Macrophages accumulate in excess in extra pounds of body fat.  Once there they generate excess amounts of inflammation that not only causes insulin resistance that leads to type 2 diabetes but also adds to the overall inflammatory burden of the entire body making a person more at risk for any disease of aging.  A new study proves the molecular mechanism by which DHA turns off macrophage inflammation¹ within white adipose tissue.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine identified the key inflammatory on-off switch on the cell surface of macrophages.  It is a G-protein receptor called GPR120.  This receptor is found only on pro-inflammatory macrophages in mature fat cells. When the receptor is turned off, the macrophage produces inflammatory effects. But exposed to omega-3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the GPR120 receptor is activated and generates a strong anti-inflammatory effect.

“It’s just an incredibly potent effect,” said Jerrold Olefsky, a professor of medicine and associate dean of scientific affairs for the UC San Diego School of Medicine. “The omega-3 fatty acids switch on the receptor, killing the inflammatory response.”

“This is nature at work,” said Olefsky. “The receptor evolved to respond to a natural product—omega-3 fatty acids—so that the inflammatory process can be controlled. Our work shows how fish oils safely do this, and suggests a possible way to treating the serious problems of inflammation in obesity and in conditions like diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease through simple dietary supplementation.”

Human studies with DHA show that 500 - 1,000 mg of DHA per day offer excellent baseline support for general health and some degree of metabolic problem.  Doses up to 3,000 mg of DHA per day (not of total fish oil which would be a much higher dose) may be needed to resolve stubborn metabolic problems.  Thus, a person can start out at a lower level and gradually work their way up to a point they notice their metabolism is working better and then stay on that dose as they work to consistently lose weight.

Of course, DHA helps blood sugar metabolism in other ways, such as boosting production of the insulin-sensitizing hormone adiponectin and lowering triglycerides which helps improve leptin resistance.

Posted by Byron J Richards at 02:31 PM.

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