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EPA and DHA Coach Immune Cells Towards Resolution

Posted by Geoff Beaty on 9 October 2021
EPA and DHA Coach Immune Cells Towards Resolution

In industrialised countries, modern diets provide an abundance of omega-6 polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) relative to omega-3 PUFAs, and this is known to contribute to the incidence of cardiovascular conditions along with the chronic immune activation seen in atopic and inflammatory disorders.

Nutrition research has shown that an intervention as simple as increasing dietary intakes of EPA and DHA relative to common omega-6 fats could effectively improve cardiovascular outcomes in individuals and population-wide.

In this laboratory study, researchers investigated multiple ways by which EPA and DHA influence immune cell populations and function.

They also observed changes in the composition of immune cell membranes after treatment with these essential fats.

The results show that each of these mechanisms contribute to the many immunomodulatory actions of omega-3 fats.

Reference:

Gutiérrez, S., Svahn, S. L., & Johansson, M. E. (2019). Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Immune Cells. International journal of molecular sciences, 20(20), 5028. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20205028

Author:Geoff Beaty
Tags:NewsPrevention & RecoveryEvidence Based ResearchCancerchemotherapy side effectsCardiovascular Health

Associations

  • The Institute for Functional Medicine
  • Society for Integrative Oncology
  • Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia
  • Australian Traditional-Medicine Society
  • British Naturopathic Association