Omega-3 improves gut bacteria, reduces inflammation and depression

Created December 2017

Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on the Gut Microbiota

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(12), 2645; doi:10.3390/ijms18122645

Lara Costantini Romina Molinari Barbara Farinon and Nicolò Merendino

Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy

* Overview: Omega-3 many benefits include helping vitamin D * I use Vectomega brand of Omega-3 – Admin of VitaminDWiki, May 2014 * Omega 3 increases vitamin D in the blood – many studies * Vitamin D and omega-3 are the only supplements which show benefit in meta-analysis – Jan 2012 * Omega-3 benefits to health – review April 2018 * Omega-3 levels are sub-optimal in 99 percent of Americans – Aug 2017 * Gut microbiome massively changed by weekly vitamin D – July 2015 * Omega-3 in infancy reduces Obesity following antibiotic (confirmed in rats, suspected in humans) – Feb 2016 * Diabetes risk increased by 50 percent if had 5 courses of antibiotics – Aug 2015 * Speculate that Omega-3 would reduce the % Items in both categories Omega-3 and Inflammation are listed here: {category} Items in both categories Omega-3 and Depression are listed here: {category}

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Long-term dietary habits play a crucial role in creating a host-specific gut microbiota community in humans. Despite the many publications about the effects of carbohydrates (prebiotic fibers), the impact of dietary fats, such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), on the gut microbiota is less well defined. The few studies completed in adults showed some common changes in the gut microbiota after omega-3 PUFA supplementation. In particular, a decrease in Faecalibacterium, often associated with an increase in the Bacteroidetes and butyrate-producing bacteria belonging to the Lachnospiraceae family, has been observed.

Coincidentally, a dysbiosis of these taxa is found in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Omega-3 PUFAs can exert a positive action by reverting the microbiota composition in these diseases, and increase the production of anti-inflammatory compounds, like short-chain fatty acids. In addition, accumulating evidence in animal model studies indicates that the interplay between gut microbiota, omega-3 fatty acids, and immunity helps to maintain the intestinal wall integrity and interacts with host immune cells.

Finally, human and animal studies have highlighted the ability of omega-3 PUFAs to influence the gut–brain axis, acting through gut microbiota composition. From these findings, the importance of the omega-3 connection to the microbiota emerges, encouraging further studies.

Tags: Depression Inflammation Omega-3