Asthma is a respiratory condition that occurs when the airways become inflamed and narrowed, causing breathing problems, coughing and wheezing. Asthma is usually treated with a combination of inhaled bronchodilators that help relax the airways and ease breathing difficulties and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the airways. Polyunsaturated acids such as the omega-3s may help reduce inflammation in both children and adults with asthma, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. However, scientific evidence to prove they work is inconclusive. Talk to your doctor about incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your asthma treatment program.
Sources and Dosing
Oily fish such as herring, salmon, tuna and mackerel are an abundant source of the omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. You can also get your omega-3s by taking a fish oil supplement. Flaxseed and linseed oil also contain small amounts. The amount you need to take may vary according to your medical history and general health, but Medline Plus recommends that you do not take more than 3g of fish oil daily. Ask your doctor about the right dose for you.
Efficacy
The results of a study published in the November 2009 issue of the "International Archives of Allergy and Immunology" demonstrate that polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce bronchial inflammation after low-dose allergen challenge. Efficacy may depend on the form of omega-3 fatty acid used, according to the results of a study published in the February 2009 issue of "Clinical Nutrition." Lead author T.D. Nickleborough says that eicosapentaenoic acid is a more potent inhibitor of inflammatory responses in asthmatics than docosahexaenoic acid.
Safety Considerations
Taking a fish oil supplement may cause side effects, including belching, diarrhea and bloating, and taking more than 3g daily may increase the risk of bleeding. Ask your doctor about taking a fish oil supplement if you have a bleeding disorder. Omega-3 fatty acids may interact with a number of drugs, including anti-coagulants, diabetes drugs and topical steroids. If you are unsure whether taking a fish oil supplement is safe for you, talk to your doctor.
Expert View
Writing in the June 2007 issue of the medical journal "Thorax," Johanna Feary and John Britton from the Division of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Nottingham in England, say that there is no clinical proof that a single dietary supplement can treat asthma symptoms. As such, they suggest that instead of relying on supplements to ease symptoms, asthma sufferers should focus on eating a healthy balanced diet to support their overall health.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Omega-3
- Medline Plus: Fish Oil
- PubMed: Effect of N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Asthma After Low-Dose Allergen Challenge
- PubMed: Eicosapentaenoic Acid is More Effective than Docosahexaenoic Acid in Inhibiting Proinflammatory Mediator Production and Transcription from LPS-Induced Human Asthmatic Alveolar Macrophage Cells
- "Thorax": Dietary Supplements and Asthma: Another One Bites the Dust
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