Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis, omega-3 fatty acids, and joint pain:

Taking 2.6 mg of omega-3 fatty acids daily was associated with a significant improvement in pain assessment in patients suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Participants (n=90) received either 2.6 gm of omega-3, or 1.3 gm of omega-3 + 3 gm of olive oil, or 6 gm of olive oil. Improvement in patient and doctor evaluation of pain was only significant with 2.6 gm of omega-3. Furthermore, more people were able to reduce their use of anti-rheumatic medication while taking 2.6 omega-3. (4)

Rheumatoid arthritis, omega-3 fatty acids, joint swelling, and joint pain:

A study of patients (n=23) with moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, which affects the joints, showed that IV omega-3 therapy performed on these patients significantly improved associated symptoms such as joint tenderness and swelling. For the first 2 weeks, patients received daily IV administration of either treatment (0.2 g of fish oil emulsion/kg) or placebo (0.9% saline). This was followed by 20 weeks of oral administration (capsules) of 0.05 g of fish oil/kg (treatment) or paraffin wax (placebo). At the end of the study, compared to the placebo group, those on omega-3 therapy had significantly lower swollen and tender joints. (5)