Omega-3s resolving inflammation

Omega-3s & Inflammation: Can Fish Oil Supplements Help Your Body Heal Faster?

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlocking the power of SPMs: How omega-3 fatty acids and targeted supplementation can revolutionize your body's response to inflammation and promote faster healing."

Inflammation is your body's natural response to injury and infection, acting as a critical defense mechanism. However, when inflammation becomes excessive or fails to resolve properly, it can contribute to a host of chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. This makes finding effective ways to manage and resolve inflammation crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.

Emerging research highlights the importance of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), which are naturally produced from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) like EPA and DHA. These SPMs play a vital role in accelerating the resolution of acute inflammation, essentially helping your body return to a balanced state after an inflammatory event.

A recent study published in Scientific Reports investigated the impact of omega-3 supplementation on SPM production in healthy adults. The researchers aimed to validate a method for identifying specific clusters of SPMs in human plasma and serum following intravenous low-dose endotoxin and omega-3 supplementation. This article breaks down the complex science, offering insights into how you can potentially harness the power of omega-3s to support healthy inflammation resolution.

Decoding SPMs: Your Body's Natural Resolution Team

SPMs, or Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators, are like the body's internal cleanup crew after an inflammatory response. They're derived from omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) and work to:

The featured study sought to validate the identification of specific SPM clusters in human plasma and serum. Scientists from two independent laboratories analyzed samples from healthy adults who underwent intravenous low-dose endotoxin challenges (mimicking a mild infection) with and without omega-3 supplementation.

Limit the infiltration of neutrophils, which are immune cells that can cause tissue damage if they linger too long.
Stimulate macrophages, another type of immune cell, to clear away apoptotic neutrophils (dead cells) and other debris.
Promote tissue repair and regeneration.

The researchers identified specific clusters of SPMs, including resolvins (RvE1, RvD1), lipoxins (LXA4), 18-HEPE, and 17-HDHA, in both plasma and serum. Importantly, they found that omega-3 supplementation increased the levels of these SPM clusters, suggesting that boosting omega-3 intake can enhance the body's ability to produce these beneficial molecules.

The Takeaway: Fueling Your Resolution Response

This research provides compelling evidence that omega-3 supplementation can positively influence the production of SPMs, supporting your body's natural ability to resolve inflammation. By incorporating omega-3-rich foods and supplements into your diet, you may be able to enhance your body's resolution response and promote overall well-being. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or supplement regimen.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1038/s41598-018-36679-4, Alternate LINK

Title: Identification Of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediator Clusters From Healthy Adults After Intravenous Low-Dose Endotoxin And Omega-3 Supplementation: A Methodological Validation

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: Scientific Reports

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Paul C. Norris, Ann C. Skulas-Ray, Ian Riley, Chesney K. Richter, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Gordon L. Jensen, Charles N. Serhan, Krishna Rao Maddipati

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are SPMs and how do they relate to omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA?

SPMs, or Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators, are molecules derived from omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA. Think of them as the body's cleanup crew after an inflammatory event. They play a crucial role in resolving inflammation by limiting the influx of neutrophils, stimulating macrophages to clear debris, and promoting tissue repair and regeneration. The study found that omega-3 supplementation can increase the levels of these beneficial SPMs.

What role does inflammation play in the body, and why is resolving it important?

Inflammation is the body's natural defense mechanism against injury and infection. However, chronic or unresolved inflammation can contribute to various health problems such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Resolving inflammation is vital because it allows the body to return to a balanced state, preventing potential damage to tissues and organs and promoting overall well-being. SPMs, derived from EPA and DHA, actively participate in this resolution process.

How does omega-3 supplementation impact the production of SPMs?

Research indicates that omega-3 supplementation can positively influence the production of SPMs. The study analyzed samples from healthy adults and found that supplementing with omega-3s increased the levels of specific SPM clusters, including resolvins (RvE1, RvD1), lipoxins (LXA4), 18-HEPE, and 17-HDHA. This suggests that increasing omega-3 intake can enhance the body's ability to produce these beneficial molecules, supporting the resolution of inflammation.

What are the key steps involved in the resolution of inflammation that SPMs help to facilitate?

SPMs facilitate inflammation resolution through several key actions. Firstly, they limit the infiltration of neutrophils, which are immune cells that can cause tissue damage if their presence is prolonged. Secondly, they stimulate macrophages, another type of immune cell, to clear away apoptotic neutrophils (dead cells) and other debris, effectively cleaning up the inflammatory site. Finally, SPMs actively promote tissue repair and regeneration, helping the body to heal and return to normal function. These processes are all supported by omega-3 derived molecules EPA and DHA.

What are some practical ways to incorporate omega-3s into your diet, and what should you consider before making changes?

You can increase your omega-3 intake by consuming omega-3-rich foods such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, etc.) and considering omega-3 supplements. Before making any significant changes to your diet or supplement regimen, it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized guidance based on your individual health needs and ensure that any changes you make are safe and appropriate for you. The goal is to enhance your body's resolution response, promoting overall well-being through the influence of EPA and DHA on SPM production.