Can Omega-3 help Reduce Arthritis?

Why Omega-3 helps Reduce Arthritis Symptoms?

The main trait of arthritis is the severe inflammation of the joints that causes pain and swelling. Omega-3 can help alleviate this symptom because it possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3 can also reduce joint stiffness, tenderness, swelling, and discomfort. Consuming omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids help increase omega-3’s anti-inflammatory activity.

In addition, omega-3 improves blood circulation throughout the body, which reduces the level of inflammation and decreases joint pain. This is because blood flow can provide the damaged joints with proper nutrients and speed up the healing process.

According to several research studies, omega-3 can be an effective treatment option for arthritis because it slows down the disease’s progression. Omega-3 can also improve a patient’s overall health, which may help treat arthritis in the long run.

One study, “Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta-analysis,” showed that omega-3 fats reduced inflammation. When patients consumed more than 2.7 g of omega-3 per day for three months or more, their use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) decreased.

NSAIDs are prescription drugs designed to decrease the levels of pain and inflammation. The patients’ decreased reliance on NSAIDs indicates that omega-3 effectively reduced the level of joint inflammation in their bodies.

Like omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation and help treat arthritis. However, research suggests that omega-6 may be pro-inflammatory if people exceed the daily required amount.

The Western diet already contains 10-15 times more omega-6 than omega-3. As a result, people need to make sure that they avoid excess food sources that contain omega-6 to prevent inflammation.

One study, “The place of omega-3 and omega-6 acids in supplementary treatment of inflammatory joint diseases,” shows that using a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 to treat arthritis increased omega-3’s anti-inflammatory activity. This suggests that omega-6 fatty acids may help in the treatment of joint pain.

Recently, research shows that omega-9 fatty acids are also beneficial for arthritis and can lower inflammation. The study, “Supplementation of fish oil and olive oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis” found that rheumatoid arthritis patients who took omega-3 supplements in addition to olive oil (which contains omega-9) showed “a more precocious and accentuated improvement” than other patients. This suggests that omega-9 fats can help treat arthritis.

How Omega Fatty Acids work for Arthritis

Omega-3:

Omega-3 is a healthy polyunsaturated fat. It consists of three types of fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

These fatty acids reduce inflammation because they lower the levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive-proteins (CRP) and interleukin-6 that are found in the blood.

DHA and EPA compete for the same signaling pathway the inflammatory markers take to alert the immune system to danger. If omega-3 fatty acids take over this pathway, the inflammatory markers decrease, reducing inflammatory activity.

Omega-6:

Omega-6 is a healthy polyunsaturated fat. There are four main types of omega-6 fatty acids including linolenic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (ARA), gamma linoleic acid (GLA), and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Research into omega-6 fatty acids and arthritis found that GLA increased the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3.

Omega-9:

Omega-9 is another polyunsaturated fat. There are two main types of omega-9 fatty acids, including oleic acid and erucic acid. Oleic acid, which is found in olive oil, has anti-inflammatory properties. When combined with omega-3, it can increase the anti-inflammatory capacity of omega-3 fatty acids.

However, researchers still do not fully understand how omega-9 or omega-6 work to reduce inflammation in the body. 

Omega Fatty Acids dose for Arthritis: How much to Take

Some rheumatologists might prescribe an omega-3-6-9 supplement at a ratio of 2:1:1. However, this depends on your diet. If your diet is rich in omega-6 and omega-9, you do not need to take them as supplements.

Always consult a doctor or healthcare expert to make sure you are taking a balanced ratio of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9.

Some studies show that arthritis patients should take a dose of “2.7 g or more” of omega-3 per day. They also indicate that “higher doses are also safe and effective. A daily intake of 2.7 g EPA plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is provided by a daily dose of nine or more standard fish oil capsules, which typically contain 30% omega-3.”

As a general guideline, the Food and Nutrition Board of the U.S. Institute of Medicine recommends that people take the following amounts of omega fatty acids: men should consume 1.6 grams of omega-3 while women should consume 1.1 grams of omega-3 per day if they are above the age of 18.

However, these recommendations are concerned with overall health. They may have no impact on arthritis because arthritis patients need much higher doses to experience the benefits of omega fatty acids.

Omega Fatty Acids for Arthritis: Precautions

Given that omega-6 and omega-6 are quite abundant in the Western diet, only omega-3 supplements would be required. If you want to take omega-3 supplements to treat arthritis, you should consider the following precautions:

1- People with certain medical conditions

People with the following medical conditions should take precautions and consult a doctor before they begin taking omega supplements.

- Diabetes: consuming excessive omega-3 fats may lower blood sugar levels. People who have diabetes should consult a doctor to determine the appropriate dose for their condition.

- A seizure disorder: consuming excessive omega-6 fats such as GLA may cause seizures in people who have a seizure disorder.

- Allergies: people who have allergies should take precautions before taking omega fatty acid supplements.

Many omega supplements come from fish sources, and people who are allergic to fish cannot take these supplements. Some supplements may also contain peanut and soy, which are also common allergens. 

2- Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women

Consuming excessive omega-6 fats may cause pregnant women to have pregnancy complications such as early labor and contribute to the poor development of the fetus.

Pregnant women should also avoid omega-3 because it affects their blood clotting abilities and increases the risk of bleeding. Also, some omega-3 supplements like cod liver oil contain vitamin A, which might be harmful to the fetus.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid omega-3 fish oil supplements that come from fish that contain high amounts of mercury, such as mackerel, swordfish, or tilefish, because mercury may harm the baby.

3- Interaction with other Medications

Omega fats may interact with different medications and exacerbate certain conditions. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider before taking omega fatty acids supplements if you take the following medication:

- Anticoagulant medication: Omega fats can interfere with blood-thinning medication. Consuming excessive amounts of omega fats can cause blood thinning or excessive bleeding.

- Blood pressure medication: consuming excessive amounts of omega fats may lower blood pressure and interfere with blood pressure medication.

4- Vitamin A Toxicity

If you are taking omega-3 supplements, always check the amount of vitamin A. Some omega-3 supplements may contain very high amounts of vitamin A, which may cause vitamin A toxicity.

People should also avoid cod liver oil because it contains a high amount of vitamin A. They can substitute it with other omega-3 supplements that aren’t high in vitamin A like fish or krill oil.

Omega-3 fish oil for Arthritis: Side Effects

Omega-3 side effects

If you take omega-3 for arthritis, you may experience unwanted side effects such as an unpleasant taste in the mouth, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, low blood pressure, high blood sugar, diarrhea, headaches, and smelly sweat.

Omega-6 side effects

If you take omega-6, you may experience headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Omega-6 might also lower your blood pressure.

Omega-9 side effects

There are no known side effects to consuming omega-9 fats.

Side effects of the Omega-3-6-9 supplement

If you take an Omega-3-6-9 supplement, you may experience the following side effects: burping, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and heartburn, loss of taste, skin rash, hives, itching, prolonged bleeding from cuts, and nosebleeds.

Consult your doctor if any of these side effects appear.