A study published by the Journal of Psychophysiology discovered omega-3 fatty acid supplementation helps decrease cigarette cravings and oxidative stress among men who smoke heavily.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. This knowledge inspired a range of anti-smoking campaigns over the last 20 years. As a result, public education has dramatically improved, and the prevalence of cigarette smoking has decreased by 15%.
Why is it so difficult to quit smoking?
Despite improved education about the dangers of smoking, the fact remains that this is a very difficult habit to break. In fact, approximately 70% of smokers express a desire to quit. Of these, about 95% of those who join smoking cessation programs fail.
Although there are a variety of factors that challenge one’s ability to quit smoking, physical addiction is a primary contributor. Nicotine is the chemical component in cigarettes that causes physical addiction. When inhaled, nicotine stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin (also known as the “feel good” hormones). When dopamine levels begin to drop, the body starts craving another cigarette to elicit the same response. In time, the body builds a tolerance to nicotine. In other words, the body requires more nicotine to induce the same response.
Currently, there are seven FDA approved medications to help decrease cravings. In addition, doctors and researchers continue to search for natural alternatives to support those attempting to break this habit, including fish oils supplementation.
The relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and brain health
Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for a wide range of bodily functions. They are located in the membranes of all cells in the body, including the brain. Omega-3s preserve cell membrane health, facilitate communication between brain cells, and decrease oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
Smoking decreases serotonin levels in the body and reduces omega-3 concentration in the brain and blood. Since omega-3 fatty acids are responsible for serotonin functioning in the brain and reducing oxidative stress in the body, researchers recently decided to conduct a study to evaluate this relationship further.
New research on fish oil and smoking cessation
In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, researchers aimed to determine whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves cigarette cravings and oxidative stress in heavy smokers. A total of 54 men who smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day were included in this trial.
The participants were randomly assigned to take either five capsules of fish oil supplements or a placebo daily for three months. The fish oils contained a total of 900 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 600 mg of docosahexanoic acid (two forms of omega-3 fatty acids).
The researchers evaluated the participant’s nicotine dependence and cigarette craving. In addition, the participants received a blood draw to determine oxidative stress and reported their smoking habits throughout the duration of the study.
What were the study’s findings?
Those who supplemented with fish oil supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids experienced a significant reduction in cigarette craving, nicotine dependence, and number of cigarettes smoked per day compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001). In addition, the omega-3 fatty acid group experienced a significant decrease in total oxidant status (p = 0.008) and oxidative stress (p = 0.011) after three months.
The researchers concluded:
“This study showed that high-dose omega-3 fatty acid supplementation appears to be useful in reducing cigarette craving and oxidative stress index in heavy-smoker males.”
Final thoughts
This study offers promising findings regarding the use of fish oils as a tool to decrease cigarette cravings and oxidative stress. Having said that, the trial had a relatively small sample size. Furthermore, since the researchers only evaluated this relationship in men, these findings may not be translatable to the general population.
However, omega-3 supplementation offers a variety of beneficial health outcomes. For this reason, it’s essential to ensure your needs are being met.
We receive our omega-3 fatty acids through the diet and oral supplementation. Dietary sources include fish, seafood, nuts and seeds, plant oils, and fortified foods. Recommended dosage ranges between 0.5g – 1.6g per day, depending on your age and pregnancy status.
Whether you are interested in taking omega-3 fatty acids for support with smoking cessation or general wellness, a good rule of thumb is to visit the Office of Dietary Supplements to learn more about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and recommended dosing.
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