In autoimmune diseases, your immune system mistakes healthy cells for foreign cells and starts attacking them. Omega-3s can combat some of these diseases and may be especially important during early life.
Studies show that getting enough omega-3s during your first year of life is linked to a reduced risk of many autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, autoimmune diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Omega-3s also help treat lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and psoriasis.
What is Omega 3
Omega-3 fatty acids are fats that affect many bodily functions, from blood clotting to inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are nutrients that you can only get through certain foods. The human body does not produce these nutrients naturally.
There are three kinds of omega-3 fatty acids:
- alpha-linoleic acid (ALA): found in oils, vegetables, and nuts
- eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): found mainly in fish
- docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): found in fish and shellfish
ALA, EPA, and DHA are polyunsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats may not contribute to plaque buildup in your artery walls. They promote a healthy heart because they lower triglyceride levels and blood pressure levels in some people.
Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that affects approximately 1.25 million adults and children in the United States. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system does not recognize its own beta cells, so it attacks and destroys them. Beta cells are responsible for creating insulin. Type 1 diabetes is one prime example, in which your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.
New research, however, may pave the way for novel, more efficient therapies for type 1 diabetes, as omega-3 fatty acids are found to reduce the autoimmune responses typical of the disease.
Consider the fact that omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help people control their body weight and their blood sugar, and it’s easy to see why experts recommend them as part of a healthy diet if you have diabetes.
Arthritis
The term “arthritis” is derived from two Greek words: “arthro,” meaning “joint,” and “itis,” meaning “inflammation.” There are over 100 different types of arthritis, and all of them affect the joints.
The most common is osteoarthritis (OA). It attacks the tough, flexible cartilage in and around the joint. Caused mainly by wear and tear, osteoarthritis generally affects older people.
The second most common form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the joint’s synovial capsule and other soft tissues. Both types of arthritis cause inflammation and pain in the joints.
For the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil to work against arthritis, it’s necessary to consume a fairly large quantity of it each day.
IBD: Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s
Omega-3 fatty acids have been studied for their potential as a treatment option for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If you have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, vitamin and mineral supplements may be recommended, especially if you are at risk for nutritional deficiencies. Deficiencies can be caused by certain medications, surgeries, or active inflammation from IBD, which can affect your body’s ability to absorb certain vitamins and minerals.
Omega-3 fatty acids, often found in fish oil, are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and several other health benefits. Some people use omega-3 fatty acids to help relieve intestinal inflammation from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Fish oil supplements and omega-3 fatty acids have been studied for several years as a complementary or alternative treatment for IBD (Crohn's disease in particular). Some researchers suggest that fish oil may work by reducing existing inflammation. Some early studies showed that fish oil supplements might be helpful for people with IBD.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation. The most common symptom of psoriasis is dry, scaly patches of itchy skin. There are several treatment options for psoriasis, but there is no cure for it.
Having psoriasis is a risk factor for heart disease and psoriatic arthritis. It’s important to have your psoriasis diagnosed properly before starting any traditional or holistic treatment.
If you have been diagnosed with psoriasis, you may have heard that certain diet adjustments can lessen symptoms. Omega-3s are one of the most proven and popular diet inclusions that doctors recommend for psoriasis.
Omega-3s have been shown to have various health benefits, which include improving skin conditions. Research has suggested that omega-3s may improve various signs and symptoms of psoriasis.
A comprehensive review of scientific studies, published in the Journal of the American Academy of DermatologyTrusted Source, shows that omega-3 improved people’s psoriasis symptoms in 12 out of 15 trials.
The benefits included improvements in skin reddening, itching, scaling, and inflammation.
The researchers suggest that when taken orally, omega-3 was most effective over a period of 3 months or longer.
Supplements are a more convenient option for omega-3s, particularly when someone does not eat fish or seafood. Depending on a person’s preference, they can choose from a range of popular sources of omega-3 supplements.