Osteoarthritis: Do Omega-3s Help Fight It?

Osteoarthritis: help from Omega-3s

Omega-3s Omega 3 may slow the progression of the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis. Laboratory mice given Omega-3 supplements had healthier joints compared to those fed diets rich in saturated fats and Omega-6. More than body weight gain, the worsening of the disease depends on diet and the types of fats consumed.

This is reported in a recent study published in Annals Of Rheumatic Disease, conducted by researchers at Duke University in Durham, USA.

A degenerative joint disease

Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that generally affects people over 45 years of age and is characterized by the degeneration of cartilage in the joints. Obesity is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis, although the exact link between this condition and the disease is not fully understood. Scientists believe weight gain contributes to joint wear, although arthritis can also affect hands and other areas not impacted by body weight.

The type of fatty acids influences disease progression

At the start of the study, researchers focused on factors that may promote the disease, finding that deficiency of the appetite hormone leptin may also favor its onset. During experiments, 4-week-old mice were fed different diets: one low in fat, one high in saturated fats, one high in Omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, and a fourth diet high in Omega-6 but supplemented with Omega-3s.

After 12 weeks, researchers induced meniscal joint trauma in the animals. Arthritis is caused by mechanical injuries in 10-15% of cases. Each animal was monitored at 6, 14, and 24 weeks, examining wound healing and bone changes to uncover the influence of fatty acids and body weight on osteoarthritis.

Results showed disease onset was significantly associated with diet but not body weight. Small amounts of Omega-3 were sufficient to reduce joint damage, while animals fed high levels of saturated fats or Omega-6 showed significant worsening of osteoarthritis.

Researchers also examined the animals’ ability to heal wounds. Mice given Omega-3s healed ear injuries more rapidly than those not receiving supplements.

Omega-3: a future therapy?

The study shows that although Omega-3s cannot reverse joint damage typical of osteoarthritis, they appear to slow its progression by eliminating harmful effects of obesity. More than body weight, the content and type of fatty acids consumed regulate wound healing and arthritis severity. This finding supports the need for further research into the use of Omega-3 supplements as a potential therapeutic approach.

Source: Chia-Lung Wu, Deeptee Jain, Jenna N McNeill, Dianne Little, John A Anderson, Janet L Huebner, Virginia B Kraus, Ramona M Rodriguiz, William C Wetsel, Farshid Guilak. "Dietary fatty acid content regulates wound repair and the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis following joint injury" Ann Rheum Dis annrheumdis-2014-205601 Published Online First: 10 July 2014