Related To Story |
Fish Oil Reduces Inflammation, Study Finds
POSTED: 3:20 pm PDT October 28, 2009
UPDATED: 3:52 pm PDT October 28, 2009
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Fish oil has long been lauded as a great source of heart-healthy fat and new research from Harvard University has shown that it also helps the body reduce inflammation.The body converts an active ingredient found in fish oils, known as DHA, into a chemical called Resolvin D2.Researchers studied the effects of this chemical on mice suffering from full-body inflammation and found that Resolvin D2 was able to dramatically reduce this inflammation and increase survival rate.
Inflammation occurs when the body's natural defenses against infections are mistakenly directed at healthy tissue. This means that in order to combat inflammation, most drugs currently used must also suppress the immune system, something that can be dangerous for patients whose bodies are already weakened by infection.In the study, they found that Resolvin D2 was not only a powerful anti-inflammatory, but it was able to reduce inflammation without affecting the immune system.Because of this, researchers felt that this active ingredient in fish oil has great potential as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and stroke.
Report a typo or inaccuracy
Copyright 2010 by TurnTo23.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The following are comments from our users. Opinions expressed are neither created nor endorsed by TurnTo23.com. By posting a comment you agree to accept our Terms of Use. Comments are moderated by the community. To report an offensive or otherwise inappropriate comment, click the "Flag" link that appears beneath that comment. Comments that are flagged by a set number of users will be automatically removed.