Sixty-four patients (mean age, 66 years) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were randomly assigned to receive 400 kcal/day day of a nutritional supplement that was either high (0.6 g/day) (omega-3 group) or low (0.07 g/day) (control group) in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (mainly alpha-linolenic acid) for two years. In six-minute walk testing, both dyspnea and the decrease of arterial oxygen saturation significantly improved in the omega-3 group. Leukotriene B4 levels in serum and sputum and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-8 levels in sputum decreased significantly in the omega-3 group, but did not change in the control group.

Comment: These results indicate that supplementation with a modest dose of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for two years reduced inflammatory markers and improved exercise tolerance in patients with COPD. Most patients with COPD have a broad range of nutritional deficiencies, and a comprehensive nutritional-support program (including adequate amounts of calories and protein) may be beneficial. Aside from omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients that have been shown to improve clinical status include magnesium, N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine, and creatine. In addition, food allergy is sometimes a contributing factor to the chronic bronchitis component of COPD. Inhaled glutathione has been used empirically by some practitioners, and the results have been highly encouraging.

Matsuyama W, et al. Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on inflammatory markers in COPD. Chest 2005;128:3817-3827.