Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tobacco use and its smoke produces oxidative stress in the body, which eventually triggers cell damage by lipid peroxidation. Smokers report lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) in their serum as compared to nonsmokers. Omega-3 deficiency impairs neurotransmission, resulting in hypofunctioning of the mesocortical system, which is a reward and dependency system that can raise tobacco cravings, disrupting tobacco quitting efforts. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) regulates stress, anxiety, and negative emotions that are associated with tobacco urges. Limited research has assessed the supplementation effect of omega-3 PUFA [in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)] on tobacco craving.
AIM: We aimed to explore the effects of omega-3 PUFA (ALA) on the frequency of tobacco use per day, tobacco dependence, and tobacco craving when compared to placebo in regular tobacco users.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Regular tobacco users (n = 83) recruited from the Tobacco Cessation Clinic were randomly allocated to two groups. Group I was the omega-3 PUFA group, supplemented with 10 mL/day of omega-3 PUFA in the form of ALA (5.1 gm) for 180 days, and the other group received a placebo for the same duration. The outcome was evaluated by means of a case record form (for demographic parameters), self-reports of tobacco use (for frequency of tobacco use per day), as well as psychometric measures (for tobacco dependence and tobacco craving). The evaluations were carried out at baseline and after 180 days of intervention.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The frequency of tobacco use per day, tobacco dependence, and tobacco craving were found to be significantly decreased (p < 0.0001) in the group receiving omega-3 PUFA (ALA) at the end of supplementation. This is a novel approach that ALA supplementation reduces tobacco cravings in regular tobacco users in comparison to a placebo. Thus, omega-3 FAs may be an adjuvant tool in quitting tobacco use by reducing nicotine dependence and tobacco craving. Further studies are necessary with large samples to understand the possible association and explore the probable nonpharmacological approaches for tobacco cessation.