08 September 2015
A new study from Australia reports that an omega-3 fatty acid supplementation of patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis seems to reduce the risk of anti-rheumatic drug failure.
In the randomized controlled trial, patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for less than 12 months received a high dose (5.5 g/day) or a low dose (0.4 g/day) of fish oil with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in addition to three disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (1). The study results showed that the participants who received the higher dose of fish oil had a significantly reducedrisk of combined drug therapy failure and a higher rate of remission of disease symptoms.
The researchers commented that earlier studies already indicated that the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids can curb stiffness and joint pain in patients with long-lasting rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints (2). In addition, fish oil supplements have shown to boost the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs. Unlike prescription medications, fish oil does not appear to slow progression of rheumatoid arthritis, only to treat the symptoms.
10 October 2014
A supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids seems to significantly improve the processing speed of visual signals, even in young, healthy people.
15 January 2014
A new US review reports that the healthiest diets, rich in fruits, vegetables and fish, cost about USD 1.50 more per day than the least healthy diets.
1 May 2011
High concentrations of oxygen radicals in the body (oxidative stress) have been linked to the exacerbation of atherosclerosis and hence the onset of cardiovascular disease. At the same time, observation studies have consistently indicated that antioxidant micronutrients in the diet could have a protective effect in the context of cardiovascular disease.
