Deutsche Version
Homepage Intercell Pharma

Omega-3 fatty acids: Beneficial effects on the metabolism for overweight people

(Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;96:1137-49)

Omega-3 fatty acids: Beneficial effects on the metabolism for overweight people

Omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect on “low grade inflammation” for overweight people. This provides the possibility of counteracting the excessive inflammatory response, as is characteristic for obesity and the diseases associated with it.

Background: Fatty tissue not only stores energy; in fact, it functions as a type of endocrine organ that synthesises a variety of inflammatory metabolic mediators. Excess weight and obesity entail chronic inflammation (low grade inflammation), and in this way, encourage the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) have an anti-inflammatory effect as well as having a positive effect on cardiometabolic risk.

Description of the study: A team of Austrian scientists has now investigated the question of whether omega-3 fatty acids positively influence the occurrence of inflammation in overweight people.
To this end, the researchers recruited 55 obese patients (with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or greater) between the ages of 20 and 65. In accordance with the randomisation, a proportion of the subjects were given a preparation containing omega-3 fatty acids (3.36 g EPA and DHA per day); the participants from the control group were “treated” with an equivalent quantity of butterfat. Before beginning the eight-week study, the fatty acid profile and the concentration of inflammatory mediators in the blood as well as the gene expression profile of the fatty tissue were determined for each of the study participants.

Results: Administration of omega-3 fatty acids had positive effects on the metabolic processes in many respects. The fatty acid profile of the blood changed in the direction of an “anti-inflammatory profile”, characterised by an increase in the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. In parallel to this, there was a decrease in inflammatory factors (including interleukin-6) that facilitate insulin resistance.
In the fatty tissue, it could also be shown that omega-3 fatty acids down-regulate the activity of inflammatory genes. On the other hand, the quantity of the protective resolvins (resolvin E1) and protectins (protectin D1) formed from DHA and EPA increased.

The anti-inflammatory activity of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA & DHA

Die antientzündliche Aktivität der langkettigen Omega-3-Fettsäuren EPA & DHA

Assessment: The methodologically and skilfully designed study is the first of its kind to prove that omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect on low grade inflammation for overweight people. This provides the possibility of counteracting the excessive inflammatory response, as is characteristic for obesity and the diseases associated with it. Therefore, overweight people with an increased cardiometabolic risk should thus make sure that they have a sufficient intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (500-1,000 mg/day).

 

© 2024 Intercell Pharma GmbH • Altlaufstrasse 42 • 85635 Höhenkirchen • Mail:
Phone: +49 8102 80 650-0 • Fax: +49 8102 80 650-299 • Legal informationSitemap • All rights reserved.