Omega-3 fats may slow fatal pulmonary fibrosis by improving lung function, study suggests

04 Jan 2024 --- New research links omega-3 fatty acids found in nuts and fish to improved lung function, which can slow the progression of the often deadly pulmonary fibrosis and prolong the lifespan of patients living with this lung scarring disease without needing an organ transplant. However, researchers call for further investigation. 

Pulmonary fibrosis is a life-long condition resulting in the inability of the lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, which leads to patients becoming short of breath, weak and unable to exercise, among other symptoms. Smoking is a considerable risk factor.

“Similar to prior research that has shown higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with better lung function in community-dwelling adults, we also found that higher levels were strongly associated with better lung function over time in humans with pulmonary fibrosis,” Dr. John Kim, a pulmonary and critical care expert at UVA Health and the School of Medicine, US, tells Nutrition Insight. 

“Specifically, we found patients with higher omega-3 levels had a slower decline in their ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Notably, we found higher levels were associated with longer survival.”

Omega-3’s lung protective role
The research team conducting the study published in CHEST set out to determine if omega-3 fatty acids could offer protection from interstitial lung disease that can eventually lead to fatal pulmonary fibrosis.

“Our findings extended other research that has shown higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with better lung function and clinical outcomes in other types of lung diseases,” explains Kim.

The research was conducted by collecting blood samples from more than 300 clinically diagnosed pulmonary fibrosis patients and examining the associations of plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels with changes in the Forced Vital Capacity — the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from a person’s lungs after taking the deepest breath possible — and capacity for carbon monoxide over a 12-month period.

“Our study was largely correlative, so we don’t exactly know the precise role of omega-3 fatty acids in interstitial lung disease,” notes Kim. 

“Notably, there are published studies from other researchers that have shown the administration of omega-3 fatty acids to be protective in the lungs of mice, and part of this may be due to the metabolites of omega-3 fatty acids.”

“There’s a possibility that higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids may indicate better health habits that may influence pulmonary fibrosis, and there is, in fact, no direct role of omega-3 fatty acids,” he adds. 

Scientists associate higher levels of omega-3 in the blood with better lung function over time.The need for clinical trials 
Kim argues that further research is necessary to improve health outcomes and better understand the role omega-3 plays in lung health. 

“To determine whether omega-3 fatty acids are protective in pulmonary fibrosis, we need clinical trials that test the effect of omega-3 related interventions on pulmonary fibrosis. Importantly, we need studies that determine exactly how omega-3 fatty acids may be protective in humans with pulmonary fibrosis and where in the lung it has its biggest effect.” 

“Prospective studies that administer omega-3 fatty acid therapies and dietary-enriched interventions with pre- and post-intervention assessments of the lung are needed to reveal the underlying mechanisms,” he further outlines. “There have been several clinical trials with omega-3 fatty acids in other chronic diseases that have been disappointing.”

“A lot of work needs to be done to determine how these omega-3 fatty acids work in different diseases and whether there are certain individuals who will benefit the most,” Kim cautions. 

Recently, researchers discovered new biomarkers of the omega-3 index, facilitating cardiovascular and cognitive research by tracing levels in the blood. 

Omega-3 fatty acids are linked to a wide range of health benefits, from heart health to cognition and immunity support. Innova Market Insights data from late last year suggests an increase in the launch of products that list omega-3 as an ingredient, including sports nutrition and products making claims regarding women’s and children’s health. 

By Milana Nikolova