Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Omega-3 supplementation lowered an inflammation marker by 14% and anxiety by 20% in medical students compared to control.
Are you stressed? Do you reach for that cup of coffee when you are stressed? How about taking your fish-oil supplement? Recent research shows that omega-3 oils, commonly found in fish oil supplements, reduce anxiety and inflammation related to stress (1).
The research included 68 medical students from 21-29 years of age (38 men, 30 women). The students were randomly divided into one of two groups:
– The omega-3 group received 2.496 g of omega-3 per day (2085 mg EPA*, 348 mg DHA*)
– The control group received a placebo with palm, olive, soy, canola and cocoa butter oils that approximated the saturated: monounsaturated: polysaturated fats consumed by US adults (37:42:21 respectively) (2).
Blood samples were collected at baseline at a low-stress time, three times the day before a major exam and two additional times at lower stress periods between exams. The final sample was collected about 3 months after supplementation began. The blood was measured for interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) both of which increase with inflammation in the body (1). Depression and anxiety scale questionnaires were administered at all visits.
By the third visit (after 3-weeks of supplementation), the blood levels of EPA and DHA were increased by 600% and 50% respectively in the omega-3 group and remained elevated at this level until the end of the study. There was no change in the placebo group (1).
After 3-months, the students in the omega-3 group showed a significant 14% decrease in the inflammatory marker interlukin 6 (p=0.04) and a borderline significant 14% decrease in the inflammatory marker tumor necrosis alpha (p=0.08) compared to controls (1). There was also a 20% reduction in anxiety (p=0.04) in the omega-3 group compared to controls (1).
This was the first randomized study to show omega-3 supplementation reduced anxiety symptoms in individuals without an anxiety disorder (1). This is also important since anxiety and depression have been shown in previous studies to increase inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-alpha), which can lead to chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and arthritis (3,4,5).
In conclusion, omega-3 supplementation lowered inflammation and anxiety in medical students (1). These results were seen in a healthy population, showing omega-3 supplementation could have important benefits in those that are already healthy (1). Future research with more participants could still be conducted.
*EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid
*DHA= docohexanoic acid
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com
Source: Kiecolt-Glaser, Janice K., et al. “Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: a randomized controlled trial.” Brain, behavior, and immunity 25.8 (2011): 1725-1734.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors or contributors
Posted September 13, 2012.
References:
- Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Behav Immun, 2011 doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2011.07.229.
- USDA Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals, 1994-1996.
Glaser R, Kiecolt-Glaser JK. Stress-induced immune dysfunction:implications for health. 2005. Nat Rev Immunol. 5, 243-251. - Raison Cl, et al. Cytokines sing the blues: inflammation and the pathogenesis of depression. 2006. Trends Immunol. 27, 24-31.
- Shelton RC, et al. Eating ourselves to death (and despair): the contribution of adiposity and inflammation to depression. 2010 Prog. Neurobiol. 91, 275-299.
