Scientists at the US National Institutes of Health have found that omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in fish and fish oil supplements, can improve lung health. Research published American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
The first episode featured 15,063 Americans. At the start of the study, patients were generally healthy and most had no evidence of chronic lung disease. The mean age of the participants was 56, followed between the ages of seven and 20. The analysis showed that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in human blood were associated with slower deterioration in lung function. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in high amounts in oily fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines, had the greatest effect.
The researchers then analyzed the genetic data from a large study of European patients (over 500,000 participants) from UK Biobank. The results showed that genetic traits associated with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, were associated with better lung function.
The study is limited in that it only included healthy adults. Through an ongoing project, the researchers plan to evaluate the link between omega-3 fatty acids and the health of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
“We know a lot about the role of diet in cancer and cardiovascular disease, but the role of diet in chronic lung disease is little understood. This study adds to the growing evidence that omega-3 fatty acids, which are part of a healthy diet, may also be important for lung health.
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