Essential Fatty Acids (2004, 2010) & Uveitis

Learn more about treatment of uveitis.

Researchers investigated whether any of the essential fatty acids would be helpful in treating chronic inflammation of the uvea (iris, ciliary body, choroid) which is known as uveitis. The condition is a factor for other serious eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

2010

Lab animals with uveitis (caused by endotoxin treatment) were given oral doses of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) one of the omega-3 essential fatty acids.

Editor's Note: Krill oil supplies the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, DHA & vitamin A.

After 24 hours the animals showed marked decreases in levels of white blood cells being attracted to the damaged tissue ("leukocyte adhesion"), and certain protein levels indicative of inflammation in the retina and the choroid/RPE tissues were also reduced. In addition, phosphorylation was reduced.

These results led the reseachers to conclude that EPA can be very helpful in preventing and treating eye diseases of inflammation.

Researchers: Misa Suzuki, Kousuke Noda, et al.

Published: Eicosapentaenoic acid suppresses ocular inflammation in endotoxin-induced uveitis, Molecular Vision, July, 2010.

2004

The omega-6 fatty acid - linoleic acid - can be either helpful for inflammatory conditions or problematic if given in too-large quantities.

Uveitis is considered a "type 2" autoimmune condition. Linoleic acid suppresses the overproduction of some biochemicals which characterize psoriasis, alopecia areata (hair loss), rheumatoid arthritis, MS, Crohn's, type 2 diabetes, and some kinds of uveitis. However, too high a dosage of linoleic acid may aggravate some of these disorders.

Researcher: M.R. Namazi

The beneficial and detrimental effects of linoleic acid on autoimmune disorders, Autoimmunity, February, 2004.

Editor's Note: The ratio of omega-6:omega-3 in the diet is important for your health. Humans may evolved with a ratio of 1:1 (omega-6:omega-3). 2-3:1 lessens symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and a similar ratio would be suggested for uveitis. Learn more about the omega-6:omega-3 ratio.