Systemic inflammation and its chronic release of cytokines and other inflammatory markers is a major health concern, especially for individuals struggling with obesity. In a sense, having extra adipose (fat) tissue, acts as a generator of inflammation, and aside from physical mobility and comfort, it can affect a person’s immune response and blood sugar.

This clinical study found that supplementation with a high-dose omega-3 supplement for three months reduced inflammatory markers and improved glucose metabolism by 25 percent in individuals with high blood sugar numbers.

The researchers found that omega-3 supplementation increased the activity of the apolipoprotein E (APOE), which produces the APOE protein that helps transport lipids like cholesterol through the bloodstream. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, and that may account for additional improvements in health as well.

While omega-3 supplements are popular, it pays to be selective when adding any to a regimen. Rather than choosing fish oils, where the omega-3 fatty acids are bound to triglycerides, consider phospholipid-bound forms of omega-3 supplements made from a single source, like salmon. The beneficial fatty acids on those forms are closer to a natural state, more stable, and include phospholipids and peptides, which provide benefits for the heart, brain, and eyes.

Abstract:

Hernandez JD, Li T, Rau CM, LeSuer WE, Wang P, Coletta DK, Madura JA 2nd, Jacobsen EA, De Filippis E. ω-3PUFA supplementation ameliorates adipose tissue inflammation and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in subjects with obesity: a potential role for apolipoprotein E. Int J Obes (Lond). 2021 Jun;45(6):1331-1341. doi: 10.1038/s41366-021-00801-w. Epub 2021 Mar 22. PMID: 33753887; PMCID: PMC8159741.

Background: Long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3PUFA) supplementation in animal models of diet-induced obesity has consistently shown to improve insulin sensitivity. The same is not always reported in human studies with insulin resistant (IR) subjects with obesity.

Objective: We studied whether high-dose ω-3PUFA supplementation for 3 months improves insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue (AT) inflammation in IR subjects with obesity.

Methods: Thirteen subjects (BMI = 39.3 ± 1.6 kg/m2) underwent 80 mU/m2·min euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp with subcutaneous (Sc) AT biopsy before and after 3 months of ω-3PUFA (DHA and EPA, 4 g/daily) supplementation. Cytoadipokine plasma profiles were assessed before and after ω-3PUFA. AT-specific inflammatory gene expression was evaluated on Sc fat biopsies. Microarray analysis was performed on the fat biopsies collected during the program.

Results: Palmitic and stearic acid plasma levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) after ω-3PUFA. Gene expression of pro-inflammatory markers and adipokines were improved after ω-3PUFA (P < 0.05). Systemic inflammation was decreased after ω-3PUFA, as shown by cytokine assessment (P < 0.05). These changes were associated with a 25% increase in insulin-stimulated glucose disposal (4.7 ± 0.6 mg/kg ffm•min vs. 5.9 ± 0.9 mg/kg ffm•min) despite no change in body weight. Microarray analysis identified 53 probe sets significantly altered post- ω-3PUFA, with Apolipoprotein E (APOE) being one of the most upregulated genes.

Conclusion: High dose of long chain ω-3PUFA supplementation modulates significant changes in plasma fatty acid profile, AT, and systemic inflammation. These findings are associated with significant improvement of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal. Unbiased microarray analysis of Sc fat biopsy identified APOE as among the most differentially regulated gene after ω-3PUFA supplementation. We speculate that ω-3PUFA increases macrophage-derived APOE mRNA levels with anti-inflammatory properties.

Here is the link to the full text study: ω-3PUFA supplementation ameliorates adipose tissue inflammation and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in subjects with obesity: a potential role for apolipoprotein E