Posted on June 10, 2008 in Latest News
Arthritis can be a monotonous and depressing condition to live with, but that does not mean that the disease is altogether incurable. There are a number of exercise tips, special diets and specific medications that help people with arthritis cope much better with the pain and lead a much better life. Fish oil is one such product that has helped millions round the globe suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Fish oil and RA
A team of researchers at Royal Adelaide Hospital discovered that fish oil may act as a good supplement for people suffering from arthritic conditions. Although they were studying supplement for its effectiveness on cardiovascular diseases, they observed that patients were having not only fewer arthritis flare ups, but also were also being protected from heart disease. In addition, they were not experiencing the same side effects as their traditional medications and were able to replace many of their medications entirely.
The researches recruited 31 early RA patients all taking drug treatment for the condition, of whom 18 also chose to take fish oil. Fish oil was linked also to welcome changes in blood lipids, and a higher rate of remission after the 3 years – 72 per cent compared to 31 per cent in the non-fish oil group. The authors conclude that fish oil reduces cardiovascular risk in RA patients, and that this takes places via several biological pathways. They suggest that fish oil could potentially replace drug treatment for many RA patients.
In this study, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use was reduced by 75 per cent in the fish oil group between the start and finish of the study, compared with 37 per cent in the non-fish oil group. Fish oil is a cheaper, safer treatment option and could also serve as a preventative measure against RA, the authors conclude.
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June 13th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Have the mercury levels been established on the fish oil?
September 24th, 2008 at 1:51 am
What is the recommended dosage of fish oil to help for rheumatoid arthritis?