Eating these fats can slow down lung fibrosis says research

Is it possible for you to slow down the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung condition that may require a lung transplant, by including healthy fats from sources like fish and nuts into your diet? University of Virginia (UVA) pulmonary specialists investigated the relationship between pulmonary fibrosis development and omega-3 fatty acids, which are frequently found in foods like salmon and flaxseeds.According to their findings, increased blood levels of omega-3 were linked to improved lung function and a longer time without needing a lung transplant.

The UVA researchers are suggesting clinical trials to determine whether treatments targeted at raising omega-3 levels could help people with pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic lung disorders, even though they acknowledge the need for more research. Based on their findings, Dr. John Kim, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at UVA Health, highlighted the possibility of omega-3 fatty acids as a targetable risk factor in pulmonary fibrosis.
Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for their many health advantages, which may include a possible lower risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer. Researchers in this study concentrated on their possible protective function in interstitial lung disease, a group of illnesses that includes ailments that can cause pulmonary fibrosis. A major worldwide health issue, pulmonary fibrosis causes irreversible lung damage and presents with symptoms like weakness, shortness of breath, and intolerance to exercise.

The researchers looked at more than 300 people with interstitial lung disease by analysing patient data from UVA Health and the University of Chicago as well as data from the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Registry. They discovered that regardless of a person’s history of smoking or the existence of cardiovascular disease, higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with improved carbon dioxide exchange and greater survival without the need for a lung transplant.
Dr. Kim stressed the need for more study to identify the protective mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acids and ascertain whether any particular kind of omega-3 fatty acid may be especially advantageous. In order to determine whether omega-3 fatty acid interventions—either through medication or dietary changes—could have a positive effect on the course of pulmonary fibrosis, the researchers are calling for clinical trials and additional mechanistic studies.