The Role of Omega-3s for Immune Health, Joint Support and Pain

Omega-3 essential fatty acids have potent anti-inflammatory effects. By dampening the cascade of certain inflammatory prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and interleukins - derived from the Omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid – Omega 3s promote the healthy function of the immune system. EPA, rather than DHA, plays a key role in modulating balanced immune responses and will actually produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, countering the inflammatory derivatives of arachidonic acid. (Omax3 is scientifically formulated to contain over 1 gram of EPA per serving, for maximal anti-inflammatory effects).

Studies reveal that in western diets, the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega-3s is about 20-30:1, far in excess of the recommended ratio of 1-2:1. As a result, the body’s immune system is set off-balance, prone to a potentially harmful, sustained inflammatory state that puts the body at risk for illness. Many of the positive health benefits from Omega-3 supplements, especially for joint function and pain relief, are thought to result from the anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3s and their “resetting” effect on the immune system.

Omega-3 fatty acids can help ease morning stiffness and tenderness in joints. Clinical studies of Omega-3 supplements in patients with rheumatoid arthritis have demonstrated reduction of arthritic symptoms, including pain, number of tender joints and morning stiffness. Also, studies conducted in this population have shown that taking Omega-3 supplements led to decreased use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids, with effects peaking over 6-8 months.

A very promising, recent study published in Surgical Neurology investigated Omega-3 supplementation (with EPA and DHA) for non-surgical neck and back pain. The results were striking - a majority reported improvement in their pain symptoms and 4 in 5 patients were satisfied with their improvement.

Whether or not Omega-3s may benefit various inflammatory diseases is still unclear, but is the subject of a number of research trials. In one study of patients with lupus, an autoimmune disease with symptoms such as joint pain and kidney disease, patients showed improvement in their symptoms with high dose EPA. Clinical studies in patients with asthma, Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, cancer, and Alzheimer’s Disease have yielded both positive and negative findings – future research will help illuminate the value of Omega-3s in these and other medical conditions. No doubt, there is much excitement that in the coming years, we will learn considerably more about just how far the health benefits of the Omega-3s extend.

We recommend Omax3, The Ultra-Pure Omega-3 supplement. 

References;

Adam O, Beringer C, et. al. Anti-Inflammatory effect of a low arachidonic acid diet and fish oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 2003; 23:27-36.

Aslan A, Tradafilopoulos G. Fish oil fatty acid supplementation in active ulcerative colitis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Am J Gastoreenterol 1992; 87:432-437.

Babcock, T. Helton WS. Espat J. Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA): An Antiinflammatory [Omega]-3 Fat with Potent Clinical Applications. Nutrition 2000; 16:1116-1118.

Belluzzi A, et al. Effect of an enteric-coated fish oil preparation on relapses in Crohn’s disease. N Engl J Med 1996; 334:1557-60.

Belluzi A, Boshi S, et. al. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Clin Cutr 2000; 71S:339S-342S.

Cleland LG, James M, Proudman S. The role of fish oils in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs 2003; 63:845-853.

De Pablo MA, De Cienfuegos. Modulatory effects of dietary lipid on immune system functions. Immunol Cell Biol 2000; 78:31-39.

De PabloM, Puertollano M, de Cienfuegos G. biological and clinical significance of lipids as modulators of immune system functions. Clin Diag Lab Immunol 2002; 9(5): 945-950.

Deutch B, Jorgensen EB, et. al. Menstural discomfort in Danish women reduced by dietary supplements of omega-3 PUFA and B12. Nutr Res 2000; 20:621-631.

Duffy EM, Meenagh GK, et al. The clinical effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fish oils and/or copper in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Rheumatol 2004; 31: 1551-6.

Espat NJ, Moldawer LL, Copeland EM. Cytokine-mediated alterations in host metabolism prevent nutritional repletion in cachectic cancer patients. J Surg Oncol 1995; 58:77.

Fortin PR, Lew RA, et. al. Validation of a meta-analysis: the effects of fish oil in rheumatoid arthritis. J Clin Epidemiol 1995; 48:1379-1390.

Harel Z, et al. Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of dysmenorrhea in adolescents. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996; 174:1335-1338.

James M, Gibson R, Cleland L. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory mediator production. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 71(1):242S-348S.

James MJ, Cleland LG. Dietary n-3 fatty acids and therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 1997; 27: 85-97.

Kremer JM. N-3 fatty acid supplements in rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 71:349S-351S.

Kremer JM, Lawrence DA, et. al. Effects of high dose fish oil in rheumatoid arthritis after stooping nonsteroidal drugs. Arthritis Rheum 1995; 38:1107-1114.

Kruger MC, Coetzer H, et al. Calcium, gamma-linolenic acid and eicosopentaenoic acid supplementation in senile osteoporosis. Aging 1998; 10: 385-394.

Lau CS, Morley KD, et. al. Effects of fish oil supplementation on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug requirement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis – a double-blind placebo controlled study. Br J Rhematology 1993; 32:982-989.

Maroon JC, Bost JW. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) as an anti-inflammatory: an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for discogenic pain. Surgical Neurology 2006; 65:326-331.

Mayser P, Mrowietz U, et. al. Omega-3 fatty acid-based lipid infusion in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. J Am Acad Dermotol 1998; 38:539-547.

Moldawer LL, Rogy MA, Lowry SF. The role of cytokines in cancer cachexia. J Parenter Nutr 1992; 16:14S.

Oh R. Practical applications of fish oil (O-3 fatty acids) in primary care. J Am Board Fam Pract 2005; 18:28-36.

Pischon T, et al. Habitual Dietary Intake of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in relation to inflammatory markers among US men and women. Circulation 2003; 108:155-160.

Ridker PM. Clinical Application of C-reactive protein for cardiovascular disease and prevention. Circulation 2003; 107:363-369.

Robinson D, Xu L, et al. Suppression of autoimmune disease by dietary n-3 fatty acids. J Lipid Res 1993; 34:1435-1444.

Schnell LS, et al. Cytokine-induced acute inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. J Neuropath Exp Neurol 1999; 58:245-254.

Simopoulos AP. Essential fatty acids in health and chronic disease. Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 70(suppl):560S-9S.

Simopoulos A. Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr 2002; 21(6):495-505.

Song, C. et al. Effects of dietary n-3 or n-6 fatty acids on interleukin 1B-induced anxiety, stress, and inflammatory responses in rats. Journal of Lipid Research 2003; 44:1984-1991.

Soyland E, Funk J, et. al. Effect of dietary supplementation with very long-chain n-3 fatty acids in patients with psoriasis. N Engl J Med 1993; 328:1812-1816.

Terbble T, Wootton S, et al. Prostaglandin E2 production and T-cell function after fish oil consumption: Response to antioxidant cosupplemntation. Am J Clin Nutr 2003; 78(3): 376-382.

Volker D, et al. Efficacy of fish oil concentrate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 2000; 27:2343-2346.

Walton AJ, Snaith ML, Lockniskar M. Dietary fish oil and the severity of symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Rhem Dis 1991; 50:463-466.