Evidence supporting the use of: Omega-3 fatty acids
For the health condition: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Omega-3 fatty acids have been investigated as adjunctive therapy for individuals with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), primarily due to their anti-inflammatory properties and potential benefits in managing HIV-associated comorbidities. Several small clinical trials and observational studies suggest that omega-3 supplementation may help reduce hypertriglyceridemia—a common side effect of antiretroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients. Elevated triglycerides are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and omega-3 fatty acids (like EPA and DHA) are known to lower triglyceride levels in the general population and in HIV-positive individuals.

There is limited evidence suggesting that omega-3s might modulate immune responses or inflammatory markers in HIV/AIDS, but these effects are not robustly demonstrated in clinical outcomes such as improved CD4+ counts or viral load reduction. Most research has focused on metabolic support rather than directly treating HIV infection or AIDS itself. Major guidelines do not recommend omega-3s as a primary treatment for AIDS, but they may be used to manage specific complications like dyslipidemia.

In summary, the use of omega-3 fatty acids in AIDS is supported by modest scientific evidence, mainly for managing lipid abnormalities rather than for direct immune support or antiviral effects. The overall evidence strength is low (rated 2/5), and omega-3s should not replace standard antiretroviral therapy.

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Other health conditions supported by omega-3 fatty acids

Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
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Apathy
Arrhythmia
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Arthritis
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Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
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Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Defects (prevention)
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Bloodshot Eyes
Body Building
Broken Bones
Bulimia
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cholesterol (high)
Cholesterol (low)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Epilepsy
Exercise
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Glaucoma
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritability
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Muscular Dystrophy
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Pets (supplements for)
PMS Type D
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
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Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Psoriasis
Raynaud's Disease
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Rosacea
Schizophrenia
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seborrhea
Seizures
Senility
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Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Spinal Disks
Strokes
Surgery (healing from)
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Thinking (cloudy)
Thrombosis
Triglycerides (high)
Triglycerides (low)
Vaginal Dryness