Maria Eleni Kordoni, Demosthenes Panagiotakos
Abstract
Omega-3 fatty acids are well known for their anti-inflammatory actions in humans. In this article a study that aimed to investigate the effects of omega-3 supplementation on the inflammatory response of overweight/obese pregnant women, is discussed. The study was a randomized, double-blind controlled trial conducted in overweight/obese pregnant women that were randomly assigned to receive DHA plus EPA (2 g/day) or the equivalent of a placebo. Analysis revealed that in the intervention group subjects had lower levels of CRP plasma concentrations, whereas no significant changes were observed in other inflammatory markers’ levels. These findings suggest that omega 3 supplementation for >25 weeks reduced inflammation in maternal adipose and the placental tissue, with TLR4 appearing to be a central target of the anti-inflammatory effects at the cellular level. In conclusion, omega 3 supplementation during pregnancy is a potentially essential intervention in order to reduce maternal and fetal risk due to inflammatory response.
Keywords: Omega-3 fatty acids, inflammation, obesity, pregnancy