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2022
Large study finds lower risk of COPD risk among regular consumers of fish oil

Large study finds lower risk of COPD risk among regular consumers of fish oil

A study that followed 484,414 men and women for a 9-year median period found a 12% lower risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among regular users of fish oil compared to nonusers.¹

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the genetic risk of COPD in conjunction with habitual fish oil [intake],” announced authors Zhi-Hao Li and colleagues, whose report was published on October 8, 2022, in Clinical Nutrition.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes bronchitis and emphysema, leads to irreversible decline in lung function. The authors of the report suggested that the most plausible explanation for their findings is that omega-3 fatty acids lower inflammatory processes involved in the development of COPD, through several mechanisms. They remarked that “habitual fish oil [intake] may play an important role in the primary prevention of COPD in the entire population, regardless of their genetic profile.”

Among participants in the study, a higher genetic risk score for COPD predicted a greater risk of developing the disease; however, the association between the use of fish oil and a lower risk of COPD was independent of genetic risk.

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Apply What You've Learned: COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema—diseases that are treatable but not curable.
Smoking is the number one risk factor for COPD. Quitting smoking is the most important thing people can do to prevent COPD or slow its progression.
Exposure to air pollution; secondhand smoke; and occupational chemicals, dust, and fumes are other risk factors to be avoided.^2-3
Nutrients that include vitamin A and its precursors alpha- and beta-carotene, vitamins C and D, mixed tocopherols with tocotrienols and N-acetylcysteine may help support the health of individuals with COPD.^4-12

References

Li ZH et al. Clin Nutr. 2022 Oct 8;41(12):2651-2658.
Doiron D et al. Eur Respir J. 2019 Jul 25;54(1):1802140.
American Lung Association. Updated 2021 Mar 5. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/what-causes-copd
Jun L et al. J Am Coll Nutr. 2021 Nov-Dec;40(8):708-712.
Tsiligianni IG et al. Respir Res. 2010 Dec 6;11(1):171.
Lei T et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2022 Sep 10;17:2201-2216.
Li X et al. Ann Palliat Med. 2020 Mar;9(2):286-297.
Hanson C et al. Clin Nutr. 2016 Feb;35(1):169-174.9.
Agler AH et al. Thorax. 2011 Apr;66(4):320-5.
Xi X et al. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 May 31;10(6):883.
Peh HY et al. Free Radic Biol Med.2017 Sep;110:332-344.
Stav D et al. Chest. 2009 Aug;136(2):381-386.

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