ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS MAY REDUCE RISK OF PNEUMONIA.

Essential fatty acids modulate inflammation and glucose metabolism and may alter infection risk. According to a study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examining the association between intakes of essential fatty acids (EFAs) and the risk of community-acquired pneumonia found intakes of omega-6 linoleic acid (LA) and omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were associated with reduced risk of infection. Pneumonia risk decreased 4% for every 1 g/d increase in LA intake. Pneumonia risk decreased 31% for every 1 g/d increase in ALA intake. (Merchant, A.T., Curhan, G.C., et al. “Intake of n- 6 and n-3 fatty acids and in US men.” Am Jour Clin Nutr. 2005;82(3):668-674.)