Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common, debilitating condition, that has a different etiology or cause than the more common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease in which the immune system causes inflammation and attacks the joints. Systemic means that it can causes inflammation organs throughout the body–not only inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. In fact, rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 1% of the population–with women being affected 3x more commonly than men. Further, rheumatoid arthritis can be a common cause of disability.
For the many suffers of RA, NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used to treat the pain associated with it. NSAIDs have potentially serious side effects including, but not limited to gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. The results of a recent study published in the journal, Rheumatology, suggests that cod liver oil containing omega 3-fatty acids, may help people who suffer from RA to reduce their consumption of NSAIDS in the management of their RA pain (Galaraga et al, 2008).
Additionally, a recent meta-analysis assessing the pain relieving effects of omega-3 PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) comprised of 17 randomized controlled trials involving in patients with rheumatoid arthritis concluded the following:
“The results suggest that omega-3 PUFAs are an attractive adjunctive treatment for joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and dysmenorrhea.”
Specifically, omega-3 fatty acid consumption lowered:
- patient assessed pain
- physician assessed pain
- duration of morning stiffness
- number of painful and/or tender joints
- Ritchie articular index
- nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumption
References:
Galarraga B, Ho M, Youssef HM, Hill A, McMahon H, Hall C, Ogston S, Nuki G, Belch JJ. Cod liver oil (n-3 fatty acids) as an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug sparing agent in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2008 May;47(5):665-9. Epub 2008 Mar 24
Goldberg RJ, Katz J. A meta-analysis of the analgesic effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for inflammatory joint pain. Pain. 2007 May;129(1-2):210-23. Epub 2007 Mar 1.
4 Comments
October 27, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Great article, really enjoyed it and learned somthing new will be applying it to my regime from now on. aka 23inchguns
October 27, 2008 at 7:29 pm
RA is definitely a debilitating disease. I’ve seen many on close up suffer from it when I used to work for a group of doctors in town. I hope that doctors now will be more willing to look into precribing these NSAIDs in conjuction with the standard treatments in placed.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us.
Thanks also for dropping me an EC.
Tasha
October 29, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Good information on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Will be taking a closer look into omega-3. Thanks for this information!
October 30, 2008 at 12:31 am
Thank you Max, tashabud, and Laurie for your comments. Tashabud, to clarify Doctor’s already commonly prescribe NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication for RA. Omega-3 fatty acids seem to be an additional important treatment option for people who suffer from RA to discuss with their physicians.