Osteoarthritis: Omega-3 to reduce symptoms by 50%
Osteoarthritis: half the symptoms thanks to Omega 3 supplements
A diet rich in fish or flaxseed oil, sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, can significantly reduce osteoarthritis symptoms. This was demonstrated by a study published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, where researchers from the University of Bristol (UK) found that a diet high in these fatty acids reduces disease symptoms by 50%. According to the results, dietary Omega-3s can slow the progression of osteoarthritis and, if the disease has not yet appeared, prevent it. John Tarlton, research coordinator, explained that the data collected suggest Omega-3s may interfere with the biochemical mechanisms underlying osteoarthritis. The authors hypothesize that these fatty acids could be useful both for prevention and for treating an ongoing condition.
Cartilage, inflammation, and Omega-3
Among the main causes of osteoarthritis is the loss of cartilage covering the ends of bones. This leads to thinning of the underlying bone tissue, causing tenderness and joint pain. Currently, there is no cure to slow disease progression. All that can be done is pain relief and, eventually, joint replacement. Furthermore, the typical Western diet, being poor in important anti-inflammatory nutrients such as Omega-3s, promotes the onset of several inflammatory diseases like osteoarthritis. It has also been suggested that these fatty acids increase bone density, another important factor for this disease. Tarlton and colleagues confirmed the role of Omega-3s, discovering that enriching the diet with these fatty acids reduces disease symptoms.
Omega-3 reduce disease symptoms
To reach this conclusion, the researchers studied the effect of a diet rich in Omega-3 in guinea pigs. These animals, explained Tarlton, are the most appropriate model for studying natural and spontaneous osteoarthritis. Therefore, the results support the hypothesis that Omega-3s are useful for treating the same disease in humans. The effectiveness of Omega-3s was evaluated in guinea pigs naturally prone to osteoarthritis and in animals resistant to the disease. Both groups received either a standard or Omega-3-rich diet for periods ranging from 10 to 30 weeks. It was observed that in guinea pigs prone to osteoarthritis fed Omega-3s, many disease-associated parameters tended toward values typical of healthy animals. These parameters include collagen degradation within cartilage and the loss of molecules responsible for cushioning impacts.
Omega-3, the answer to an urgent need
The authors emphasized that the search for preventive treatments is of primary importance: by 2020, this disease could become the fourth most common cause of disability. Now, explains Tarlton, these results need to be confirmed in the treatment of human osteoarthritis.
Source
1. Knott L, Avery NC, Hollander AP, Tarlton JF, “Regulation of osteoarthritis by omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids in a naturally occurring model of disease”, Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2011 Sep;19(9):1150-7. Epub 2011 Jul 1
