Washington DC
: Could the healthy fats found in nuts and fish help to slow the progression of potentially fatal lung scarring known as pulmonary fibrosis and hence postpone the need for lung transplants?
The UVA pulmonary experts investigated the relationship between blood-plasma levels of omega-3 fatty acids–heart-healthy fats found in foods like salmon and flaxseeds–and the advancement of pulmonary fibrosis, as well as how long patients may go without requiring a transplant.
The researchers discovered that higher omega-3 levels were linked to improved lung function and a longer transplant-free life.
While additional research is needed, the researchers believe their findings warrant clinical trials to see if therapies that increase omega-3 levels will help individuals with pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic lung disorders.
“We found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood, which reflects several weeks of dietary intake, were linked to better lung function and longer survival,” said researcher John Kim, MD, a pulmonary and critical care expert at UVA Health and the University of Virginia School of Medicine. “Our findings suggest omega-3 fatty acids might be a targetable risk factor in pulmonary fibrosis.”
Omega-3 fatty acids have already been linked to a host of health benefits. Studies have suggested, for example, that they may lower the risk of heart disease, stroke-causing blood clots, breast cancer and other cancers, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Kim and his colleagues wanted to determine if omega-3s could play a protective role in interstitial lung disease, a group of chronic lung diseases that can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. A growing problem around the world, pulmonary fibrosis is an irreversible condition that leaves the lungs unable to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide properly. This can cause patients to become short of breath, weak, unable to exercise and a host of other symptoms. Smoking is a major risk factor.
The researchers looked at anonymised data on patients with interstitial lung disease collected in the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Registry, as well as information volunteered by patients at UVA Health and the University of Chicago.
In total, the scientists reviewed information on more than 300 people with interstitial lung disease. Most were men (pulmonary fibrosis is more common in men than women), and most suffered from “idiopathic” pulmonary fibrosis, one of the conditions that fall under the banner of interstitial lung disease.
The researchers found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood plasma were associated with a better ability to exchange carbon dioxide and longer survival without the need for a lung transplant. This did not vary much regardless of smoking history or whether the patients had cardiovascular disease.
“Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids were predictive of better clinical outcomes in pulmonary fibrosis,” Kim said. “These findings were consistent with whether you had a history of cardiovascular disease, which suggests this may be specific to pulmonary fibrosis.”
The doctors say additional research is needed to understand just how omega-3s could be having this protective benefit. They are calling for clinical trials and more mechanistic studies to obtain additional insights and determine if omega-3 fatty acid drugs or dietary changes could improve patient outcomes.
“We need further research to determine if there are specific omega-3 fatty acids that may be beneficial and, if so, what are their underlying mechanisms,” Kim said. “Similar to other chronic diseases, we hope to determine whether nutrition related interventions can have a positive impact on pulmonary fibrosis.”
