What is inflammation?

Inflammation is one of the body’s natural ways of protecting itself. It includes many chemical reactions that help to fight off infections, to increase blood flow to places that need healing, and to cause pain as a signal that something is wrong with the body. Unfortunately, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. A number of medical conditions are linked to too much inflammation in the body.

What are omega-3 fats?

There are two groups of fats that our bodies can’t make, omega-6’s and omega-3’s. These two groups have very different properties. Most omega-6 fats promote inflammation, while omega-3’s decrease it. For that reason, taking more omega-3’s might help prevent or treat health problems that are associated with inflammation. Our ancestors probably ate about the same amounts of omega-3’s as omega-6’s. Now on average we eat about 25 times more omega 6’s than omega 3’s. Fast foods, partially hydrogenated fats, most meats, and dairy products can all increase the inflammation in our bodies.

What does the research tell us?

There is a good chance that omega-3 fats can be helpful with any illness involving inflammation. Some diseases have been studied more than others. 

• Good research supports their use for:

• Prevention of heart disease
• Management of heart disease in patients who already have it
• High triglycerides
• High blood pressure (can give a drop of 4-15 for the top number and 2-8 for the bottom)
• Rheumatoid arthritis, especially managing symptoms
• Healthy infant development in pregnancy

• Fairly good research supports their use for:

• Cancer prevention, especially colon, esophageal, oral, rectal, breast, and prostate cancers
• Depression (especially associated with bipolar disorder)
• Prevention of dementia
• Management of ADHD
• Asthma
• Hereditary allergies (e.g., eczema, allergic dermatitis—an inflammation of the skin)
• Prevention of infections in children (in a small study)

• While more research remains to be done, omega-3 fats can also be considered for:

• Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and lupus
• Cystic fibrosis
• Chronic pain
• Osteoarthritis