New Study Links Omega-3 Fatty Acids In Foods Like Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) With Healthy Lungs
Updated December 6th 2023
Summary:
- New study finds Omega-3 fatty acids found in extra virgin olive oil can help promote good lung health.
- The study, funded largely by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, showed that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in a person’s blood had an association with a lower rate of lung function decline.
- Extra virgin olive oil, (or EVOO), has long been celebrated as a kitchen staple in households around the world. Rich in polyphenols, this liquid gold is known for its numerous health benefits, including improved lung health.
- Researchers are expanding research to determine links between levels of omega-3 fatty acids and rate of decline in lung function among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.
- Extra virgin olive oil has a healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids than other oils that are high in omega-6 fatty acids.
- Omega-3 fatty acids have been praised for their many health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and improving heart health.
Contents:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids Found In Extra Virgin Olive Oil Could Promote Good Lung Health
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Contribute To Their Health Benefits
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Found In Extra Virgin Olive Oil Could Promote Good Lung Health
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in foods including extra virgin olive oil and fish could help maintain good lung health, according to a new study.
Researchers from the study gathered evidence from a large, multi-faceted research project among healthy adults supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Results of the research, funded largely by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of NIH, the study results were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
As reported in studyfinds.org, this work provides the most compelling evidence yet of this association and highlights the importance of including omega-3 fatty acids in one’s diet – especially since many Americans fail to meet current nutritional guidelines.
“We know a lot about the role of diet in cancer and cardiovascular diseases, but the role of diet in chronic lung disease is somewhat understudied,” says corresponding author Patricia A. Cassano, Ph.D., director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University, in a media release. “This study adds to growing evidence that omega-3 fatty acids, which are part of a healthy diet, may be important for lung health too.”
Reporting for Studyfinds.org John Anderer said:
‘In recent years, there has been an increased interest in gaining a clearer understanding of whether nutritional interventions may contribute to or influence lung disease prevention. Prior projects have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may help, probably due to their established anti-inflammatory actions. However, robust studies of this association have been lacking – until now.
John Anderer
Anti-Inflammatory Properties Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Contribute To Their Health Benefits
‘The research team put together a two-part study investigating the link between omega-3 fatty acid levels in the blood and lung function over time. The first part entailed researchers conducting a longitudinal, observational study involving 15,063 Americans from the NHLBI Pooled Cohorts Study – which is a large collection of NIH-funded studies intended to help researchers study determinants of personalized risk for chronic lung disease.
‘Study participants were all generally healthy when the study began, and the majority showed no evidence of chronic lung disease. The cohort was made up of a racially diverse group of adults, with an average age of 56, with 55 percent being female. Participants were tracked for an average of seven years, and in some cases, for as long as 20 years.
‘This longitudinal study showed that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in a person’s blood had an association with a lower rate of lung function decline. Study authors saw the strongest associations for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is found in high levels among fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines. DHA is also available as a dietary supplement.
‘The second part of the project entailed researchers analyzing genetic data from a large study of European patients (over 500,000 participants) from the UK Biobank. Certain genetic blood markers were studied as an indirect measure, or proxy, for dietary omega-3 fatty acid levels. This was done to gauge how they correlated with lung health. The ensuing results displayed that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, were associated with better lung function.
‘A caveat of the current study worth mentioning is that it only included healthy adults. Researchers are now collaborating with the COPDGene study to examine blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids in relation to the rate of decline in lung function among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, including heavy smokers, in order to ascertain if the same beneficial associations are found.’
“We’re starting to turn a corner in nutritional research and really moving toward precision nutrition for treating lung diseases,” adds study first author Bonnie K. Patchen, Ph.D., a nutritionist and member of Cassano’s research team at Cornell. “In the future, this could translate into individualized dietary recommendations for people at high risk for chronic lung disease.”
“This large population-based study suggests that nutrients with anti-inflammatory properties may help to maintain lung health,” concludes James P. Kiley, Ph.D., director of the NHLBI’s Division of Lung Diseases. “More research is needed, since these findings raise interesting questions for future prospective studies about the link between omega-3 fatty acids and lung function.”
Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Extra virgin olive oil is lauded for its versatility in the kitchen and praised for its heart-healthy qualities. One of the reasons why it’s beneficial for cardiovascular health is because it contains omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids aren’t produced by the body, so it’s important to source them through dietary intake. Unlike other oils that are high in omega-6 fatty acids, extra virgin olive oil has a healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Incorporating extra virgin olive oil into your diet is an easy way to boost your omega-3 intake and support overall health. From salad dressings to sautéing, this nutrient-rich oil can be used in many delicious and nutritious ways.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been praised for their many health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and improving heart health. While most people associate omega-3s with fish, research has shown that extra virgin olive oil contains high levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 that has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions. Not only is extra virgin olive oil a tasty addition to your diet, but it can also provide you with a dose of these important nutrients. So next time you’re looking to boost your omega-3 intake, reach for a bottle of extra virgin olive oil for both flavor and health benefits.
The study is published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine: View John’s article archive
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