The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Main Authors: Ifigenia Kostoglou-Athanassiou, Lambros Athanassiou, Panagiotis Athanassiou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PCO Convin S.A. 2020-01-01
• Series: Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology
• Subjects: omega-3 fatty acids; experimental arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis
• Online Access: http://mjrheum.org/assets/files/792/file242_1161.pdf

Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids thought to play a role in health and disease. They are known as essential fatty acids, as they cannot be synthesized in mammals. Omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect on the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease and stroke and are essential for the development and function of the nervous system and the retina in man. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to have immunomodulatory properties as they act as precursors to lipid mediators of inflammation which may limit or modulate the inflammatory response. Omega-3 fatty acids seem to prevent or attenuate experimental arthritis. They may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may have a modulatory effect on disease activity, namely on the number of swollen and tender joints. It appears that omega-3 fatty acids may modulate disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.