Are there benefits from mixing fish oils and asthma treatment? Is this a natural cure for asthma?

Working as a Respiratory Therapist allows me to treat many patients with asthma. Statistics show more people are being diagnosed with asthma, compared to 10 years ago. What could be the reason for this increase? Pollution? Diet? Genetics?

Reading through an old National Geographic magazine, I remember reading an article about ancient Eskimos (now called Inuit) and their daily diet of fresh fish and seal blubber.

Scientists were curious why the Inuit had low rates of asthma compared to Westerners. One possibility is their diet was higher in omega 3 fatty acids due to all the fish they eat.

Could supplementing your diet with omega 3 fatty acids and fatty fish oils be a natural cure for asthma?

Oily fish and omega 3 fish oil supplements contain two omega 3 fatty acids:

1. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
2. Docohexaenoic acid (DHA)

Ask any doctor and they'll tell you asthma is a reversible lung condition including, but not limited to, inflammation of your airways. Research shows omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory. The question is if you can use these fatty acids to reduce your asthma symptoms. Let's take a closer look at the research on fish oils and asthma. You may be surprised at what the scientists found out....

Using Fish Oils to Prevent Exercise-Induced Asthma

Bloomington, Indiana - Researchers gave omega 3 fish oils to patients with Exercise-induced asthma. Exercise-induced asthma affects millions of people throughout North America. Its main symptom is shortness of breath during exercise and it's usually relieved with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Participants in this study took a daily dose of fish oil containing 3 grams of EPA and 2 grams of DHA. After 3 weeks of treatment, patients performed breathing tests before, during and after working out. Researchers were surprised by what they saw:

• Fish oils caused better performance on lung function tests, some to the point where there were no symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.
• Patients reduced their use of bronchodilator asthma drugs.
• Blood tests showed lower levels of inflammatory chemicals in the lungs.

Researchers concluded fish oils may be an effective way to reduce the inflammation seen in exercise-induced asthma and may lower the amount of asthma medication.

So far, this is a pretty impressive debut for fish oils and asthma research. But can this hardy marine oil prove equally well at treating childhood asthma?

Fish Oils and Asthma in Children

Japan - Seeking a natural cure for asthma, Japanese researchers compared the effects of fish oil or olive oil on a group of asthmatic children.

Now we know olive oil makes a great cooking oil; You can't argue with thousands of years of Mediterranean history. But can this oil prove fruitful in reducing asthma in children?

Children were given fish oils based on their bodyweight. Average dosages were 20 mg. of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 10 mg. of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) per kilogram of bodyweight. For an 80 lb. child, it works out to around 700 mg. of EPA and 360 mg. of DHA per day.

After 10 months of treatment, researchers found that children taking fish oils experienced:

• Decrease in asthma symptoms.
• Increased EPA levels in their blood.
• Lower likelihood for an asthmatic reaction.

Unfortunately, children taking olive oil had no decrease in their asthma symptoms. A similar study using adults taking 1800 mg. EPA in a supplement called Epadel showed improvements in asthma symptoms and lung tests.

Fish Oils may Reduce Inflammation in Asthma

South Carolina - What causes the inflammation seen in asthma patients? One substance responsible for the 'burn' in asthma are chemicals called Leukotrienes.

These substances are inflammatory chemicals produced during an allergic asthma attack. They cause airway inflammation and edema. Is it possible to reduce leukotriene levels with omega 3 fatty acids, thereby lessening asthma symptoms?

Scientists in South Carolina gave 43 adult patients with mild asthma either a daily supplement of EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and GLA (Gamma linoleic acid) or olive oil. Gamma linoleic acid is an omega 6 fatty acid found in black currants, evening primrose oil and some vegetable oils. They discovered that supplementing a diet with EPA and GLA lowered the levels of leukotrienes.

Unfortunately, researchers didn't look for any changes in asthma symptoms; only if there was a measurable decrease in leukotriene production.

However, it makes sense if you reduce the chemicals that cause inflammation in your lungs, you may reduce the onset of asthma symptoms brought on by substances that cause inflammatory-like conditions in the body.

Comments:

Looking at these studies on fish oils and asthma it appears you may get some benefits:

• Fish oils may reduce inflammation in the lung.
• May improve performance in lung function tests.
• May reduce the frequency to use breathing medications.

Four other studies using children and a diet of oily fish had similar positive results between fish oils and asthma.

Another factor to look at is whether the patients involved in these studies were using any breathing medications, which may affect the breathing tests. Some of these studies didn't discuss this factor.

Are fish oils a natural cure for asthma? Research shows promise in combining fish oils and asthma treatment plans. More research is needed to find improved treatments (and hopefully a cure) for asthma.

Fish Oils and Asthma - Choosing the Right Fish Oil

The research shows there may be some health benefits from using fish oils for asthma. While not everyone may benefit from these marine oils, certain individuals may experience positive results from their use. The important criteria is the use of high quality fish oils that provide proven anti-inflammatory effects.

One type of fish oil you may be interested in learning more about is Dr. Sears specialized high-dose fish oil called Zone Labs Omega 3 Concentrates. He claims these pharmaceutical-grade fish oils offer the highest level of omega 3 concentration and purity.

I looked at Dr. Sears' website and here's more information about them:

• Patented, highly purified and extremely powerful.
• Patented to assure superior inflammation control.
• Deemed one of the top performing oils for concentration of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, purity and oxidation by IFOS, the world's strictest lab.
• Twice as strong and 100 times more pure than fish oils sold in stores.
• Proven in studies to help you lose weight by satisfying your hunger and increase the breakdown of stored fat.
• Slows down the aging process and enhances your body's innate anti-inflammatory response.

One of the hallmark symptoms seen in asthma is inflammation. Research shows that if you reduce the amount of inflammation in your lungs, you may reduce the duration and intensity of asthma attacks. You may also reduce the amount of bronchodilator medications needed to keep your airways open.

The research on fish oils and asthma looks promising. If you want more information on Dr. Sears fish oils, click the banner below for more detailed information about Dr. Sears Zone Labs Fish Oils and learn how you can fight inflammation and optimize your health:

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