Omega 3s reduce cytokine production?

The omega-3 polyunsaturates have significant anti-inflammatory properties. It is thought that they work by suppressing the production of the inflammatory that the body makes, such as eicosanoids cytokines (small proteins or polypeptides that function in hormone-like fashion in cell-to-cell communication). In vivo studies have shown that fish oil consumption reduces the production of these pro-inflammatory compounds, including cytokines IL-1 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF).

Hundreds of years ago, people used to take cod liver oil 'for all manner of lameness', but it wasn't until the 20th century that researchers discovered the omega-3 fatty acids and that they were found in abundance in cod liver oil. Following the discovery of the omega-3s, it wasn't long before scientists decided to test the anecdotal association between fish oils, joint pain and stiffnessto find out Granny really did know best!