Omega Fatty Acids in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases



There are approximately 3,000 dermatological conditions, each with varying etiologies including inflammatory, autoimmune, allergic, degenerative, and oncological origins.

Globally, the prevalence of certain skin disorders is significant:

700 million individuals are affected by acne
230 million suffer from atopic dermatitis
125 million live with psoriasis

These figures are continuously increasing, and the precise causes of these conditions often remain unknown. What is certain, however, is that these skin disorders have a substantial impact on the lives of those affected—both physically and psychologically—since the symptoms are often difficult to manage, even with pharmacological interventions.

The most common clinical manifestations include skin dryness, the appearance of papules, itching, and burning sensations, frequently resulting in heightened states of irritability, insomnia, stress, and reduced self-esteem.

How Can Essential Fatty Acids Improve Quality of Life?

It is well established that essential fatty acids exert beneficial effects at multiple levels in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, owing to their ability to influence the lipid composition of cell membranes, gene expression, cellular metabolism, and signal transduction pathways.

Specifically concerning the skin, these fatty acids are integral components of the epidermis.

Essential Fatty Acids as components of the epidermal lipid matrix

The outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum) contains an extracellular lipid matrix, in which linoleic acid (LA) is the most prominent among polyunsaturated fatty acids. LA serves as a precursor to ceramides and is a key constituent of the skin’s “permeability barrier“.

Within the stratum corneum, approximately 50% of the lipids are ceramides, 25% cholesterol, and 15% free fatty acids. Notably, the epidermis can synthesize only monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, but not polyunsaturated ones, which must be obtained through the diet.

Therefore, a diet or supplementation regimen rich in plant-derived essential fatty acids may contribute to the prevention or mitigation of chronic inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, acne, and psoriasis, while also supporting overall skin health.