Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Lessen Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms?

The study looks at macrophages, immune cells located within tissues and organs that coordinate an inflammatory response in the body. Macrophages are responsible for detecting pathogens and internal damage, and mount a response based on their incoming signals. The response is usually by producing and secreting a number of substances that control all cells and aspects of our immune system.

One of the way that macrophages operate is through a process called autophagy, where macrophages break down dysfunctional or unnecessary proteins or other matter from cells (essentially eating themselves). The researchers hypothesized that they could reduce inflammation from the macrophages by increasing autophagy through omega-3 fatty acids.

After testing done on mice and human macrophages, the researchers concluded that omega-3 fatty acids do in fact increase autophagy in macrophages, which could be very beneficial for MS patients in the future. Researchers did emphasize that the study was done on macrophages from healthy patients who did not have MS, which means there needs to be further testing on macrophages from actual MS patients.