Omega-3 Benefits and Facts - Part 5

Introduction
Cardiovascular and Heart Disease
Pregnancy and Infant Nutrition
Skin Conditions
Joint Health and Arthritis
Other Diseases

Joint Health and Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease involving the synovial membranes and articular structures of multiple joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is often progressive and results in pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joints. In late stages, deformity and ankylosis can develop. Joint deformities and disability result from the erosion and destruction of synovial membranes and articular surfaces. Rheumatoid arthritis can range from being short and limited or progressive and severe. Rheumatoid arthritis involves inflammation in the lining of the joints and/or other internal organs. While rheumatoid arthritis typically affects many different joints, it is typically chronic, which means it lasts a long time and can be a disease of flare-ups. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. The diagnosis is based routinely on the persistence of arthritic symptoms over time. The application of classification systems based on qualifying symptom criteria aids in establishing a diagnosis for arthritis, but a treatment has yet to be found.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic disease that affects the entire body and is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It is characterized by the inflammation of the membrane lining the joint, which causes pain, stiffness, warmth, redness and swelling. The inflamed joint lining, the synovium, can invade and damage bone and cartilage. Inflammatory cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage. The involved joint can lose its shape and alignment, resulting in pain and loss of movement. Rheumatoid arthritis usually begins between the ages of 25 and 50. It often develops suddenly.

There has been considerable number of in vitro and animal models testing the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This research as well as some clinical trials suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the severity of the symptoms, slow the progression of the disease and reduce the need for drug treatment. The potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids may be due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The evidence, while promising is not conclusive at this time.

In addition, there is considerable evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a severe autoimmune disease. In one study, 66 patients were randomized to receive omega-3 fatty acids or placebo. Those who received omega-3 fatty acids had clinical improvement including a decrease in the number of tender joints and other arthritic symptoms.

To study the long-term effects of supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, ninety patients were enrolled in a 12-month, double-blind, randomized study comparing daily supplementation with either 2.6 gm of Omega-3, or 1.3 gm of Omega-3 plus 3 gm of olive oil, or 6 gm of olive oil. Significant improvement in the patient's global evaluation and in the physician's assessment of pain was observed only in those taking 2.6 gm/day of Omega-3. The proportions of patients who improved and of those who were able to reduce their concomitant arthritis medications were significantly greater with 2.6 gm/day of Omega-3.

Supporting Joint Health and Rheumatoid Arthritis References:

Ariza-Ariza R, Mestanza-Peralta M., Cardiel M.H.; Omega-3 fatty acids in rheumatoid arthritis: an overview. Semin Arthritis Rheum 1998 Jun 27:6 366-70.

Kremer J.M. Lawrence D.A. Petrillo G.F. Litts LL. Mullaly P.M. Rynes R.I. Stocker R.P. Parhami N. Greenstein N.S. Fuchs B.R. et al. Effects of high-dose fish oil on rheumatoid arthritis after stopping nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Clinical and immune correlates. [Clinical Trial. Journal Article. Multicenter Study. Randomized Controlled Trial] Arthritis & Rheumatism.

Kjeldsen-Kragh J. Lund JA. Riise T. Finnanger B. Haaland K. Finstad R. Mikkelsen K. Forre O. Dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and naproxen treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. [Clinical Trial. Journal Article. Randomized Controlled Trial] Journal of Rheumatology. 19(10):1531-6, 1992 Oct.

Simopoulos, Artemis P. Cent. Genet. Update on omega-3 fatty acids. Nutr. Health, American Assoc. World Health, Washington, DC, USA. Epitheorese Klinikes Farmakologias kai Farmakokinetikes (1989), 7(2), 67-72.

Information Links on Rheumatoid Arthritis:

ClinicalTrials.gov: Arthritis, Rheumatoid (National Institutes of Health, Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (MedlinePlus, Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) (Arthritis Foundation)

Medical Oils for Rheumatoid Arthritis (Arthritis Foundation)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (Arthritis Foundation)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (Medline Articles on Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (Mayo Clinic Overview of Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Special Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis? (Mayo Clinic)

This material has been provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as recommendations. Please consult your health care provider first if you have any health problems or suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

Soft-E-Care™ products that contain Omega-3 fatty acids:
Omega-T™
Coromega™