Fatty Acid Supplements May Help RA Sufferers

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Research News

Vol.2, #1: February, 2000

© 2000 Mediconsult, Inc.

Complete Index Other Reviews in This Issue

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Fatty Acid Supplements May Help RA Sufferers

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Paper: n-3 Fatty acid supplements in rheumatoid arthritis

Authors: Kremer, JM

Ref: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000;71(suppl):349S-351S.

Type: Review

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Summary: Several studies have shown that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients

who take supplements of n-3 fatty acids have experienced a reduction in the

number of tender joints on physical examination as well as decreased morning

stiffness. Clinical benefit was demonstrated when 3-6 g of the n-3 fatty acid

supplements (particularly eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids found in

fish oil) were taken each day for a minimum of 12 weeks along with the patients'

regular anti-inflammatory medications. These doses of fatty acids have been

shown to reduce the release of leukotriene B from stimulated neutrophils and of

interleukin 1 from monocytes - two events that may contribute to the

inflammatory process in RA. Moreover, fatty acid supplements appear to be very

well tolerated.

Selected RA patients may even be able to lower or discontinue taking their

background doses of anti-inflammatory medications, including NSAIDs and

disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Studies of this issue, however, have used

different methods, signaling the need for confirmatory and definitive

investigations.

" It is recommended that patients consume dietary supplements containing 3-6 g

n-3 fatty acids daily for [at least] 12 weeks. The dietary supplement should not

replace the standard therapeutic medical regimen, but be added to it, " concluded

the author. " After taking n-3 fatty acid dietary supplements for 3-4 months,

patients may try reducing their NSAID dose under the supervision of a

physician. "

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