Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation in healthy middle-aged and older adults: a randomized controlled trial.
Observational studies have linked lower levels of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with inflammation and depression. This study was designed to determine whether n-3 supplementation would decrease serum cytokine production and depressive symptoms in 138 healthy middle-aged and older adults (average age=51.04, SD=7.76) who were sedentary and overweight (average BMI=30.59, SD=4.50). This three-arm randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind 4-month trial compared responses to (1) 2.5 g/d n-3 PUFAs, or (2) 1.25 g/d n-3 PUFAs, or (3) placebo capsules that mirrored the proportions of fatty acids in the typical American diet. Serum interleukin-6 decreased by 10% and 12% in our low and high dose n-3 groups, respectively, compared to a 36% increase in the placebo group. Similarly, low and high dose n-3 groups showed modest 0.2% and -2.3% changes in serum tumor necrosis factor alpha, compared to a 12% increase in the control group. Depressive symptoms were quite low at baseline and did not change significantly in response to supplementation. Our data suggest that n-3 PUFAs can reduce inflammation in overweight, sedentary middle-aged and older adults, and thus could have broad health benefits. These data provide a window into the ways in which the n-3 PUFAs may impact disease initiation, progression, and resolution. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00385723.
Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Ohio State University College of Medicine, OH 43210, USA. Janice.Kiecolt-Glaser@osumc.edu
Janice K
JK
Kiecolt-Glaser
Martha A
MA
Belury
Rebecca
R
Andridge
William B
WB
Malarkey
Beom Seuk
BS
Hwang
Ronald
R
Glaser
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D018401:Sample Size; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D055105:Waist Circumference
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha