Intravenous Omega 3? Excellent for counteracting rheumatoid arthritis

Intravenous administration of Omega-3 can counteract the swelling and joint pain typical of rheumatoid arthritis. The benefits obtained this way can be prolonged if therapy is continued by having patients take the same fatty acids orally. This was discovered by a group of researchers led by Babak Bahadori at the State Hospital Muerzzuschlag (Muerzzuschlag, Austria), in a study whose results were published in JPEN - Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: Omega-3 for prevention and treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints. Its incidence decreases with regular fish consumption, one of the main sources of Omega-3. However, the effectiveness of these fatty acids is not limited to disease prevention. The administration of these nutrients also reduces its symptoms in a dose-dependent manner. According to some studies, this effect is based on the ability of Omega-3 to control inflammatory reactions. Moreover, the intake of these fatty acids reduces the need to take anti-inflammatory drugs to combat joint pain.

Intravenous administration of Omega-3 for symptom treatment

Bahadori and colleagues tested the efficacy and safety of intravenous administration of Omega-3 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. The study involved 23 patients with moderate to severe forms of the disease. Each individual was randomly selected to receive an emulsion of fish oil rich in Omega-3 or, as a placebo, a saline solution. In both cases, administration involved intravenous infusion for 14 consecutive days. In the following 20 weeks, patients took capsules containing fish oil or, again as a placebo, paraffin wax. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by measuring the number of swollen and painful joints.

Efficacy of intravenous administration

At the beginning of treatment, the number of swollen and painful joints was similar in all patients. After one week of infusion, those who received Omega-3 had a significantly lower number of swollen joints compared to those who received the placebo. After the second week of treatment, researchers observed that the difference between the two groups remained significant. Differences in the count of painful joints were less striking. Both swelling and pain were significantly lower even in patients who, after the 14 days of infusion, continued to take Omega-3 orally instead of placebo capsules.

An effective and safe approach

Based on the collected data, the study authors concluded that intravenous administration of Omega-3 is effective in reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time, Bahadori and colleagues demonstrated that this approach is well tolerated by patients. Furthermore, continuing treatment with oral administration of fatty acids prolongs the beneficial effects.