Over 20 million Americans suffer from asthma, a chronic inflammatory disorder that results in episodes of wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness and chronic dry cough. Many patients are prescribed a multitude of prescription medications to help control symptoms, often with numerous adverse effects. As well, long term use can result in decreased effectiveness of the medications, leading many people to explore natural therapies. A review article published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2004;10(6):1067-1075) concludes that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, especially pharmaceutical grade fish oil, may be a viable treatment modality and/or adjunct therapy in treating the airway hyper-responsiveness found in asthmatics.
Many studies have shown the link between essential fatty acids and the inflammatory cascade, characteristic of chronic inflammatory disorders, like asthma. In particular, omega-3 fatty acids, like EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), exert anti-inflammatory effects by directly inhibiting production of certain cells that release inflammatory biochemicals. Epidemiologic studies of populations that consume higher dietary levels of these fatty acids have reduced risk of asthma. Interventional trials where subjects with asthma are administered omega-3 fatty acids have shown mixed results, which most likely reflects the outcome measurements, the duration of the trial, dose, product contamination and confounding prescription medications.
However, pharmaceutical grade fish oil (which is not contaminated with PCBs, lead, mercury and various other toxic substances and has higher levels of long chain omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA) has been examined in the treatment of asthma, exhibiting the most consistent and effective results. Some studies with fish oil have also shown effectiveness in reducing exercise induced asthma attacks (bronchoconstriction). The authors suggest the possibility of reducing prescription medications when using this type of fish oil supplementation.
Do not attempt to change doses of prescription medications without consulting your primary care physician.
Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 21, 2006 01:05 PM
