Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Immune Function
http://www.omega3fishoil.org/immune_function.htm
Diets which are low in fat or high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish
oils increase the survival and reduce disease severity in spontaneous
autoantibody mediated disease, and linoleic acid rich diets appear to
increase disease severity.
Inflammation as a consequence of immune activation in autoimmune disease
might be a vital mechanism of action whereby dietary fatty acids modulate
disease activity. In conclusion, regulation of gene expression, signal
transduction pathways, production of eicosanoids and cytokines, and
the action of antioxidant enzymes are all mechanisms by which omega-6
and omega-3 fatty acids may exert effects on the immune system and autoimmune
disease. DHA and EPA are omega-3's, which is found perhaps most abundantly
in fish oil
An important mechanisms in respect to our understanding of immunoregulation
and inflammation may be from fatty acid effects on cytokines. The amount
as well as balance of dietary fatty acids appear to impact on the immune
system to produce immune deviation or immunosuppressive effects, and
to reduce immune-mediated inflammation which will in turn affect the
susceptibility to autoimmune disease in general.