Research on Fish Oils
and Asthma

Do you suffer from asthma and want to know if you can use fish oils to treat it?

Latest research indicates that fish oils may help asthma by:

• Reducing airway inflammation

• Reducing exercise-induced asthma

• Improve lung function tests

• Reducing use of bronchodilator drugs

What is Asthma?

Asthma is classically defined as a chronic lung disease marked by inflammation and reversible airway restriction.

Asthma statistics compiled from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology show more than 4.3 million people have been diagnosed with asthma from 2001 to 2009.

While researchers aren't exactly sure why there's an increase, they believe diet, pollution and other external factors may be responsible.

Fish contains omega 3 fatty acids

And just for trivia sake, did you know that Inuit (Eskimo) populations in the North Pole rarely had asthma compared to other people?

Researchers believe the Inuits' diet high in seafood and oily fish may have helped reduced their risk for asthma.

Fatty fish and fish oils are a natural source of healthy omega 3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

These fatty acids have been proven to reduce inflammation, support nerve function and optimize your heart health health.

The following research studies take a closer look at the fish oils and asthma:

1. Fish Oils Reduce Exercise-induced Asthma

Bloomington, Indiana - Researchers gave omega 3 fish oils to patients with exercise-induced asthma to determine if omega 3 fatty acids would lessen the frequency or severity of asthma attacks brought on by exercise.

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 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 2 grams of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

After 3 weeks of treatment, patients performed breathing tests before, during and after working out. The results were as follows:

• The fish oil group exhibited better performance on lung function tests; some to the point where there were no symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.

• The fish oil group reduced their use of bronchodilator asthma drugs.

• The fish oil group's blood tests showed lower levels of inflammatory chemicals in the lungs.

Based on these results, researchers concluded fish oils may be an effective method to reduce inflammation in exercise-induced asthma and may lower the amount of asthma medication needed to control symptoms.

2. Use of Fish Oils and Asthma in Children

Japan - In this study, Japanese researchers compared the effects of fish oil or olive oil on a group of asthmatic children.

Now we know olive oil is a healthy oil and it makes a great cooking oil. 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, this worked out to about 700 mg. of EPA and 360 mg. of DHA per day.

After ten months of treatment, researchers found:

• Fish oils helped decrease asthma symptoms.
• Fish oils increased EPA levels in the blood.
• Fish oils help lower the likelihood for an asthmatic attack.

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

3. Omega 3 Fatty Acids reduce Inflammation

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 and they cause airway inflammation and edema.

Is it possible to reduce leukotriene levels with omega 3 fatty acids, thereby lessening asthma symptoms?

Anatomy of Heart and Lungs

Scientists in South Carolina gave 43 adult patients with mild asthma 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.

Researchers found that participants supplementing their diets with EPA and GLA showed lower levels of leukotrienes.

Scientists concluded that GLA and EPA may help lower leukotriene levels in asthma patients; however, there's no indication in this study if these patients also saw a decrease in asthma attacks due to the lower leukotriene levels.

Researchers hypothesize that while asthma may involve a complex interaction between nerve cells, inflammatory mediators, lipids and other factors; varying only one group of these causative factors may not be enough to cause a noticeable clinical difference in airway function.

4. Effect of Fish Oil Lipids on Asthma

London - Researchers at Department of Medicine, Guy's Hospital studied the effects of omega 3 fatty acids on suppressing inflammatory markers in asthma patients.

Twelve (12) asthma patients received a daily dose of 3.2 grams EPA and 2.2 grams DHA; another group received a placebo of olive oil for 10 weeks.

Patients were measured for airway responsiveness to histamine (a potent bronchoconstrictor), peak expiratory lung flows and bronchodilator use during the study.

Researchers found that in spite of a 10 times increase in EPA levels, there was no significant change in airway responsiveness to histamine, peak lung flows or other clinical parameters.

Researchers concluded that fish oils do not cause any significant change in airway function in mild asthmatics.

5. Does Diet increase your risk for Asthma?

Does diet affect asthma?

Boston - What role does diet play in the risk for developing asthma?

One of the largest studies conducted over a 10 year period on 77,866 women, aged 34 to 68 years old, looked at intake of omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants and the risk for asthma.

Researchers found that vitamins C and E may have a mild protective effect; however, they saw no relationship omega 3 fatty acid intake and the incidence for developing asthma. In other words, scientists found no relationship between fish oils and asthma; omega 3 fatty acids did not increase or decrease the risk for developing asthma.

Editorial Comments on Fish Oils and Asthma Research:

Can fish oils lessen asthma symptoms?

While some of the above research studies on fish oil and asthma are encouraging, there is conflicting evidence to suggest any concrete recommendations.

Some of the studies used a small number of test subjects which may not prove reproducible with a larger pool of people. It was noted that some fish oil and asthma studies used different omega 3 dosages; the duration of each study as well as the use of breathing medications and corticosteroids may also affect results.

More research is needed on fish oils and asthma in order to reach a definitive conclusion on their use for relieving asthma symptoms.

Suggested Guidelines for Using Fish Oils for Asthma

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fats and you need them in your diet for proper cellular support and nerve function. EPA and DHA fatty acids have been proven to offer anti-inflammatory effects.

Should you decide to include fish oils or omega 3 fatty acids in your diet, you need to follow some important guidelines:

• Consult with your doctor before beginning any new nutritional supplement or treatment plan that may affect your asthma treatment.

• Do not stop taking your prescribed medications (bronchodilators, inhalers, corticosteroids) unless directed by your physician.

• You may need to closely monitor your pulmonary function tests and medication plans during your fish oil regimen to determine if you're getting a therapeutic dosage.

• Immediately report to your doctor or Emergency Room if your asthma is getting worse, or you're taking increasing amounts of inhalers to control your breathing.

Fish Oils and Asthma - Choosing the Best Fish Oil

OmegaRX- A high concentration omega 3 supplement

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 and corticosteroid medications needed to keep your airways open.

While there are conflicting reports, there may be some health benefits from using fish oils for asthma.

While not everyone may benefit from these marine oils, some individuals may experience positive results from their use.

The most important factor to getting an anti-inflammatory response is by using a highly purified product that provides high concentrations of omega 3 fatty acids.

Asthma can be treated and controlled if you follow prescribed medical treatment; including proper use of bronchodilators, monitoring peak flows, following a healthy lifestyle and avoiding triggers that may exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Research References:

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