Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils have been attributed with a variety of health benefits, including protection from heart disease, cancer and other chronic diseases. The usefulness of fish oil for other conditions is a matter of intense scientific research -- and no small debate. According to an April 2011 review in "Drug Design, Development and Therapy," a large body of evidence indicates that pharmaceutical-grade omega-3s alleviate ulcerative colitis in animal models, but so far there is little evidence of benefit in humans with this condition.
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Many of the perceived health benefits from EPA and DHA, the principal omega-3s found in fish oil, stem from their ability to reduce inflammation in your tissues, including your gastrointestinal tract. By competing for the enzymes that manufacture prostaglandins, EPA and DHA directly interfere with the synthesis of inflammatory molecules. In addition, EPA and DHA are themselves converted to compounds -- protectins, resolvins and maresins -- that actively reduce inflammation. Therefore, consuming fish oil helps to fight inflammation in your body from two different directions.
Pharmaceutical Fish Oil
In contrast to many fish oil supplements on the market, pharmaceutical-grade fish oils are specially processed to remove more impurities, such as PCBs and mercury, and to allow concentration of the oils' important EPA and DHA constituents. These higher-quality oils are usually certified by independent third-party laboratories to meet minimum International Fish Oil Standards. For individuals with specific medical problems, such as extremely high triglyceride levels, a prescription-strength fish oil called Lovaza is available. People with ulcerative colitis should opt for higher-quality products if they choose to use fish oil.
Controversy
In the June 2010 issue of "Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine," scientists at London's University College Hospital reported the case of a 38-year-old woman whose recurrent and refractory ulcerative colitis was finally controlled and kept in remission by adding 1 gm of EPA and DHA twice daily to her usual medications. Her physicians proposed that administration of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil could prove useful for many such patients. In contrast, reviews in the July 2007 "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" and the January 2011 issue of "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" contended there is insufficient evidence to recommend omega-3 fatty acids for ulcerative colitis patients.
Considerations
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils are believed to help prevent a variety of chronic inflammatory disorders; however, their use in inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, is controversial. While some clinicians and researchers believe omega-3 fatty acids are useful in this context, scientific reviews do not lend support to this notion. Dosages of omega-3s used in clinical studies of inflammatory bowel disease -- and for treating other conditions, such as high triglycerides -- range from 2 to 4 gm daily, usually in divided doses. If you suffer from ulcerative colitis, ask your doctor if pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is appropriate for you.
References
- "Drug Design, Development and Therapy"; Current and Emerging Drugs for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease; J.K. Triantafillidis, et al.; April 2011
- "Circulation Research"; Novel Lipid Mediators Promote Resolution of Acute Inflammation: Impact of Aspirin and Statins; M. Spite, C.N. Serhan; November 2010
- "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) for Maintenance of Remission in Ulcerative Colitis; D. Turner, et al.; July 2007
- "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases"; Maintenance of Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses; D. Turner, et al.; January 2011
