Evidence supporting the use of: Omega-3 fatty acids
For the health condition: Surgery (preparation for)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been investigated for their potential benefits in surgical preparation and postoperative recovery. Scientific interest in omega-3s for surgical patients centers on their anti-inflammatory properties and their role in modulating immune responses. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have shown that perioperative supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce postoperative complications, especially infections, and may improve wound healing in certain populations—most notably in patients undergoing major abdominal or gastrointestinal surgery.

One proposed mechanism is that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce excessive inflammation, which is a common response to surgical trauma and can contribute to complications. Additionally, omega-3s may help preserve immune function and reduce the length of hospital stays. Some clinical nutrition guidelines now recommend omega-3-enriched immunonutrition formulas for malnourished surgical patients or those undergoing high-risk procedures. However, the evidence is not uniform across all types of surgery; benefits are most consistently observed in gastrointestinal and cancer surgeries, while the effects are less clear in cardiac or orthopedic procedures.

Overall, the use of omega-3 fatty acids in surgical preparation is supported by moderate scientific evidence, particularly for reducing inflammatory complications and possibly improving recovery. The practice is increasingly adopted in perioperative nutrition protocols, but more high-quality research is needed to define optimal dosing and timing for various surgical settings.

More about omega-3 fatty acids
More about Surgery (preparation for)

Other ingredients used for Surgery (preparation for)

magnesium
omega-3 fatty acids
vitamin C
zinc
Animal Tissue

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
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Anger (excessive)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
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
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Psoriasis
Raynaud's Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rosacea
Schizophrenia
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seborrhea
Seizures
Senility
Sickle Cell Anemia
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Spinal Disks
Strokes
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Thinking (cloudy)
Thrombosis
Triglycerides (high)
Triglycerides (low)
Vaginal Dryness