Supplements of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E may help control genes involved in brain inflammation and body metabolism in patients with Parkinson’s disease, a study published in Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery. Study participants were randomly divided into two groups: one taking 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil together with 400 IU of vitamin E supplements daily; and another taking a placebo. The expression of genes involved in inflammation and body metabolism was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from patients.
After 12 weeks, PBMCs from patients taking daily dietary supplements had lower activity of TNF-alpha, but not of other genes involved in inflammation, such as IL-1 and interleukin-8 (IL-8), compared with those on a placebo. “Therefore, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation due to their beneficial effects on inflammatory markers may be useful to control neurological symptoms in a population with PD [Parkinson’s disease],” the researchers wrote.