Organic Technologies Announces New Research About High DHA Fish Oil Concentrate

Organic Technologies, producer of AlaskOmega^® omega-3 and omega-7 concentrates, announces new research demonstrating that a high DHA fish oil concentrate can support healthy immune response in middle-aged obese adults. Just published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry a human pilot study tested the effects of concentrated eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3s from fish oil on B cell responses. B cells are a type of white blood cells that stimulate antibody production but also play a role in cytokine secretion and antigen presentation to T cells.

“Animal studies consistently show that omega-3s robustly improve various aspects of immunity, including inflammation”, stated Raz Shaikh, PhD, lead investigator of the study and currently Associate Professor of Nutrition at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “To-date, B cell activation has not been well studied in humans with omega-3s and underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We were very excited to observe the immune enhancing properties of high DHA fish oil on B cells in humans”, concluded Shaikh.

This study sheds light on how omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may function in the human immune system, which is particularly relevant for those with inflammatory and chronic disease conditions. This study suggests that DHA uniquely contributes to certain aspects of immune function.

“This study adds to the body of knowledge that supplementation with a high DHA fish oil concentrate can help support healthy immune systems in select populations”, said Steve Dillingham, global director for Organic Technologies’ AlaskOmega^®Ingredients, the major sponsor of the study. “While this pilot study results are certainly encouraging, much more research in this area is warranted”.

Publication: Effects of fish oil concentrates on ex vivo B cell responses of obese subjects upon BCR/TLR stimulation: A pilot study. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry