Using fish oil supplements when you have gout can produce contradictory results. While fish oil can help to relieve inflammation in a way similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the type of fish used in the oil can cause gout attacks. There is some debate on this problem, with medical researchers on one side claiming that as long as the fish oil is processed at a pharmaceutical grade level, it should not cause gout sufferers problems. On the other side, medical researchers warn against putting purine-rich substances such as sardines into your body if you have gout.
Gout
The form of arthritis known as gout occurs in your body if your kidneys do not regularly remove enough uric acid from your system. When uric acid does not leave your body through urination, it settles into your joints, usually in your feet, and solidifies into crystals. These crystals become sharp and stick into your joints, causing inflammation. When this happens, you will suddenly get a gout attack. This causes severe pain in your big toe, heel, instep or other areas of your feet. A typical gout attack lasts from five to 10 days, with the middle days usually containing the most pain. The affected area of your gout attack will feel warm to the touch and appear red.
Purines
Purines are substances you ingest from a variety of foods. You get them from eating meat, fish and some vegetables. Nutritionists break down foods into high-, medium- and low-purine foods. Those foods that contain the highest levels of purines tend to cause more gout attacks. Sardines are in the high-purine food group, along with anchovies, mussels, herring, haddock, trout and other fish, FamilyDoctor.org notes. The medical website warns gout sufferers to avoid ingesting such foods.
Fish Oil
Fish oil classifies as an omega-3-acid ethyl ester and generally contains eicosapentaenoic acid, called commonly by its initials, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Physicians often recommend the use of fish oil to help control the fatty part of cholesterol known as triglycerides. It also has other uses. The journal "Surgical Neurology" reports that a study of people with inflammation pain have experienced some relief because of the anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil.
Cautions
Dr. James McKoy, a rheumatologist, states in "Arthritis Today" that when manufacturers process fish oil, whether from sardines or other fish, they distill it. This, McKoy notes, removes the potentially harmful purines. He cautions, though, that you should "buy only pharmaceutical-grade, molecularly distilled fish oil supplements." If you buy cheap fish oil made from sardines or other fish from less-than-reputable manufacturers, it may not meet this criterion and potentially could cause problems with your gout.
References
- Drugs.com: Gout
- ArthritisToday.org: Safety of Fish Oil Supplements With Gout
- MayoClinic.com: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid; July 2011
- Surgical Neurology: ω-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil); J.C. Maroon & J.W. Bost; Oct. 2005
- MayoClinic.com: Nutrition and Healthy Eating; Gout Diet; March 2010
- FamilyDoctor.org: Low-Purine Diet; Nov. 2009
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