Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It affects the inner layer of the large intestine and rectum causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, weight loss and aching joints. There is no cure for ulcerative colitis, but anti-inflammatory drugs and immune system suppressors often help to bring on disease remission. Fish oil might also help to alleviate symptoms although evidence to prove this is mixed. Get medical advice before taking a fish oil supplement and do not use it in place of prescription treatments.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Fish oil is derived from fatty fish like tuna, cod liver and whale blubber. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, the most important of which are known as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. These omega-3 fatty acids might play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of ailments including asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression and schizophrenia.The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that fish oil supplements containing omega-3s may also reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis or prevent them from recurring.
Effectiveness
Scientific evidence supporting the use of fish oil in the treatment of ulcerative colitis is mixed. The results of a clinical trial published in the October 2003 issue of "Nutrition" show that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may protect ulcerative colitis patients against the damaging effects of oxidative stress. However, an analysis of data from three clinical studies, published in the July 2007 "Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews" concludes that there is no evidence to support the use of omega-3 fatty acids for maintenance of remission in patients with ulcerative colitis patients.
Sources and Administration
Fish oil may be obtained by eating oily fish or taking a fish oil supplement in capsule form. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that taking a dose equivalent to 3.7 g of eicosapentaenoic acid and 2.2 g of docosahexaenoic acid per day might help to reduce symptoms. Bear in mind that this is only a general guideline. Check with your doctor about whether or not this dosage is suitable for you.
Safety Considerations
Although Medline Plus notes that taking up to 3 g of fish oil daily is likely safe for the majority of people, it may cause side effects such as belching, heartburn, nausea, and loose stools. Don't take more than 3 g daily except under medical advice as higher doses might have an anticoagulant effect and increase the risk of bleeding. Keep in mind that fish oil supplements might not be suitable for everyone. For example, its use is contraindicated in several conditions including liver disease and HIV.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ulcerative Colitis
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Omega-3
- "Nutrition"; Decreased Oxidative Stress in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis Supplemented With Fish Oil Omega-3 Fatty Acids; D.S. Barbosa, et al.; October 2003
- Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews"; Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) for Maintenance of Remission in Ulcerative Colitis; D. Turner, et al.; July 2007
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
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