Omega-3 fatty acids have a positive effect on overweight asthma patients

Obesity is an increasing health problem, which also raises the risk of asthma. In addition, it can be challenging to treat overweight asthma patients with conventional therapies, and that increases the risk of hospitalization. According to a population study published in Respiratory Medicine, omega-3 fatty acids - primarily found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements - may have a positive effect on conventional asthma therapies. The researchers believe this is due to the two biologically active forms of omega-3 in fish oil, EPA and DHA, which help regulate inflammation and other metabolic processes.

Forty percent of the US population is overweight. In fact, there is a rising obesity trend throughout the industrialized world. Overweight individuals also have an increased risk of developing asthma, which is difficult to treat with conventional therapies. This includes treatment with various bronchodilators that relax the muscles in the bronchi, reduce mucus, and dilate the airways to make breathing easier. As a result, overweight asthma patients have a fivefold higher risk of complications and hospitalization compared to normal-weight asthma patients. Treating overweight asthma patients has therefore become an increasing human and socio-economic health challenge that requires attention and improvement.
Asthma combined with obesity is a more complex disease, and it is widely recognized that diet plays an important role, yet few studies have analyzed this connection. It is known that overweight individuals often have unhealthy eating habits and consume too much ultra-processed food, which contributes to unstable blood sugar and weight gain. Unhealthy diets also increase the risk of chronic inflammation in the bronchi, which contributes to various asthma symptoms. The intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids plays a key role. Unfortunately, modern diets often contain far too little omega-3 and too much omega-6, which sets the stage for chronic inflammation.
The new study, which aimed to investigate which dietary factors affect asthma symptoms and lung function, included 102 overweight asthma patients whose conventional treatment was not effective. Participants’ diets were assessed using specialized questionnaires (Arizona Food Frequency Questionnaire). A standardized questionnaire was also used to evaluate asthma symptoms. Lung function was assessed using a spirometer and the participants’ response to bronchodilator treatment. In addition, a specific technique was used to examine the relationship between participants’ intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, their lung function, and the severity of asthma symptoms.
The study showed that a daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids can improve the effectiveness of bronchodilator treatment in overweight asthma patients.
The researchers therefore call for increased focus on diet quality and higher omega-3 fatty acid intake.

Sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and the importance of balance

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fats found in cell membranes, where they regulate numerous metabolic processes. It is important to consume these two different fatty acids in a proper balance.
In the study’s introduction, the authors explain that omega-6 fatty acids LA (linoleic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid) are involved in the immune system’s initiation of inflammation, which is the body’s response to infections and cell damage. It is crucial that inflammatory processes are carefully controlled and halted in time to prevent them from getting out of hand. Otherwise, there is a risk of complications due to chronic inflammation, including asthma.
The two omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, play a key role in regulating the immune system’s anti-inflammatory processes. Increased intake of EPA and DHA is generally associated with a reduced risk of inflammatory diseases such as asthma.
Fatty fish contains EPA and DHA. Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in flaxseed oil, rapeseed oil, walnuts, and certain other plant sources, but in the form of ALA. Many people have difficulty with converting ALA into EPA and DHA.
Nuts and seeds are good sources of omega-6 fatty acids, but one can easily risk consuming too much omega-6 from various seed oils, margarine, dressings, cold cuts, fries, chips, ready meals, and other industrially processed foods.
As a result, the modern diet typically provides too little omega-3 and too much omega-6. This imbalance not only increases the risk of chronic inflammation, which is the common thread of many chronic diseases, but also raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, blood clots, depression, and other neurodegenerative diseases.
What makes the situation even worse is the fact that overweight individuals tend to produce too many pro-inflammatory cytokines in their fat tissue and that appears to increase their need for omega-3 fatty acids.

References:

Katherine M. Hueter et al. Omega-3 fatty acid intake potentiates bronchodilator response in patients with obesity and poorly controlled asthma. Respiratory Medicine 2025.