Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can interfere with your quality of sleep and possibly jeopardize your health. While a number of treatments, including breathing apparatuses, some medications and lifestyle changes can help, some research has shown that fish oil may also offer certain benefits. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplements.
About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by frequent interruptions in your breathing while you sleep. You might not even be aware that you have sleep apnea, unless your partner complains of loud snoring or you visit the doctor for other related symptoms. Symptoms that often occur in conjunction with sleep apnea include daytime sleepiness, agitated mood, morning headaches, snoring and, in some cases, impotence and high blood pressure. There are two forms of sleep apnea. The most common type in overweight individuals, known as obstructive sleep apnea, occurs due to a relaxing of your throat muscles, which blocks your airways. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that help you breathe, causing pauses in your breathing. Losing weight and increasing your intake of healthy fats, like the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, may offer some relief to people with sleep apnea.
Fish Oil Benefits
Fish oil contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients that are required for maintaining proper health. Since your body cannot manufacture them, you have to obtain omega-3 fatty acids from dietary sources. Omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation and help to combat oxidative stress, according to Binyamin Rothstein, M.D., in his book "Brain Fog." Oxidative stress is a type of stress that occurs due to a lack of oxygen in your body, according to a clinical review published in the February 2003 issue of the journal "Sleep Medicine Reviews." Sleep apnea places an enormous amount of stress on your body and may be responsible for oxidative stress. In addition, oxidative stress can play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease, which is often closely correlated with sleep apnea. Some research shows that fish oil may help to combat oxidative stress related to sleep apnea.
Evidence
As of the date of this publication, only one report shows the potential benefits of fish oil's omega-3 fatty acids for patients with sleep apnea. At the American College of Chest Physicians 74th Annual Scientific Assembly as reported by Medscape News, researchers report that patients with sleep apnea have lower levels of a specific type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil known as docosahexaenoic acid. Researchers hypothesize that omega-3 supplementation may help to decrease the severity of sleep apnea and help to replenish the body's supplies of omega-3 fatty acids, which are quickly used up by patients with sleep apnea. More clinical studies are needed to fully evaluate the benefits of fish oil for patients with sleep apnea.
Considerations
While fish oil may provide some benefit for patients with sleep apnea, you should not rely on dietary supplementation to self-treat your symptoms. Sleep apnea should be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. Inform your doctor if you choose to use a fish oil supplement. Fish oil supplements may interact with certain medications and can cause unpleasant side effects.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Sleep Apnea
- "Brain Fog: Solve the Mysteries of Decreased Mental Capacity and Keep Your Brain Fit and Functional Throughout Your Life"; Binyamin Rothstein, D.O.; 2005
- "Sleep Medicine Reviews"; Obstructive Sleep Apnoea - An Oxidative Stress Disorder; L. Lavie; February 2003
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
