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Omega-3s Display Surprising Effect on Wound Healing

Americans are urged to consume a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids because these fish-based polyunsaturated fats have been found to minimize inflammation and promote healing.  Omega-3 supplements and foods fortified with omega-3s are widely available.

A new study, however, says that we may want to omit our omega-3 supplements a few days ahead of elective surgery in order to speed the healing process.  This surprising conclusion comes from a study that was expected to document the healing powers of omega-3s during the healing of small, acute, blister wounds on the arms of study participants.  Instead of speeding the healing process, the blisters on the study participants taking omega-3 fish oil supplements actually got off to a slower start than participants taking placebos.

Upon microscopic examination, the blister fluid in participants taking supplements was found to contain a greater number of proteins that actually promote and sustain inflammation.  The average healing time was just over 10 days for both groups, in spite of the presence of the inflammation-encouraging proteins in the group taking fish oil supplements.  The research team, from Ohio State University (OSU), noted a lower level of the inflammation-inducing proteins in women than men.

The presence of the proteins in the wounds of study participants taking fish oil supplements leads the research team, spearheaded by Jodi McDaniel, an OSU assistant professor of nursing, to suggest anyone routinely taking fish oil supplements stop taking them a few days before undergoing elective surgery to be sure the omega-3 in the supplements does not hinder the healing process in any way.  It is unknown at this time if omega-3 causes any healing difficulties but omitting them a few days before scheduled surgeries may prove to speed recovery and shouldn’t cause any harm.

The study was based on minor, acute, wounds that were clinically inflicted for the sake of the study.  The influence of omega-3s was not tested on chronic wounds.  Further studies are under consideration to explore any connection between omega-3s and chronic wounds.

Details of the McDaniel report can be found in the medical journal, Wound Repair and Regeneration.  Supporters of the study include Ohio State University Alumni Grants for Graduate Research & Scholarship, the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Nursing Research Predoctoral National Research Service Award Fellowship, and the Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International.

Source: Ohio State University

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