Anti-Inflammatory, Infant Development and Mental Health Benefits of Omega-3s Confirmed

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 03 Apr 2005 - 20:00 PDT

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Recent research in the March 2005 PUFA Newsletter helps explain why the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC-PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) diminishes inflammatory responses in various tissues and clinical conditions. New data also support positive associations between n-3 LC-PUFAs, infant development and mental health.

The lead study describes how EPA operates in controlling excessive immune and inflammatory responses. It also indicates that in the presence of aspirin, EPA generates a newly identified category of anti-inflammatory substances called resolvins. Other new findings suggest that fish consumption, which provides n-3 LC-PUFAs, is associated with reduced risk of clogged carotid arteries.

In stark contrast to most research, a recent study on abnormal heartbeats in Danish adults reported no benefit related to fish consumption. Another study indicated that greater fish consumption was associated with modestly reduced mortality from all causes after adjustment for age and energy consumption. However, the associations were not statistically significant when other risks such as alcohol consumption and smoking were considered.

"The observations would be consistent with a threshold effect for n-3 LC- PUFAs in protecting against cardiovascular mortality," noted PUFA Newsletter editor Joyce Nettleton, DSc, RD.

Other research reviewed in the March 2005 PUFA Newsletter shows the importance of the n-3 LC-PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in maternal and infant diets, supporting the recent regulatory decision to supplement infant formula with DHA and arachidonic acid. It also indicates that adding n-3 LC- PUFAs or at least DHA to weaning foods, along with educating mothers about food sources of DHA for their infants, could provide measurable benefits in infant development.

"Outreach to mothers and by extension all women of child-bearing age about the nutritional value of dietary n-3 LC-PUFAs is long overdue," Nettleton said.

Finally, new data from Finland are consistent with previous reports linking depression with infrequent fish consumption. Among young Finnish women, depression was 30 to 40 percent more likely in those who rarely ate fish compared to those eating fish regularly.

Sponsored by DSM Nutritional Products, the quarterly PUFA Newsletter is online at http://www.fatsoflife.com and by complimentary electronic subscription at fatsoflife.com/subscribe.asp .

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