Help control tissue-damaging inflammatory processes with a bit of fish oil.

Chronic inflammation of body tissues may play a role in the pathology of many diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. However, a new study reveals omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may help reduce inflammation. Seek out a serving of oily fish such as salmon or tuna each week.

Inflammation is the body's immune response to injury and infection. However, evidence suggests chronic inflammation can damage tissues, contributing to heart and blood vessel disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and many other conditions. In a recent study, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the essential omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, helped reduce skin and abdominal inflammation. EPA also limited several processes associated with inflammation, such as the movement of immune cells known as dendritic cells and the production of interleukin 12, a chemical messenger that enhances the immune response. Steer clear of large, long-lived fish, such as sea bass, swordfish, and king mackerel, because they have the greatest likelihood of being contaminated with unacceptably high levels of mercury from the environment. Safer fish choices include salmon, pollock, sole, and chunk light tuna.

Controlling inflammation: a fat chance? Flower, R. J., Perretti, M., The Journal of Experimental Medicine 2005 Mar 7;201(5):671-674.

Stereochemical assignment, antiinflammatory properties, and receptor for the omega-3 lipid mediator resolvin E1. Arita, M., Bianchini, F., Aliberti, J., Sher, A., Chiang, N., Hong, S., Yang, R., Petasis, N. A., Serhan, C. N., The Journal of Experimental Medicine 2005 Mar 7;201(5):713-722.