Fish oil omega 3 and rheumatoid arthritis

Fish oils appear to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and this is commensurate with the role of Fish oil omega 3 fatty acids in suppression of the production of inflammatory eicosanoids. Some reports have publicized that very long chain omega 3 fatty acids decrease pain and morning stiffness and decrease the require for NSAIDs. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of 10 double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trials in 395 patients confirmed that fish oil taken for three months was associated with a statistically significant reduction in joint tenderness and morning stiffness, however no significant improvements in joint swelling, grip strength or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, a marker of inflammation). On the other hand, a US review carried out for the Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on rheumatoid arthritis concluded that from nine studies reporting outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, fish oil omega 3 fatty acids had no effect on patient reports of pain, swollen joint count, ESR and patients’ global assessment by meta-analysis. A Dutch double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group research in 66 patients with rheumatoid arthritis using 1.4 g EPA, 0.211 g DHA and 0.5 g gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) with micronutrients discovered no significant modification from baseline in tender joint count, swollen joint count, visual analogue scales for pain and disease activity, grip strength, functionality scores and morning stiffness. The conclusion was that this research adds information regarding doses of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids below which antiinflammatory effects in rheumatoid arthritis aren't seen.