Omega-3s Reduce Anxiety, Inflammation

Ohio–Increasing daily consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, a main compound present in fish oil, reduces inflammation and anxiety in healthy young adults, according to a study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.


Researchers at Ohio State University conducted a study on 68 first- and second-year medical students who were given supplements that contained four or five times the amount of fish oil found in daily serving of salmon. Half the students received omega-3 supplements while the other half were given placebo pills.

Psychological surveys showed students receiving the omega-3 experienced a 20% reduction in anxiety compared to the placebo group. An analysis of the of the blood samples from the medical students showed a 14% reduction in the amount of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the blood serum among the students receiving the omega-3.

“Anything we can do to reduce cytokines is a big plus in dealing with the overall health of people at risk for many diseases," said Ron Glaser, study co-author and professor of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics and director of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research.

Sources:

• Ohio State University: Omega-3 Reduces Anxiety and Inflammation in Healthy Students