omega-3 fish oil in osteoarthritis prevention -2

8/6/2019 Omega-3 Fish Oil in Osteoarthritis Prevention -2

1/3

STAY HEALTHY INFO

We Promote Four Pillars of Health

Good Nutrition,Regular Exercise,Adequate Rest,Positive Attitude([email protected])

Osteoarthritis

In inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, the presence of unusual fatty acids, Omega or n-

3 fatty acids in the cartilage cells reduces the activity of specific enzymes that are responsiblefor cartilage damage.-Arthritis Research Campaign

-->Osteoarthritis has a well-established inflammatory component

The Arthritis Foundation describes several stages of osteoarthritis, including an inflammatory stage:

1. Cartilage loses elasticity and is more easily damaged by injury or use.

2. Wear of cartilage causes changes to underlying bone.

3. Bits of bone or cartilage float loosely in the joint space.

4. The joint lining, or the synovium, becomes inflamed due to cartilage breakdown causing cytokines (inflammationproteins) and enzymes that damage cartilage further.

This inflammation of the joint lining is prevalent in osteoarthritis patients.

A recent study published in the highly regarded medical journal, Arthritis & Rheumatism, found that synovial tissue samples from 97

(93%) of 104 patients with osteoarthritis showed mild, moderate, or severe inflammation. 31% showed severe

inflammation.1

Omega-3 fatty acids have been well-known for a long time for their anti-inflammatory properties. The Eskimos of Greenland and

the Japanese have a high dietary intake of Omega-3 from seafood and a low incidence of chronic inflammation, even when

compared to their Westernized ethnic counterparts.2

New research is driving forward our understanding by which Omega-3s work their anti-inflammatory powers. A 2005 study by

researchers at Brigham and Womens Hospital and Harvard Medical School state:

Clinical assessment of dietary supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids indicate their beneficial impact in certain

human diseases, particularly those in which inflammation is suspected as a key component in pathogenesis.

The Harvard team identified a new class of fats in humans, derived from a fatty acid found in fish oil, which they showed can control

inflammation.3

Lead Harvard researcher Dr. Charles Serhan was stated after the study, Since we obtained these results I started

to encourage my own children to eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Many other respected academic and health institutions have also concluded from the scientific literature that Omega-3 is a natural

and effective anti-inflammatory.

Arthritis Research Campaign, for example, states:

A number of studies have suggested that oily fish can help people with inflammatory arthritis and this new [Harvard and Brigham

and Womens Hospital] study appear to confirm this. Our charity has also funded a small preliminary study which shows that oily

fish or fish oil capsules can also play a part in reducing the pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis a degenerative type of


2/3

STAY HEALTHY INFO



arthritis.

One of the key pathological features common to degenerative joint diseases is the loss of cartilage proteoglycan (aggrecan) which

precedes subsequent cartilage erosion.

Scientists at Cardiff University have recently discovered that incorporation of n-3 (Omega-3) fatty acids into articular cartilage

chondrocyte membranes results in a dose-dependent reductionin the expression and activity of (i) proteoglycan degrading

enzymes (aggrecanases) and (ii) inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL-1b) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a) and cyclooxygenase

(COX-2).4

As a result of this discovery, the researchers conclude:

n-3 fatty acid supplementation can specifically affect molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression of catabolic factors

involved in articular cartilage degradation and thus further advocate a beneficial role for dietary fish oils in alleviation of

several of the physiological parameters that cause and propagate arthritic disease.

The very serious side effects of NSAIDs (including ibuprofen, naprosene, Celebrex) are well-known in the scientific community.

The respected Mayo Clinic states on their Web site:

NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers and related conditionsThe FDA is now requiring expanded information about the risk of

gastrointenstinal bleeding on the labelsLarge dosages of NSAIDs can also lead to kidney problems and fluid retention, which can

worsen congestive heart failure.

Omega-3 is a natural COX inhibitor and has a much safer profile than NSAIDs. Leading scientific researchers explain:

Fish oils contain the natural COX inhibitor EPA, which inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2 activity. The different effects of EPA and

NSAIDs on synthesis of downstream products are consistent with the known cardioprotective effect of fish oil and increased

cardiovascular risk associated with NSAIDs (especially those that are COX-2 selective).

The same researchers conclude from the clinical literature that Omega-3 can reduce NSAID use:

Fish oils have been shown to reduce discretionary NSAID use for analgesia by about 50%.5

One study published in the highly regarded journal Arthritis & Rheumatismfound that some Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients

could not only reduce NSAID use but also eliminate it:

We believe that our data support the previous observations that selected individuals with RA may discontinue NSAID therapy

while consuming Omega 3 supplements.6

We invite you to read more on Omega-3 and its potential as a safer alternative to NSAIDs.


3/3

STAY HEALTHY INFO



References:

1. Haywood L, McWilliams DF, Pearson CI, Gill SE, Ganesan A, Wilson D, et al: Inflammation and angiogenesis in

osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2003; 48:2173-2177. Abstract2. Simopoluous, AP:Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J. Am Coll Nutr 2002 Dec;21(6):495-

505 Abstract

3. Arita M, Bianchini F, Aliberti J, Sher A, Chiang N, Hong S, et al: Stereochemical assignment, antiinflammatory properties,

and receptor for the omega-3 lipid mediator resolvin E1. J Exp Med2005 Mar 7; 201(5):713-722. Abstract

4. Curtis CL, Hughes CE, Flannery CR, Little CB, Harwood JL, Caterson B: n-3 fatty acids specifically modulate catabolic

factors involved in articular cartilage degradation. J Biol Chem2000 Jan 14: 275(2):721-4, Abstract

5. Cleland L, James M, Proudman S : Fish oil : what the prescriber needs to know. Arthritis Res Ther2005 Dec 21;

8(1):202. Full Article

6. Kremer JM, Lawrence DA, Petrillo GF, Litts LL, Mullaly PM, Rynes RI, et al: Effects of high-dose fish oil on rheumatoid

arthritis after stopping nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Arthritis Rheum1995 Aug;38(8):1107-14. Abstract

omega-3 fish oil in osteoarthritis prevention -2

Documents