Evidence supporting the use of: Omega-3 fatty acids
For the health condition: Arthritis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish oil, have been extensively studied for their effects on inflammatory conditions, including arthritis. Scientific evidence supports their use in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune form of arthritis characterized by joint inflammation and pain. Numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that supplementation with omega-3s can reduce joint tenderness, morning stiffness, and the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in people with RA.

The anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3s are believed to arise from their ability to modulate the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines, substances involved in the inflammatory response. While the benefits are most robustly demonstrated in RA, the evidence for osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease, is less clear but still suggests some potential for symptom improvement.

Leading health organizations, such as the American College of Rheumatology, acknowledge the supportive evidence for omega-3s as an adjunctive therapy in RA. However, omega-3s are not a replacement for standard disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) but may provide additional symptomatic relief. Typical doses used in studies range from 2-4 grams of EPA and DHA daily. In summary, there is substantial scientific validation for the use of omega-3 fatty acids in supporting the management of arthritis, particularly RA.

More about omega-3 fatty acids
More about Arthritis

Other ingredients used for Arthritis

adrenal cortex
alfalfa
algal oil
allspice
aloe vera
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bamboo
barberry
basil
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
Beta-Glucan
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
borage oil
boron
Indian frankincense
bovine
bovine gelatin
broccoli
bromelain
burdock
calamari oil
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
carrot
cartilage
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
celery
cherry
chondroitin
chymotrypsin
cinnamon
citrus oil
clove
collagen
collard
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
copper
cordyceps
cowage seed
cryptoxanthin
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
evening primrose oil
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
gelatin
genistein
ginger
ginseng
glucosamine
gooseberry
gotu kola
green lipped mussel
green tea
guggul
heartwood
hemp oil
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
Indian tinospora
knotweed
kale
krill oil
kudzu
luteolin
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC)
moringa
mustard seed
myristoleate
n-acetyl-glucosamine
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
spruce
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oregon grape
papain
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pregnenolone
pumpkin
quercetin
raspberry
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sardines
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
black ginger
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
strawberry
strontium
thyme
triphala
ubiquinol
vitamin B
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
water
watercress
wheat grass
mulberry
white willow
wild yam
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
suma
squawvine
jiaogulan
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
gastrodia
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
punarnava
commiphora
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
morus
lemongrass
myrrh
root tuber
ferulic acid
silk tree
chrysanthemum
haliotis
juniper berries
solomon's seal
amber
dioscorea
dodder
ganoderma
sweetgums
morinda
zanthoxylum
birch
royal jelly
guelder rose
polyphenols
trace minerals
purslane
fulvic acid
yucca
barrenwort
wintergreen
menthol oil
gentiana macrophylla
noni
biota seed
goji berry
abies spectabilis
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
indigo leaves
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
soursop
geranium
clematis
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Ash
Aralia
Avens
akebia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Aminomonosaccharide
Animal Tissue
Antler
Alpha-Humulene
Ardisia
Angelica
Apigenin
Allicin
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Avocado
Anserina
Ascophyllum nodosum
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Andrographis
Ampelopsin
Actaea spicata
Asteracea
Avenacosides
Acetylsalicylic acid
Arjunic Acid
Aspen
Ant
Abalone
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Alantolactone
Apocynin
Astragalin
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Betony
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Bulnesia sarmientoi
bergenin
Blubber oil
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Big Quaking Grass
Bugbane
Bone Marrow
Baicalein
Bee hive
Bovine Protein
Basidiomycota
berry
Bogbean
Boswellia
Black Poplar
Banyan
Black willow
Boxwood
Bur-Reed
Bioflavonoids
Barbasco
Bone Protein
Bee products
Barbary matrimony vine
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Babassu
Bacteria
Borage
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
Black root
Bupleurum
Bittersweet
benzyl isothiocyanate
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Bee venom
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Caryophyllene
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Crustaceans
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Camelina Oil
Cod Liver Oil
Cortisol
Cnidium
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Capillary Artemisia
Cyanidin
Chinese Fleeceflower
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Capsaicin
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Cedar
Corktree
Curcuma
Calanus finmarchicus
C-Phycocyanin
Cabbage
Crinum latifolium
Cannabidiol
Cinnamaldehyde
Cytokines
Corallina officinalis
Carthamus
Celastrus
Copaiba Oil
Clerodendrum indicum
Currant
Cannabichromene
Cannabigerol
Dimorphandra mollis
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Daphne
Devil's Club
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
Dwarf Nettle
Dulse
Diterpenes
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipsacus
European Elder
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
Eclipta
Elk antler
Emblicanin
Emu Oil
Enzyme Blend
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Elephant's Head
Evening Primrose Oil
European-Five Finger Grass
Echium
Eugenol
Ecklonia
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Glycosaminoglycans
Lotus
Mustard
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Sumac
walnut
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by omega-3 fatty acids

Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Anger (excessive)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Defects (prevention)
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Bloodshot Eyes
Body Building
Broken Bones
Bulimia
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cholesterol (high)
Cholesterol (low)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Epilepsy
Exercise
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Glaucoma
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritability
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Muscular Dystrophy
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Pets (supplements for)
PMS Type D
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Psoriasis
Raynaud's Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rosacea
Schizophrenia
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seborrhea
Seizures
Senility
Sickle Cell Anemia
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Spinal Disks
Strokes
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Thinking (cloudy)
Thrombosis
Triglycerides (high)
Triglycerides (low)
Vaginal Dryness