A surreal image showcasing the benefits of omega-3s and SPMs for overall wellness.

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

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 3 min read.

"Discover how omega-3 fatty acids and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) can help resolve inflammation and promote overall wellness."

Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury and infection. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to a host of health problems, including heart disease, arthritis, and other serious conditions. But what if there was a natural way to help your body resolve inflammation and promote healing? Enter omega-3 fatty acids and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs).

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential fats that play a crucial role in various bodily functions. While they're well-known for their heart-health benefits, research has shown that they also have potent anti-inflammatory properties. But how exactly do they work to resolve inflammation?

A recent study published in Scientific Reports investigated the impact of omega-3 supplementation on inflammation resolution in healthy adults. The study, which involved intravenous low-dose endotoxin (LPS) and omega-3 supplementation, revealed fascinating insights into the role of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in resolving inflammation. Let's delve into the details of this research and uncover the potential benefits of omega-3s for your health.

Understanding SPMs: The Key to Resolving Inflammation

A surreal image showcasing the benefits of omega-3s and SPMs for overall wellness.

Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are molecules produced from omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA. These mediators play a critical role in resolving acute inflammation and promoting tissue repair. SPMs work by:

The recent study identified specific clusters of SPMs in human plasma and serum, including resolvins (RvE1, RvD1), lipoxins (LX)B4, 18-HEPE, and 17-HDHA. These SPM clusters were found to increase after omega-3 supplementation and low-dose endotoxin challenge.

Limiting the exposure to pathogens
Enhancing innate host defense responses
Stimulating macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils and microbes
Promoting tissue protection and repair

The study's findings suggest that omega-3 supplementation can boost the production of these SPMs, helping the body to more effectively resolve inflammation. This could have significant implications for preventing and managing chronic inflammatory diseases.

Harnessing the Power of Omega-3s for Your Health

By incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, you can support your body's natural ability to resolve inflammation and promote overall well-being. Whether through diet or supplementation, ensuring you get enough of these essential fats can be a powerful tool in maintaining a healthy, balanced life. As always, consult with your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or supplement regimen.

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Everything You Need To Know

How do omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA contribute to resolving inflammation in the body?

Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are converted into specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). These SPMs, such as resolvins (RvE1, RvD1) and lipoxins (LX)B4, actively work to resolve inflammation by limiting exposure to pathogens, enhancing the body's defense responses, stimulating the removal of apoptotic neutrophils and microbes through macrophage phagocytosis, and promoting tissue repair. Without sufficient EPA and DHA, the production of these crucial SPMs may be limited, potentially prolonging inflammation.

What are specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) and what role do they play in the body's inflammatory response?

Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are molecules derived from omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, that are crucial for resolving acute inflammation. These mediators, such as resolvins (RvE1, RvD1), lipoxins (LX)B4, 18-HEPE, and 17-HDHA, facilitate the resolution process by limiting the exposure to pathogens, boosting innate host defense responses, stimulating macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils and microbes, and promoting tissue protection and repair. In essence, they actively switch off the inflammatory response once its purpose has been served. A deficiency in SPMs could result in unresolved inflammation and chronic health issues.

What does the study published in Scientific Reports reveal about the relationship between omega-3 supplementation, endotoxins, and inflammation resolution?

The study in *Scientific Reports* investigated the impact of omega-3 supplementation on inflammation resolution using intravenous low-dose endotoxin (LPS). The findings suggest that omega-3 supplementation boosts the production of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in human plasma and serum, including resolvins (RvE1, RvD1) and lipoxins (LX)B4. This increase in SPMs helps the body more effectively resolve inflammation. The implication is that by increasing omega-3 intake, individuals may enhance their body's ability to manage and resolve inflammatory responses more efficiently.

Besides heart health, what are other potential benefits of incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into one's diet or supplement regimen?

Beyond cardiovascular benefits, omega-3 fatty acids can significantly aid in resolving inflammation throughout the body. By providing the building blocks for specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) like resolvins (RvE1, RvD1), lipoxins (LX)B4, 18-HEPE, and 17-HDHA, omega-3s can enhance the body's capacity to manage and resolve inflammation, potentially preventing or mitigating chronic inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, omega-3 supplementation can support tissue repair, limit exposure to pathogens, and boost innate host defense responses.

If omega-3 fatty acids and SPMs help resolve inflammation, what are the potential long-term implications for managing chronic diseases, such as arthritis and heart disease?

Given that omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, lead to the production of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) like resolvins and lipoxins that promote inflammation resolution, consistent intake may offer a natural method to control chronic inflammation. Long-term, adequate levels of omega-3s may help reduce the severity and progression of chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis and heart disease, by supporting the body's natural ability to heal and maintain tissue homeostasis. Ensuring sufficient omega-3 intake through diet or supplementation could be a preventative strategy, but it's crucial to consult with healthcare providers for personalized advice.