A new medical study suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may help maintain lung function in addition to their well-established benefits for heart and brain health. Researchers found that higher levels of omega-3 in the blood were associated with a slower decline in lung function over time.

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Study Finds Positive Association With Lung Function Findings Based on Two Large Studies Experts Recommend a Balanced Approach

The findings add to growing evidence that nutrition plays an important role in respiratory health. However, researchers caution that omega-3 supplements should not be viewed as a standalone treatment or prevention strategy for lung disease.

Study Finds Positive Association With Lung Function

The research, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, examined the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and lung health.

Patricia A. Cassano, the study’s lead author and director at Cornell University in New York, said dietary factors have been widely studied for heart disease and cancer, but their role in lung health has received less attention.

According to the researchers, the results suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may contribute to maintaining healthy lung function as part of a balanced diet.

Findings Based on Two Large Studies

The first phase of the research followed 15,063 adults in the United States, with an average age of 56 years. Participants, most of whom had no diagnosed lung disease at the start of the study, were monitored for an average of seven to 20 years.

Researchers found that participants with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids experienced a slower decline in lung function than those with lower levels.

In the second phase, scientists analyzed genetic data from more than 500,000 people in Europe. The analysis also found a positive association between genetic markers linked to higher omega-3 levels and healthier lung function.

Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly found in fatty fish, fish oil supplements, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils and fortified foods. They are already known for their anti-inflammatory properties and their role in supporting cardiovascular and brain health.

Researchers emphasized that while the findings are encouraging, maintaining lung health requires a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle and appropriate medical advice rather than relying solely on dietary supplements.

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