| Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that's characterised | | | | 1. a reduction in the number of tender joints |
| by inflammation of the joints as well as other organs in | | | | 2. a reduction in length of time of morning stiffness |
| the body. | | | | 3. a reduction in disease activity reported |
| And NSAIDs or anti inflammatory drugs are often | | | | 4. a decrease in the levels of IL-1 beta in the serum, |
| used to relieve symptoms such as stiffness, pain and | | | | which is a marker of inflammation |
| swelling. | | | | However, with the corn oil patients there was no |
| However, as with all medications there are side | | | | difference. |
| effects that can occur. And sometimes they are not | | | | Also, when the NSAID was ceased, the improvement |
| fully effective. | | | | in the number of painful joints was still there after 2 |
| That's where natural remedies can help treat | | | | months. And this was seen in the omega 3 group and |
| inflammatory conditions, as an adjunct or in addition to | | | | not the placebo. |
| traditional medicine. | | | | In some patients, they were able to stop their NSAID |
| Here's a study of whether high dose omega 3 fatty | | | | without an exacerbation of their symptoms. |
| acids in the form of fish oil helps rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | In the group taking fish oils in summary, there was |
| The study looked at both arthritis symptoms as well | | | | improvements in both symptoms as well as blood |
| as serum or blood markers of inflammation. | | | | markers. |
| The study had just over sixty patients, and was a | | | | More studies and larger studies would be good to help |
| double blind, placebo controlled study . | | | | further characterise the benefit that fish oil may have |
| One set of patient were given fish oil while the placebo | | | | on they symptoms of arthritis |
| group had corn oil. Both groups were on their NSAID. | | | | This study seems to be promising and perhaps fish oil |
| After 18 weeks of treatment, the NSAID drug was | | | | will turn out to be a helpful addition to treatment of |
| then substituted with a placebo. | | | | arthritis as well as it's other health benefits. |
| In the patients taking fish oil, there ware; | | | | |