http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. Fish oil rich in DHA and EPA is widely believed to help prevent disease by reducing inflammation, but until now, scientists were not entirely sure about its immune enhancing effects. A new report appearing in the April 2013 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, helps provide clarity on this by showing that DHA-rich fish oil enhances B cell activity, a white blood cell, challenging the notion that fish oil is only immunosuppressive. This discovery is important as it shows that fish oil does not necessarily reduce the overall immune response to lower inflammation, possibly opening the doors for the use of fish oil among those with compromised immune systems. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-fishy-fish-oil-boost-immune.html Immunology Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:19:21 EST news284030354 (Medical Xpress)—University of Kansas researchers have found that the infants of mothers who were given 600 milligrams of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA during pregnancy weighed more at birth and were less likely to be very low birth weight and born before 34 weeks gestation than infants of mothers who were given a placebo. This result greatly strengthens the case for using the dietary supplement during pregnancy. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-prenatal-dha-early-preterm-birth.html Health Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:02:30 EST news281030538 (Medical Xpress)—Research at Oregon State University has found that one particular omega-3 fatty acid has a powerful effect in preventing liver inflammation and fibrosis – common problems that are steadily rising along with the number of Americans who are overweight. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-omega-oils-liver-disease.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:47:46 EST news279290860 Three per cent of the world's population suffer from the skin condition known as psoriasis. A Norwegian research-based company is close to developing a treatment that could help millions. The research may also prove beneficial in the treatment of other illnesses. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-revolutionary-treatment-psoriasis.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:45:04 EST news277137898 Older people who take omega-3 fish oil supplements are probably not reducing their chances of losing cognitive function, according to a new Cochrane systematic review. Based on the available data from studies lasting up to 3.5 years, the researchers concluded that the supplements offered no benefits for cognitive health over placebo capsules or margarines, but that longer term effects are worth investigating. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-role-omega-cognitive-decline-older.html Health Tue, 12 Jun 2012 19:00:12 EST news258745473 A diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients commonly found in fish, may cause your brain to age faster and lose some of its memory and thinking abilities, according to a study published in the February 28, 2012, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Omega-3 fatty acids include the nutrients called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-omega-fatty-acids-memory-problems.html Neuroscience Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:00:07 EST news249573264 Who knew that male fertility depends on sperm-cell architecture? A University of Illinois study reports that a certain omega-3 fatty acid is necessary to construct the arch that turns a round, immature sperm cell into a pointy-headed super swimmer with an extra long tail. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-scientists-link-dietary-dha-male.html Health Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:31:05 EST news245349044 University of Kansas scientists have found new evidence that infant formulas fortified with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are good for developing brains and hearts. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-09-enriched-infant-formulas-benefit-brain.html Health Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:40:03 EST news235669873 (Medical Xpress) -- A new study suggests that low levels of the highly unsaturated omega-3 essential fattyacids, in particular DHA, may be associated with increased risk of suicide. Researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) drew this finding following analysis of a large random sampling of suicide deaths among U.S. military personnel on active-duty between 2002 and 2008. The results of this retrospective study appear in the August 23 online version of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-08-links-dha-suicide-military-personnel.html Psychology & Psychiatry Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:10:35 EST news233475004 Omega 3 fatty acids may be beneficial for more than just the heart. Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine disclosed at a molecular level a potential therapeutic benefit between these dietary supplements, alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorders. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-05-fish-oil-positive-effects-mood.html Psychology & Psychiatry Thu, 26 May 2011 09:51:14 EST news225622254