Evidence supporting the use of: DHA
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil and certain algae. Its use in supporting or treating Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is primarily justified by scientific investigation, not tradition. Several studies have explored the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids, including both DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in autoimmune conditions such as RA.

Clinical trials have shown that supplementation with omega-3s can reduce joint pain and stiffness in RA patients, decrease the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and lower biomarkers of inflammation. However, most research uses combinations of DHA and EPA, and it is sometimes difficult to attribute benefits solely to DHA. A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis (Gioxari et al., 2018, Nutrition) found moderate evidence that omega-3 supplementation can reduce disease activity in RA. The mechanisms are believed to involve a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokine production and modulation of immune cell function.

While the evidence is not overwhelming or conclusive, there is consistent medium-quality scientific support for the use of DHA (particularly as part of fish oil supplements) as an adjunct to standard RA therapy. Guidelines from some rheumatology societies acknowledge the potential benefit but do not recommend omega-3s as a replacement for disease-modifying drugs.

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Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis

adrenal cortex
Alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
borage oil
celery
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fisetin
fish protein
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
genistein
ginger
green lipped mussel
krill oil
luteolin
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
myristoleate
omega-3 fatty acids
phospholipids
resveratrol
rose hips
sardines
slippery elm bark
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Urolithin A
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
watercress
white willow
alpinia galangal
smilax
fumaria parviflora
Szechuan lovage
amber
teasel
guelder rose
gentiana macrophylla
Abies spectabilis
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
clematis
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
Aralia
Akebia
Antler
Apigenin
Abrus
Andrographolide
Amentoflavone
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Actaea spicata
Arjunic Acid
Apocynin
Arctiin
Astragalin
Boswellic Acid
Baicalein
Bogbean
Boswellia
Black willow
Barbasco
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
Baicalin
Black Hellebore
Bee venom
Bergenia
Cod Liver Oil
Cortisol
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cyanidin
Chinese Fleeceflower
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chuchuhuasi
Cetylated Fatty Acids
C-Phycocyanin
Cannabidiol
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Evening Primrose Oil
Fat liver oil
Fructoborate
Flemingia philippinensis
Frankincense
Flavanols
Flavones
Ginkgetin
Gypenoside
Horse Gram
Hyperoside
Hellebore
Hydroxytyrosol
Harpagoside
Jatropha macrantha
Kaempferol
Mangiferin
Myricetin
Madder
Marine fat
Nobiletin
Osthole
Puerarin
Piper chaba
Phaeophyceae
Proteoglycans
Polydatin
Polyunsaturated Fat
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Qin Jiao
Silkmoth
Schizochytrium Oil
Schizochytrium
Salicin
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
Sinomenium acutum
Semecarpus anacardium
saponins
Shilajit
Stearidonic acid
Sulforaphane
Taxillus chinensis
Tanshinone
Uncaria
Ursolic Acid
Withanolides

Products containing DHA

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.