the highest in omega-3.
Presentation courtesy of Facts, Figures & the Future.
In addition, the AHA also recommends that “patients taking more than three grams of omega-3 fatty acids from capsules should do so only under a physician’s care. High intakes could cause excessive bleeding in some people.”
The Mayo Clinic also warns that “people with allergy or hypersensitivity to fish should avoid fish oil and omega-3 fatty acid products derived from fish.”
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