Complementary and Alternative Care/Dietary Supplements

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Health Effects on Asthma

March 2004

Clinical Focus*

• What is the evidence for the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids to improve respiratory outcomes among individuals with asthma?
• What is the evidence that the possible value (efficacy/association) of omega-3 fatty acids in improving respiratory outcomes is dependent on the:
  • Specific type of fatty acid (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA, 22:6 n-3], eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA, 20:5 n-3], docosapentaenoic acid [DPA, 22:5 n-3], alpha linolenic acid [ALA, 18:3 n-3], fish, fish oil)?
  • Specific source (fish, plant, food, dietary supplement [fish oil, plant oil])?
  • Its serving size or dose (fish or dietary supplement)?
  • Amount/dose of omega-6 fatty acids given as a cointervention?
  • Ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids used?
  • Fatty acid content of blood lipid biomarkers?
  • Absolute fatty acid content of the baseline diet?
  • Relative fatty acid content of the baseline diet?
  • Tissue ratios of fatty acid (omega-6/omega-3) during the investigative period?
  • Intervention length?
  • Antioxidant use?
  • The manufacturer and its product(s) purity or presence of other potentially active agents?
• What is the evidence that, in individuals with asthma, omega-3 fatty acids influence mediators of inflammation which are thought to be related to the pathogenesis of asthma?
• Are omega-3 fatty acids effective in the primary prevention of asthma?
• Among individuals with asthma, do omega-3 fatty acids alter the progression of asthma (i.e., secondary prevention)?
• What is the evidence for adverse events, side effects, or counter-indications associated with omega-3 fatty acid use to treat or prevent asthma (DHA, EPA, DPA, ALA, fish oil, fish)?
• What is the evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are associated with adverse events in specific subpopulations of asthmatic individual such as diabetics?

*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.

Health Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Asthma
Summary (Publication No. 04-E013-1, March 2004)
Evidence Report (Publication No. 04-E013-2, March 2004)
(PDF Files; File Download)

EPC: University of Ottawa Evidence-based Practice Center
Topic Nominator: Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health

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