| For those suffering from the painful and often | | | | could help reduce cancer risks. |
| debilitating effects of rheumatoid arthritis, the only | | | | Fish oil's effect as an anti-inflammatory agent is of |
| possibility of relief - until recently - involved either painful | | | | particular interest to rheumatoid arthritis patients, since |
| surgery or expensive medications that also bring with | | | | the disease results from the inflammation of the lining |
| them their own complications. | | | | of the joints. |
| Now, however, an increasing amount of research into | | | | A 1993 study gave rheumatoid arthritis patients 2.8 |
| alternative therapies has shown promising results from | | | | grams of fish oil daily compared to a placebo given to |
| fish oil and fish oil supplements. The omega-3 fatty | | | | others. After three months, those receiving the fish oil |
| acids found in large amounts in fish oil seems to act as | | | | supplementation showed decreased use of |
| an anti-inflammatory agent with no serious side effects | | | | non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) |
| and only the possibility of some minor adverse | | | | compared to those given the placebo, and after 12 |
| reactions. Omega-3 is found naturally in fish oil or can | | | | months that reduction peaked. |
| be ingested through supplements, which is even safer | | | | Another study in 1995 showed 130 milligrams of fish oil |
| than eating fish known to have high concentrations of | | | | supplements per kilogram of the person's weight per |
| omega-3 because those fish also run the risk of | | | | day could decrease the number of tender joints, the |
| containing toxic chemicals such as mercury and PCB's. | | | | duration of morning stiffness and overall pain |
| Fish oil has been shown to benefit those with cardiac | | | | experienced by rheumatoid arthritis patients. |
| problems, improve cholesterol levels and increase brain | | | | It has also been shown that the amount of omega-3 |
| function. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, studies | | | | fatty acids added can be lowered if combined with a |
| have shown increased amounts of omega-3, which | | | | decreased amount of omega-6 fats, which is found in |
| has the highest concentrations in fish oil, improves their | | | | many vegetable oils and actually promotes |
| condition, decreases the amount of time they have | | | | inflammation. Some research suggests increased |
| stiffness in the morning and can also decrease the | | | | levels of omega-6 can heighten the possibility of some |
| amount of non-steroid anti-inflammation drugs they | | | | diseases and depression. Many Western diets have |
| have to take to combat the illness. | | | | ratios of omega-6 compared to omega-3 of 10 to 1, |
| These non-steroid anti-inflammation drugs come with | | | | though some can be as high as 30 to 1. The ration |
| plenty of potential side effects, most commonly | | | | should be 1 to 1. |
| nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, rash, dizziness | | | | A 2000 study showed that lower doses of omega-3 |
| and constipation. More serious side effects include fluid | | | | supplements could lessen inflammation from arthritis if |
| retention, which can lead to edema. The most serious | | | | paired with a reduction in the amount of omega-6s |
| side effects range from kidney and liver failure, to | | | | ingested. The amount of omega-3 found to still be |
| ulcers and prolonged bleeding after surgery. | | | | effective was lowered to 2.3 grams if small amounts |
| Steroid medications can be prescribed for the most | | | | of omega-6 were included in the patient's diet. |
| seriously affected patients, but those also have serious | | | | Use of both steroid and non-steroid medication to |
| side effects, such as bone loss, suppress the body's | | | | reduce symptoms in patients with severe arthritis was |
| immune system and increase blood sugar levels. | | | | found in 2003 to be lowered if omega-3s were added |
| On the other hand, fish oil supplements have shown to | | | | to the diet and omega-6s reduced. Again, using less of |
| have no side effects and only minor adverse | | | | the medications means less risk of their side effects. |
| reactions. They are also much cheaper than the | | | | In Leuven, Belgium, patients were divided into three |
| non-inflammatory medications and more readily | | | | groups: one group received six tablets of olive oil a |
| available. | | | | day as the placebo group; the second received three |
| While eating fish could be an important part of a good | | | | tablets of olive oil and three tablets of fish oil per day; |
| diet, fish oil supplements may be better and safer due | | | | and the last group received six tablets of fish oil each |
| to the fact that in order to reap the benefits of | | | | day. |
| omega-3, a large amount of fish would need to be | | | | After three months, the placebo group showed very |
| eaten on a regular basis and the fish with the highest | | | | little improvement (about 10 percent showed some |
| concentrations also may contain toxic chemicals. | | | | signs of being better), while 33 percent in the group |
| Meanwhile, taking fish oil supplements ensures the | | | | receiving split treatment showed improvement. |
| dosage is regulated properly and worries about | | | | However, 53 percent of patients receiving fish oil alone |
| mercury or other toxic chemicals are non-existent | | | | showed significant signs of improvement and 47 |
| since they are removed in pharmaceutical grade | | | | percent of this group was able to reduce its use of |
| supplements. | | | | non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. In the placebo |
| To understand the potential benefits of fish oil and fish | | | | group, only 15 percent lowered their use of the |
| oil supplements, it is important to first understand | | | | non-steroid anti-inflammatories and 29 percent were |
| rheumatoid arthritis, what causes it and thus how fish | | | | able to do so in the split group. |
| oil can counteract it. | | | | The Belgium scientists concluded long-time use of fish |
| What is rheumatoid arthritis? | | | | oils can improve the effects of rheumatoid arthritis |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, chronic type of arthritis | | | | significantly and can also decrease the use of |
| that impacts about 1.3 million people in the U.S., and | | | | non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. |
| occurs about three times more often in women than in | | | | A similar study at the University of Newcastle in |
| men. | | | | Australia seems to back this conclusion. In that study, |
| While the exact cause of the disease remains | | | | 50 patients who had been diagnosed with rheumatoid |
| unknown, contributing factors to developing it are | | | | arthritis were studied for 15 weeks. All the patients had |
| believed to include genetics, environment and | | | | a diet in which they consumed less than 10 grams per |
| hormones. | | | | day of omega-6 fatty acids. Half the patients were |
| Infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi | | | | given a placebo consisting of a 50-50 mixture of corn |
| have been suspected as causes, but this has not been | | | | and olive oil, while the other group was given fish oil |
| proven. It is possible an outside source, such as the | | | | capsules providing a daily intake of about 2.8 grams |
| environment, may trigger the immune system of the | | | | for an average sized person. |
| body to mistakenly initiate the reaction. Usually, it is | | | | All the subjects continued their regular diets and |
| believed a combination of problems result in contracting | | | | medications. Tests were taken initially and then at 4, 8 |
| rheumatoid arthritis. There are juvenile cases of | | | | and 15 weeks. After the four-week and eight-week |
| rheumatoid arthritis, but the onset usually occurs in | | | | periods, no significant changes occurred in either group. |
| middle age. | | | | However, at the 15-week period, significant changes |
| It is mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining | | | | were found in the group receiving fish oil, while no |
| of the joints. It affects people differently, with some | | | | improvement was seen in the group not receiving fish |
| developing rather mild cases that may only last a few | | | | oil. In addition, the group receiving fish oil also reported |
| months or a couple of years, and others advancing to | | | | vast improvements in the duration of morning stiffness |
| stages where joint damage occurs along with chronic | | | | and physicians reported an overall improvement in the |
| pain, disability and deformities. It can also affect organs | | | | condition of the disease. |
| in the body. Often, the disease will progress through | | | | The October 2006 edition of the Journal of |
| three stages. | | | | Rheumatology reported on a study which found 75 |
| In the first stage, the joint lining swells, causing warmth, | | | | percent of patients using fish oil were able to reduce |
| pain, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint. | | | | the amount of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs they |
| Next is a rapid division of cells and growth of cells | | | | took after a three-year period. Remission of the |
| which cause the lining to thicken. In the third stage, the | | | | disease also occurred in 72 percent of patients taking |
| inflamed cells release enzymes that can break down | | | | the fish oil. |
| the bone and cartilage in the affected area. | | | | Fish oil supplements |
| Most theories on the development of the disease | | | | It appears there is a benefit to rheumatoid arthritis |
| have centered on it being an autoimmune response by | | | | patients of increasing their intake of omega-3 fatty |
| the body, meaning the body basically attacks itself, | | | | acids through fish oils, especially if omega-6 fatty acids |
| though some studies in recent years indicate an | | | | absorbed through vegetable oils can be reduced. |
| outside agent, such as a viral protein, may cause the | | | | Of course, a healthy diet is important for anyone, not |
| reaction. Either way, the long-time prognosis for | | | | just those afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, and eating |
| rheumatoid arthritis is not a particularly good one. | | | | fish could be a part of that healthy diet. However, to |
| The medical and economic costs of all types of | | | | achieve the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids at the |
| arthritis, including rheumatoid, add up to billions of dollars | | | | levels seen in some of the studies above, you'd have |
| every year when including medications, surgeries and | | | | to eat a good amount of fish on a regular basis. |
| wages lost. Daily joint pain associated with the disease | | | | Remember, those Eskimos and Inuits who rarely |
| can also lead many to experience feelings of | | | | experience heart disease or cancer in their populations |
| depression, anxiety and helplessness. | | | | eat mainly marine mammals as part of their diet. Some |
| Currently, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but | | | | people just don't care for the taste of fish as much as |
| early diagnosis can help someone continue to live a | | | | Eskimos do. |
| productive life. Studies show early, aggressive | | | | The highest concentrations of omega-3s can be found |
| treatment can limit joint damage, which reduces loss of | | | | in mackerel, salmon, tuna, bluefish, sturgeon, anchovy, |
| movement, increases the ability to continue to work, | | | | herring, trout, sardines and mullet. However, since these |
| lowers medical costs and may be able to delay the | | | | types of fish are higher on the food chain, often eating |
| need for surgery. | | | | other smaller fish (that's why they have the increased |
| In 80 percent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an | | | | amounts of omega-3s, because they have their own |
| anti-body called "rheumatoid factor" can be found. | | | | as well absorbing it from the fish they eat), they may |
| However, this anti-body can also be found in other | | | | also contain higher doses of some toxic contaminants, |
| conditions, so its presence, as well as abnormal | | | | such as mercury, dioxin and PCBs. |
| readings on tests, does not point exclusively to | | | | Pharmaceutical Grade fish oil supplements, however, |
| rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | allow companies to provide the benefits of the |
| In early stages of the disease, X-rays may not show | | | | omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil while eliminating the |
| any joint damage, or show only minor swelling. In the | | | | possibility of also ingesting toxic contaminants. Also, the |
| second stage, evidence of bone thinning with or | | | | dose is regulated so the patient knows how much |
| without slight bone damage may be seen on an X-ray. | | | | they are taking. Tablets can come in gel form and |
| Slight cartilage damage may be seen, joint mobility | | | | taking one to two tablets per day should provide the |
| may be decreased but no joint deformities are | | | | benefits sought, though it can also be found in liquid |
| present, surrounding muscle may be atrophied and soft | | | | form. |
| tissue around the joint may show signs of abnormality. | | | | Side effects |
| Typically in the third stage, an X-ray will show signs of | | | | There have been no serious side effects reported |
| bone thinning and damage to bone and cartilage | | | | from increased or prolonged ingestion of fish oil or fish |
| around the joint. Also likely present will be some joint | | | | oil supplements. |
| deformity without permanent stiffness of the joint, | | | | There are some mild adverse reactions that have |
| extensive muscle atrophy and abnormalities in the | | | | been reported from time to time. Nausea, diarrhea and |
| tissue surrounding the joint. | | | | flatulence are common reactions, as well as |
| Stage four rheumatoid arthritis characteristics include | | | | experiencing a "fishy" burp. However, the Mayo Clinic |
| joint deformity with permanent fixation of the joint, | | | | has several recommendations to avoid this reaction, |
| extensive muscle atrophy and abnormalities in the soft | | | | including swallowing the pill while frozen, which slows |
| tissue around the joint. X-rays will show evidence of | | | | down its digestion in the stomach. Other tips include |
| cartilage and bone damage, as well as osteoporosis. | | | | taking the pill at the beginning of a meal so the other |
| Those with class I rheumatoid arthritis are able to | | | | food "traps" the fish oil in the stomach and acts as a |
| complete normal activities of their day, while those in | | | | buffer, switching brands or using an odorless tablet. |
| class II will be able to care for themselves and perform | | | | Other potential adverse reactions documented include |
| most work activities, though their activities in such | | | | halitosis, fishy smelling breath, skin and urine and |
| areas as sports and household chores will be limited. | | | | occasional nosebleeds due to the anti-clotting agent of |
| Those in class III will still be able to care for themselves, | | | | omega-3s. Pregnant women are advised to consult |
| but their activities in and out of work will be limited. | | | | first with their physican before starting fish oil |
| Class IV patients will be limited in their abilities to care | | | | supplements as there may be complications with the |
| for themselves, work and engage in other activities. | | | | Vitamin A found in fish oil. An increased level of |
| Research into benefits of fish oil | | | | Vitamin E intake is also recommended because the |
| In the last decade or so, several studies have been | | | | metabolism of fish oil uses large amounts of the |
| conducted to determine the possible benefits on | | | | vitamin, which is a powerful antioxidant. Some |
| rheumatoid arthritis patients of increasing omega-3 | | | | pharmaceutical grade supplements already add in |
| fatty acids into one's diet, usually through increased | | | | Vitamin E with the fish oil to balance out this issue. |
| consumption of oily fishes like salmon, mackerel and | | | | While not a side effect, it should be noted it takes time |
| herring. While we've all been conditioned in the last | | | | for an increase in omega-3s to achieve the goal of |
| several years to cut out fat in our diet, omega-3 fatty | | | | reducing inflammation in the joint. Most of the studies |
| acids have beneficial effects on the body. | | | | mentioned above saw no major results before at least |
| In fact, it was reported in August of this year in the | | | | three months. |
| "Evening Courier" of Halifax that Greenland Inuits have | | | | Why you should choose fish oil supplements |
| low incidences of heart disease despite having a diet | | | | Surgery options for rheumatoid arthritis patients include |
| high in fat. However, much of their high-fat diet comes | | | | joint replacement, tendon reconstruction and a |
| from marine mammals, which are high in omega-3s. | | | | procedure to remove the inflamed lining. There are |
| Scientists who study diet and diseases have found | | | | also medications that can relieve pain or reduce |
| that heart disease, cancer and diabetes are nearly | | | | inflammation. However, these can be very expensive |
| non-existent among Eskimo populations. | | | | and may come with extensive side effects, such as |
| While Eskimo and Inuit diets consist largely of fat from | | | | chronic infections like tuberculosis as well as the others |
| marine animals, many Western diets contain fat from | | | | discussed previously. |
| vegetable oil coming from fast food and store bought | | | | It comes as no surprise then that patients are always |
| baked goods. | | | | looking for a better alternative. Pharmaceutical grade |
| Fish oil has also been found to be the best source of | | | | fish oil supplements may be that alternative. They are |
| two particular fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) | | | | cheaper, have almost no side effects and provide |
| and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have been | | | | most of the same benefits over a period of time. They |
| found to reduce inflammation, reduce the clotting | | | | can be purchased online or at just about any store |
| tendency of blood, improve brain function, improve | | | | that sells supplements. |
| heart health and inhibit abnormal cell growth, which | | | | |