Anti Inflammatory Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Although fat is often treated like a nutritional pariah, not all fats are bad. Your body needs fat for functions such insulation or body temperature regulation and as a source of energy. Omega 3 fatty acids are one of two major types of polyunsaturated fats. They form a major part of all cell membranes in your body and have anti-inflammatory properties that help to keep you healthy.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

During metabolism, omega 3 fatty acids are converted into molecules called prostaglandins. Of the three types of prostaglandins --- PG1, PG2 and PG3 --- PG1 and PG3 have anti-inflammatory abilities. PG1 directly reduces inflammation, while one of PG3's most important functions is to reduce the rate of formation of PG2, the prostaglandin that increases inflammation in your body.

Effects of Inflammation

Inflammation is an immune response when tissue injury occurs and is characterized by pain, swelling, heat and redness. Short-term, localized inflammation may be brought on by trauma or infection, and inflammation plays an active role in helping your body heal. However, when inflammation becomes long-term or chronic --- such as in the case of a viral infection or an autoimmune reaction --- it destroys cells and tissues and increases your risk of medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis and cancer.

Benefits for Inflammatory Diseases

By reducing inflammation, omega 3 fatty acids might help prevent or treat medical conditions associated with inflammation. Inflammatory health conditions that omega 3 fatty acids might benefit include heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disorder. This fat might also be beneficial for skin conditions such as dermatitis, macular degeneration and some forms of cancer, including colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. However, more studies are needed to confirm the benefits of omega 3 for some of these conditions, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Evidence

In a 2002 review published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," author A.P. Simopoulos of the Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health points out that animal experiments and clinical studies indicate that omega 3 fats have anti-inflammatory properties. Also, many of the placebo-controlled trials using omega 3-rich fish oil to treat chronic inflammatory diseases show that the oil provides significant benefits such as decreased disease activity and a lower dependence on anti-inflammatory drugs. Simopoulos adds that the omega 3 fatty acids contained in fish oil are more biologically potent than alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, that is found in plant-based foods such as flaxseed, walnuts and green leafy vegetables.

Sources

Omega 3 fats are known as essential fatty acids because your body cannot produce them; you must get them from food. The typical American diet features more of the other type of polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega 6 fatty acids, most of which promote inflammation. To restore a healthier balance, eat more omega 3-rich foods such as salmon, trout, herring, tuna, mackerel and sardines. Good plant sources include nuts, seeds and plant-based oils such as olive, flaxseed and walnut. If you take a supplement, do not exceed more than 3 grams daily without consulting your doctor, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center.