Copyright 2014

Using Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids

to Relieve Symptoms of Arthritis

by
KrillFishHealing.com
Copyright 2014


Using Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids to Relieve Symptoms of Arthritis
Arthri tis is the name given to a family of diseases that make up varying forms of joint disorders. The word arthri tis is
derived from the Greek word arthro- meaning joint and -itis meaning inflammation. More than one hundred different
forms of arthri tis have been identified. Some of the most common forms, affecting more than twenty million people to the
point of limiting daily functions, include osteoarthri tis, and rheumatoid arthri tis.
The major symptom of people suffering from arthri tis is pain in the joints. It might be limited to the joints affected and is
usually constant. Normally the immune system initiates provocative response against infection causing instruments like
bacteria, yeasts or viruses. However in people suffering from rheumatoid arthri tis, the immune system mistakenly
assaults the bodys own tissues, namely the joints, like they are the harmful foreign invaders. This attack causes the
joints to become swollen, making them stiff and causi ng pain and tenderness. Osteoarthri tis is the result of deterioration
of the cartilage providing cushion in the joints. Age or obesity causes the cartilage to wear out, leading to the pain and
stiffness.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, also called polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are indispensable for human health,
but they have to be obtained from diet as the body cannot make them. Krill oil is one rich source of these vital
compounds; other sources include cold water fish like tuna, sardines herring and salmon. It is important to consume the
proper ratio of these two substances because omega-3 fatty acids help to lower inflammation while omega-6 fatty acids
tend to enhance it. The typical American diet contains 14 to 25 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3s.
Alternatively the Mediterranean diet maintains a healthier balance between omega-3 and 6. Krill oil contains the right
ratios of these essential acids naturally.
Recent studies show omega-3 fatty acids to hold promise inalleviating pain due to osteoarthri tis. In initial studies people
given supplements of omega-3 fatty acid for six months reported less pain compared to people who did not get the
supplement. Additionally, in the laboratory researchers found that when omega-3 fatty acid was added to cartilage cells,
it lowered their inclination to cause inflammation which is typical with osteoarthritis
1, 2
. In this regard omega-3 fatty acids
may protect against degeneration of joints that is usually seen in osteoarthritis.
Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthri tis also registered significant improvement in symptoms in a study carried out in
Brazil recently. The participants in the study lasting three months were administered with 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids
and they reported less fatigue, and pain, easier mobility and greater grip strength
1
. A number of other studies also
indicate that at least three grams of omega-3 fatty acids have to be taken daily over a period of three months to get the
full benefits
3, 4, 5
. According to many studies the regular intake of omega-3 fats from natural sources like krill oil, people
suffering from rheumatoid arthri tis can cut back on the use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve
pain.
Omega-3s help to manage the symptoms of arthri tis by minimizing the production of compounds that lead to
inflammation and at the same time produce bio-chemicals that control inflammation. According to new research EPA
and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid),the two components of omega-3 fatty acids found in krill
oil, lead to the production of resolvins and protectins. These compounds instigate the resolution or decrease in
inflammation. The protectins obtained from DHA provide greater protection against excessive inflammation
6
.
Additionally, the ingestion of omega-3s is linked with reducing the levels of two inflammation causing cytokines in people
with rheumatoid arthri tis
7
.
Copyright 2014

The health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are well documented not only for providing relief from pain due to arthri tis but
for numerous other ailments. Krill oil is favoured because it is not contaminated by toxins like a lot of the fish sources.
Additionally it is available in abundant supplies.

References
1
Curtis CL, Rees SG, Little CB, et al. Pathological indicators of degradation and inflammation in human
osteoarthritic cartilage are abrogated by exposure to n-3 fatty acids. Arthritis Rheum. 2002 Jun;466):1544-
53.
2
Curtis CL, Rees SG, Cramp J, et al. Effects of n-3 fatty acids on cartilage metabolism.ProcNutr Soc. 2002
Aug;61(3):381-9.
3
Hagfors L, Nilsson I, Skoldstam L, Johansson G. Fat intake and composition of fatty acids in serum
phospholipids in a randomized, controlled, Mediterranean dietary intervention study on patients with
rheumatoid arthritis.NutrMetab (Lond). 2005 Oct 10;2:26.
4
Volker D, Fitzgerald P, Major G, Gang M. Efficacy of fish oil concentrate in the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis.J Rheumatol. 2000 Oct;27(10):2343-6.
5
James MJ, Cleland LG. Dietary n-3 fatty acids and therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.Semin Arthritis Rheum.
1997 Oct;27(2):85-97.
6
Serhan CN, Gotlinger K, Hong S, et al. Anti- inflammatory actions of neuroprotectin D1/protectin D1 and
its natural stereoisomers: assignments of dihydroxy-containing docosatrienes. J Immunol. 2006 Feb
1;176(3):1848-59.
7
James MJ, Gibson RA, Cleland LG. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory mediator
production.Am J ClinNutr. 2000 Jan;71(1 Suppl):343S-8S.