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Health News Archive 363 - Lungs
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Omega-3 Fatty Acid Reduce COPD Symptoms

Sixty-four patients (mean age, 66 years) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were randomly assigned to receive 400 kcal/day of a nutritional supplement that was either high (0.6 g/day) (omega-3 group) or low (0.07 g/day) (control group) in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (mainly alpha-linolenic acid) for two years. 

In six-minute walk testing, both dyspnea and the decrease of arterial oxygen saturation significantly improved in the omega-3 group.  Leukotriene B4 levels in serum and sputum and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-8 levels in sputum decreased significantly in the omega-3 group, but did not change in the control group.

Comment by Alan R. Gaby, MD

These results indicate that supplementation with a modest [small] dose of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for two years reduced inflammatory markers and improved exercise tolerance in patients with COPD.  Most patients with COPD have a broad range of nutritional deficiencies, and a comprehensive nutritional-support program (including adequate amounts of calories and protein) may be beneficial. 

Aside from omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients that have been shown to improve clinical status include magnesium, N-acetylcycteine, L-carnitine, and creatine. In addition, food allergy is sometimes a contributing factor to the chronic bronchitis component of COPD.  Inhaled glutathione has been used empirically by some practitioners, and the results have been highly encouraging.

Source: Matsuyama W, et al. Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on inflammatory markers in COPD. Chest. 2005;128:3817-3827.

Reprinted with exclusive permission of The Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients July 2006.

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