Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Osteroarthritis

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Denise
Posts: 1205
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:02 am

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Osteroarthritis

Post by Denise » Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:25 pm

From the Science Daily, this is really promising news -

New research has shown for the first time that omega-3 in fish oil could "substantially and significantly" reduce the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.


According to the University of Bristol study, funded by Arthritis Research UK and published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, omega-3-rich diets fed to guinea pigs, which naturally develop osteoarthritis, reduced disease by 50 per cent compared to a standard diet.

The research is a major step forward in showing that omega-3 fatty acids, either sourced from fish oil or flax oil, may help to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis, or even prevent it occurring, confirming anecdotal reports and "old wives' tales" about the benefits of fish oil for joint health.

Lead researcher Dr John Tarlton, from the Matrix Biology Research group at the University of Bristol's School of Veterinary Sciences, said classic early signs of the condition, such as the degradation of collagen in cartilage and the loss of molecules that give it shock-absorbing properties, were both reduced with omega-3.

"Furthermore, there was strong evidence that omega-3 influences the biochemistry of the disease, and therefore not only helps prevent disease, but also slows its progression, potentially controlling established osteoarthritis," he said.

Dr Tarlton added: "The only way of being certain that the effects of omega-3 are as applicable to humans as demonstrated in guinea pigs is to apply omega-3 to humans. However, osteoarthritis in guinea pigs is perhaps the most appropriate model for spontaneous, naturally occurring osteoarthritis, and all of the evidence supports the use of omega-3 in human disease."

Medical research director of Arthritis Research UK, Professor Alan Silman, said: "The possibility that omega-3 fatty acids could prevent osteoarthritis from developing has been a tantalising one. Some limited, previous research in dogs has suggested that we were a long way away from understanding the potential use in humans. However, this current research in guinea pigs is exciting as it brings us closer to understanding how omega-3 might fundamentally interfere with the osteoarthritis process, and that it could potentially be taken as a treatment."

On the back of the results of his study, Dr Tarlton said that following government guidelines on dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids could be effective in reducing the burden of osteoarthritis. Fish oil is far more effective than the flax oil based supplement, but for vegetarians flax oil remains a viable alternative.

"Most diets in the developed world are lacking in omega-3, with modern diets having up to 30 times too much omega-6 and too little omega-3. Taking omega-3 will help redress this imbalance and may positively contribute to a range of other health problems such as heart disease and colitis."

Further studies are needed to determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on established disease in guinea pigs, and to confirm the effects in human osteoarthritis, said Dr Tarlton.

Osteoarthritis affects around eight million people in the UK, and is caused when the cartilage at the ends of bones wears away and the underlying bone thickens, leading to stiff, painful joints. Currently, there is no effective treatment to slow down disease progression, and treatment is limited to pain relief and ultimately joint replacement.

MichPom
Posts: 32
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:56 am

Re: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Osteroarthritis

Post by MichPom » Tue Oct 18, 2011 2:27 pm

A very good article...thanks!!!

KittenCal
Posts: 3848
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 9:58 am

Re: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Osteroarthritis

Post by KittenCal » Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:17 pm

great! thank you

Vinho_Verde
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 3:05 pm

Re: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Osteroarthritis

Post by Vinho_Verde » Sat Oct 29, 2011 3:24 pm

good to know.

i eat lots of fatty fish. hope it's good for something in the long run. the benefits far outweigh the potential risks (of heavy metals etc).

HotPepperRosemary
Posts: 992
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:24 am

Re: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Osteroarthritis

Post by HotPepperRosemary » Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:29 pm

Excellent article! Thank you! I take Fish Oil capsules daily. For me it is for cholesterol lowering properties.
I am glad to know that it is for much more than that.
Anyone considering Krill?

zeeshan
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2015 7:42 am

Re: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Osteroarthritis

Post by zeeshan » Sat Jan 03, 2015 7:59 am

Osteoarthritis affects around eight million people in the UK, and is caused when the cartilage at the ends of bones wears away and the underlying bone thickens, leading to stiff, painful joints. Currently, there is no effective treatment to slow down disease progression, and treatment is limited to pain relief and ultimately joint replacement.



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