To date, fish oil supplementation studies in patients with asthma have used a combination of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. A study on the specific formula that is most effective in preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) has yet to be conducted in humans. Nevertheless, it has been shown that a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) metabolite, protectin D1, is involved in the active resolution of airway inflammation and that its concentration is greater in healthy control subjects' exhaled breath condensates as compared to patients with asthma during a clinical exacerbation. Supplementing asthmatics with DHA could enable an increased availability of protectin D1 to help resolve airway inflammation during an asthma attack. Furthermore, DHA is known to support a healthy cardiovascular system, maintain brain function, and reduce depression in addition to alleviating inflammatory diseases. Thus, pure DHA supplementation could help patients manage their asthma while providing for their overall health.
The main aim of this study is to determine whether pure DHA can attenuate EIB and airway inflammation in adults with asthma. It is hypothesized that DHA supplementation will diminish EIB and airway inflammation compared to placebo.
