Could Omega-3 Improve Asthma Outcomes?

Consumption of fish oil supplements does not appear to improve asthma-related outcomes, according to the results of a recent study.

Although omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been suggested as a potential anti-asthma strategy, no studies have examined its effects on asthma control in patients with obesity and uncontrolled asthma, according to the study authors.

They conducted a multi-center trial of 98 participants aged 12-25 years with overweight/obesity and uncontrolled asthma. The participants were randomly assigned 3:1 to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (4g/day) or soy oil control for 24 weeks.

The primary outcome of the study was the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), with secondary outcomes including blood leukocyte n3PUFA levels, urinary leukotriene-E4, spirometry, and asthma-related events.

Overall, while omega-3 fatty acid supplementation increased the n3-to-n6 PUFA ratio in circulating granulocytes and monocytes, it had no effect on ACQ change at 6 months. Rate of asthma exacerbations were similar between groups at 6 months.

“In adolescents and young adults with overweight/obesity and uncontrolled asthma, fish oil supplementation at 4g/day increased n3PUFA concentration in peripheral blood monocytes and granulocytes.  However, these enhancements did not translate to a measurable reduction in LTE4 production, asthma control, nor most secondary outcomes.  These findings do not support a strategy of therapeutic n3PUFA supplementation in these patients with symptomatic asthma,” they concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Lang JE, Mougey EB, Hossain J, et al. Fish Oil supplementation in Overweight/Obese Patients with Uncontrolled Asthma: a randomized trial [Published online January 22, 2019]. AATS. https://doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.201807-446OC.