Oily Fish Fosters Healthy Blood Fat
(HealthDayNews, 3/7/05)

According to a report in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, researchers have isolated an anti-inflammatory lipid, called resolvin E, that may be responsible for the health benefits conferred by consuming oily fish, like salmon. Investigators identified this blood fat, which is derived from the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, in subjects who had ingested omega 3 fatty acids and aspirin. Resolvin E1 seems to stop inflammatory cells from moving to “sites of inflammation,” explaining how a diet high in oily fish can reduce inflammation. As an aside, the scientists also note that the body normally uses cox-2 to manufacture resolvin E1 and that may explain why drugs like Vioxx and Celebrex, that inhibit cox-2, may increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.

(Journal of Experimental Medicine, March 7, 2005)