Omega-3 fatty acids appear promising for maintaining lung health

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in fish and fish oil supplements, appear promising for maintaining lung health, according to new study in healthy adults supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Omega-3 fatty acids appear promising for maintaining lung health. Photo: Sam Moghadam Khamseh/Unsplash

“We know a lot about the role of diet in cancer and cardiovascular diseases, but the role of diet in chronic lung disease is somewhat understudied,” said corresponding author Patricia A. Cassano, Ph.D., director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

There’s increased interest in trying to understand whether nutritional interventions could contribute to lung disease prevention efforts. Past studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may help, due largely to their established anti-inflammatory actions.

The study showed that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in a person’s blood were associated with a reduced rate of lung function decline.

The researchers observed the strongest associations for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is found at high levels in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines. DHA is also available as a dietary supplement.

In addition to fish and fish oil, other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include nuts and seeds, plant oils, and fortified foods.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Scientists discover clues to aging and healing from a squishy sea creature

A relative of jellyfish and corals regrows its entire body with help from “aging” cells.

Intraocular corticosteroids best for treating complications of chronic inflammatory eye condition

Repeat treatment with corticosteroid injections improved vision in people with persistent or recurrent uveitis-related macular edema better than two other therapies.

DNA discovery highlights how we maintain healthy blood sugar levels after meals

A study of the DNA of more than 55,000 people worldwide has shed light on how we maintain healthy blood sugar levels after we have eaten, with implications for our understanding of how the process goes wrong in type 2 diabetes.

Mediterranean Diet's Cellular Benefits Unveiled in New Study

A new study led by Stanford School of Medicine researchers has shed light on one of the cellular mechanisms behind the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which is known to promote longevity and overall well-being compared to diets high in fast food, meat, and dairy.

Brain signatures for chronic pain identified in a small group of individuals

For the first time, researchers have recorded pain-related data from inside the brain of individuals with chronic pain disorders caused by stroke or amputation (phantom limb pain).

Vigorous exercise not tied to increased risk of adverse events in rare heart condition

Vigorous exercise does not appear to increase the risk of death or life-threatening arrhythmia for people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), according to a study.