Prostaglandins are hormone like substances found in nearly all tissue throughout the body. They are produced by the conjugation of fatty acids and synthesized in cell membranes. Prostaglandins play a role in both the creation and resolution of inflammation, which is the body’s response to infection or injury. Inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of arthritis, cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.

Prostaglandins are catalysts in a number of processes throughout the body. In addition to controlling inflammatory function, they also dilate bronchial tubes, increase blood flow in the kidney, maintain homeostasis in the body, and regulate the cell’s communication system.

There are two pathways of prostaglandin synthesis. The first begins with omega-6 linoleic acid and the second with omega-3 alpha-linoleic acid. The first pathway produces anti-inflammatory series 1 prostaglandins from dihomo-y-linolenic acid (DGLA) and inflammatory series 2 prostaglandins from arachidonic acid (AA). The second pathway yields anti-inflammatory series 3 prostaglandins from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Although the inflammatory nature of the series 2 prostaglandins sounds like a bad thing, it’s actually a protective mechanism whereby the body immobilizes the site of injury preventing further harm. The body needs to be able to inflame so it can anti-inflame by initiating an immune response.

Medications such as aspirin and other NSAIDS like ibuprofen, and also steroids such as prednisone, all provide their anti-inflammatory effect by blocking prostaglandin formation. The NSAID class of medications block the conversion of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid by inhibiting the cyclo-oxygenase enzymes COX-1 and 2. Steroids exert their affect by inhibiting phospholipase A2, which blocks the conversion of arachidonic acid from phospholipids in cell membranes.

Prostaglandins are derived from the fats in our diet. PG1 is produced from the omega-6 fatty acids such as corn, safflower and peanut oils, black currant seed and evening primrose. PG3 stems from the omega-3 fatty acids such as flax, walnut, hemp and fish oils. And, PG2 is derived from the saturated fats including meat, dairy, and coconut oil. While prostaglandins work to facilitate homeostasis throughout various body systems, they also promote disease processes. This is why it’s so important that they are in balance. The optimal mixture of healthy fatty acids is 60% monounsaturated fats, 30% saturated fats, and 10% polyunsaturated fats with an optimal omega 3:6 ratio of 1:1. Historically, this wasn’t much of an issue when people were consuming unprocessed animal products which are much higher in omega 3 fatty acids. With the advent of factory farming and the replacement of saturated fats with highly processed vegetable oils, the consumption of omega 6 fatty acids has increased dramatically. Fatty acid deficiency can manifest as endocrine issues, immune dysfunction, cardiovascular problems, allergies, and even depression. And while inflammation can be treated with pharmaceutical agents, it can also be effectively managed with nutritional therapy. The best, and safest way to control inflammation in the body is to eat a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, eliminate inflammatory foods, get plenty of exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and manage stress. Adopting these healthy lifestyle modifications can eliminate the need for anti-inflammatory medications and the subsequent side effects that accompany them.

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