Fish Oil Given Intravenously to Patients in Intensive Care Has Many Benefits, Study Finds

[n2doc]

ScienceDaily (Jan. 19, 2010) — A randomised controlled trial of fish oil given intravenously to patients in intensive care has found that it improves gas exchange, reduces inflammatory chemicals and results in a shorter length of hospital stay.

Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Critical Care investigated the effects of including fish oil in the normal nutrient solution for patients with sepsis, finding a significant series of benefits.

Philip Calder, from the University of Southampton, UK, worked with a team of researchers to carry out the study in 23 patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis in the Hospital Padre Américo, Portugal. He said, "Recently there has been increased interest in the fat and oil component of vein-delivered nutrition, with the realization that it not only supplies energy and essential building blocks, but may also provide bioactive fatty acids. Traditional solutions use soybean oil, which does not contain the omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil that act to reduce inflammatory responses. In fact, soybean oil is rich in omega-6 acids that may actually promote inflammation in an excessive or unbalanced supply."

Calder and his colleagues found that the 13 patients in the fish oil group had lower levels of inflammatory agents in their blood, were able to achieve better lung function and left hospital earlier than the 10 patients who received traditional nutrition.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100118204043.htm

[Celebration]

1. wow

Doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence in our system that this wasn't known years ago..........

[BadgerKid]

4. AFAICT, human evidence started showing up around 20 years ago

in connection with the Finns. That omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) decreased in human heart tissue (edit: as a person gets older) has been known for 30-35 years.

[shireen]

2. studies published last year about treating dry eyes

(which can cause blurry vision ... i know, it's driving me nuts right now!) showed that eyes treated with drops containing Omega-3 fatty acids significantly cleared up dry eye symptoms. Unfortunately, it's still undergoing clinical trials.

[cayanne]

3. I have Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis + FM & CMP

I take liquid lemon or orange flavored fish oil daily. I also have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Myofascial Pain and arthritis. Due to the kidney disease, I can't take anti-inflammatories so this helps, along with other alternative methods.

[roguevalley]

5. I take a 1200 fish oil tab with every meal. I actually could feel the

difference right away.

[grasswire]

6. really

what were your symptoms previously?

[roguevalley]

7. high blood pressure, a thickness for want of a better description

of it in the middle of my chest. It just feels stronger and more normal. I wish I could describe it better.