Omega-3s are touted by practitioners of alternative and conventional medicine. They are championed by the American Heart Association because they decrease risk of arrhythmias, lower blood pressure and decrease triglyceride levels. Such results are of interest because heart disease is the leading cause of death among kidney patients. Preliminary studies also suggest that omega-3s can slow down the progression of kidney disease.
Definitions
"Omega 3" is shorthand for omega 3 fatty acids.This family of lipids is essential to remaining healthy. You must get omega-3s in your diet because your body does not make them. Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid -- otherwise known as EPA and DHA, respectively -- are the important omega-3 fatty acids with respect to kidney disease.
Research
The first inkling that omega-3 fatty acids might benefit kidney patients appeared in a 1994 report by James Donadio of the Mayo Clinic. A subsequent paper in 1999 reported on a long-term study on the use of high doses of EPA and DHA given to IgA nephropathy patients. These studies suggested that these omega-3 fatty acids slow down the progression of this chronic kidney disease.
Dosages
Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, albacore tuna, and lake trout and sardines. Although they are found in flax seed oil, only fish oil contains anywhere near the amount of EPA and DHA used in Dr. Donadio's study. Donadio's patients received a dose of 1.9 g of EPA and 1.4 g of DHA per day. This dosage was achieved by taking 12 g of fish oil.
Warning
Although Donadio's work has never been replicated, many nephrologists find it so promising they recommend fish oil to patients with chronic kidney disease. However, although fish oil is well-tolerated by most people, it is not for everyone. It may enhance the anti-platelet affects of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 fatty acids
- MayoClinic.com: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid
- "Journal of the American Society of Nephrology;" The Long-Term Outcome of Patients with IgA Nephropathy Treated with Fish Oil in a Controlled Trial; James V. Donadio, MD; Aug, 1999
- American Heart Association: Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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