Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid : Part 3

by MedlinePlus

(Page 3 of 6)

Nephrotic syndrome

There is not enough reliable evidence to form a clear conclusion in this area.

Lupus erythematosus

There is not enough reliable evidence to form a clear conclusion in this area.

Psoriasis

Several studies in this area do not provide enough reliable evidence to form a clear conclusion.

Eczema

Several studies of EPA for eczema do not provide enough reliable evidence to form a clear conclusion.

Asthma

Several studies in this area do not provide enough reliable evidence to form a clear conclusion, with some studies reporting no effects and others finding benefits. Because most studies have been small without clear descriptions of design or results, the results cannot be considered conclusive.

Preeclampsia

Several studies of fish oil do not provide enough reliable evidence to form a clear conclusion in this area.

Schizophrenia

There is promising preliminary evidence from several randomized controlled trials in this area. Additional research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be reached.

Bipolar disorder

Several studies in this area do not provide enough reliable evidence to form a clear conclusion.

Depression

Several studies in this area do not provide enough reliable evidence to form a clear conclusion. Promising initial evidence requires confirmation with larger, well-designed trials.

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)

It has been suggested that anti-inflammatory or prostaglandin-mediated mechanisms associated with omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in the management of dysmenorrhea. There is preliminary evidence suggesting possible benefits of fish oil/omega-3 fatty acids in patients with dysmenorrhea. Additional research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be reached.

Cystic fibrosis

A small amount of research in this area does not provide enough reliable evidence to form a clear conclusion. Diabetes

Although slight increases in fasting blood glucose levels have been noted in patients with type 2 ("adult onset") diabetes, the available scientific evidence suggests that there are no significant long-term effects of fish oil in patients with diabetes, including no changes in progression of diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), albuminuria (protein in the urine), or hemoglobin A1clevels. Most studies in this area are not well designed.The effects of fish oil on hypertriglyceridemia are similar in patients with or without diabetes.

Hypercholesterolemia

Although fish oil is able to reduce triglycerides, beneficial effects on blood cholesterol levels have not been demonstrated. Fish oil supplements appear to cause small improvements in high-density lipoprotein ("good cholesterol") by 1-3%. However, increases (worsening) in low-density lipoprotein levels ("bad cholesterol") by 5-10% are also observed (dose-dependent with effects likely to occur at 1 gram per day or greater of omega-3 fatty acids). Therefore, for individuals with high blood levels of total cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein, significant improvements will likely not be seen, and a different treatment should be selected. Fish oil does not appear to affect C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Several randomized trials in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia yield conflicting results.

Transplant rejection prevention (kidney and heart)

There are multiple studies of heart transplant and kidney transplant patients taking cyclosporine (Neoral®), who were administered fish oil supplements. The majority of trials report improvements in kidney function (glomerular filtration rate, serum creatinine) and less hypertension (high blood pressure) compared to patients not taking fish oil. However, several recent studies report no benefits on kidney function, and no changes have been found in rates of rejection or graft survival.

Appetite / weight loss in cancer patients

There is preliminary evidence that fish oil supplementation does not improve appetite or prevent weight loss in cancer patients. A higher ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids is associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip in both sexes. These findings suggest that the relative amounts of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids may play a vital role in preserving skeletal integrity in older age. Supplementation with 2g per day of fish oil was well tolerated and was associated with a significant increase in heart rate variability (HRV). Supplementation with 2g per day of soy oil was associated with a lesser but significant increase in HRV.Consumption of fish is associated with a significantly reduced progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in women with coronary artery disease.

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), age related macular degeneration coenzyme Q10 (Phototrop) on the visual functions and fundus alterations in early age-related macular degeneration (AMD), aggressive behavior, agoraphobia, AIDS, allergies, Alzheimer's disease, anticoagulation, antiphospholipid syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity, autoimmune nephritis, bacterial infections, Behcet's syndrome, borderline personality disorder, breast cysts, breast tenderness, cartilage destruction, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, common cold, congestive heart failure, critical illness, dementia, dermatomyositis, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, dyslexia, dyspraxia, exercise performance enhancement, fibromyalgia, gallstones, gingivitis, glaucoma, glomerulonephritis, glycogen storage diseases, gout, hay fever, headache, hepatorenal syndrome, hypoxia, ichthyosis, immunosuppression, kidney disease prevention, kidney stones, leprosy, leukemia, malaria, male infertility, mastalgia (breast pain), memory enhancement, menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, methotrexate toxicity, multiple sclerosis, myopathy, neuropathy, night vision enhancement, obesity, omega-3 fatty acid deficiency, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, otitis media (ear infection), panic disorder, peripheral vascular disease, postpartum depression, postviral fatigue syndrome, pregnancy nutritional supplement, premature birth prevention, premenstrual syndrome, prostate cancer prevention, protection from isotretinoin drug toxicity, Raynaud's phenomenon, Refsum's syndrome, retinitis pigmentosa, Reye's syndrome, seizure disorder, suicide prevention, systemic lupus erythematosus, tardive dyskinesia, tennis elbow, ulcerative colitis, urolithiasis (bladder stones), vision enhancement, weight loss.

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