The health benefits associated with fish oil have been the subject of research since scientists discovered that people who ate more fish had fewer heart attacks and strokes. Besides cardiovascular disease, other conditions reputedly alleviated by consuming fish oil include depression, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and attention deficit disorder. Arthritis sufferers, too, are turning to fish oil, with the hope that their joint symptoms will improve.
Inflammation is the Key to Arthritis Pain
The pain, redness, swelling, warmth and joint deformity that characterize arthritis are caused by inflammation. Scientists are not exactly sure what triggers arthritis, but medications that decrease inflammation usually lead to a reduction in symptoms. Some therapeutic modalities focus on preventing the production of chemicals that promote inflammation. Others modulate the activities of immune cells that are involved in the inflammatory response.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inflammation
Eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, are long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that provide fish oil with its beneficial properties. Fatty acids are the building blocks for a variety of complex substances in your body, including cholesterol, steroid hormones and a group of molecules called prostanoids. Some prostanoids cause inflammation in your tissues, while others are anti-inflammatory in nature. According to the May 2010 "Nutrition Reviews," the prostanoids that are synthesized from EPA and DHA are potent anti-inflammatories.
Fish Oil and Arthritis
Omega-3 fatty acids' ability to reduce arthritis symptoms has been substantiated in a number of studies. One trial in the March-April 2010 "Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition" showed that intravenous infusions of omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced pain and joint swelling in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. A March-April 2010 "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" review demonstrated benefits from dietary omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence of benefit for osteoarthritis, which is far more common than rheumatoid arthritis, is not as strong. However, a June 2002 "Arthritis and Rheumatism" study showed that inflammatory changes in osteoarthritis-damaged cartilage could be ameliorated by omega-3 fatty acids.
Considerations
If you have arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, research suggests that you may obtain some benefit from taking fish oil supplements. However, there is not enough evidence to show that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil will prevent or cure arthritis. If you have arthritis and would like to add a fish oil supplement to your daily routine, talk with your physician first.
References
- PubMed.gov: Fatty acids from fish: the anti-inflammatory potential of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
- PubMed.gov: Omega-3 acids infusions as adjuvant therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.
- PubMed.gov: Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory dietary supplements for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- PubMed.gov: Pathologic indicators of degradation and inflammation in human osteoarthritic cartilage are abrogated by exposure to n-3 fatty acids.
Member Comments