Omega-3 fatty acids are at type of polyunsaturated fat essential for normal body functioning. These fats are incorporated into the membranes of cells, and have roles in production of hormones that regulate blood clotting and inflammatory processes. Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids helps lower blood pressure, keeps your heart and blood vessels healthy, and may have anti-inflammatory effects.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in and progressive degeneration of joints. Fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids do reduce the joint pain and stiffness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Additionally, taking fish oil may be reduce the amount of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often abbreviated NSAIDS, people with rheumatoid arthritis need take to manage pain and reduce inflammation.
Asthma
Studies investigating whether omega-3 fatty acids benefit the chronic inflammatory respiratory disease asthma have thus far had mixed results. The hypothesis is that omega-3 fats may reduce the incidence and severity of asthma because these fats are known to regulate the inflammatory protein PGE2. However, the many studies that have investigated the effects of DHA and EPA on asthma in adults and children have not been able to be considered together because they were not well designed or reported thoroughly.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
A common topic of investigation is whether omega-3 fats are effective in treating or preventing inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBS, which include Chron's disease and ulcerative colitis. The results of these studies, like those for asthma, are also mixed. More studies are needed before a conclusion can be made about the effectiveness of these healthy fats on IBS. However, eating high amounts of fish oil, a major source of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, can cause symptoms similar to IBS.
Types of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The three principle types of omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA; eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. ALA is the most common omega-3 fat in diets, according to Harvard School of Public Health. Common foods rich in ALA include: nuts, especially walnuts; vegetable oils, such as canola oil and olive oil; flaxseed and flaxseed oil; and leafy vegetables. EPA and DHA are found mostly in fish, such as salmon and mackerel. Most studies investigating the effects of omega-3 fatty acids test them in the form of fish oil.
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