EPA/DHA affect macular degeneration, inflammation

Inflammation
Researchers examined whether high eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid intakes modify associations of obesity with chronic disease risk biomarkers in Yup’ik Eskimos. Associations of Body Mass Index with triglycerides, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and leptin differed significantly by RBC EPA and DHA. For subjects with low EPA and DHA, increases in triglycerides (61%) and CRP (35%) concentrations were found and associated with a BMI increase from 25 to 35. Subjects with high EPA and DHA lowered these markers. In this population, high EPA and DHA was associated with lower dyslipidemia and low-grade systemic inflammation among overweight and obese persons. This may help inform recommendations for omega-3 fatty acid intakes in the reduction of obesity-related disease risk.

AMD
Harvard researchers found increased fish intake in women who were free of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) significantly reduced risk of AMD over a 10-year period of intake. The findings appeared in the July issue of Archives of Ophthalmalogy. In 38,022 female health professionals who were free of AMD diagnosis at baseline, those with the intake for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) had a lower relative risk of AMD by consuming one or more servings of fish per week. The researchers concluded that regular consumption of DHA, EPA and fish is associated with a significantly decreased risk of incident AMD and may be of benefit in primary prevention of AMD.