Evidence supporting the use of: Marine fat
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Marine fat, particularly from sources such as fish oil (rich in omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA), is scientifically studied for its effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have shown that supplementation with fish oil can reduce the number of tender joints, duration of morning stiffness, and overall pain in individuals with RA. The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids are believed to be the main mechanism, as they compete with arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) in the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. This shift can lead to reduced inflammatory mediators, which is beneficial in autoimmune conditions like RA.
While the effect sizes are generally moderate, and marine fat is not a replacement for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), its use as an adjunct therapy is supported by clinical evidence. Systematic reviews (e.g., Goldberg & Katz, 2007; Miles & Calder, 2012) acknowledge modest improvements in clinical outcomes and reductions in NSAID use with fish oil supplementation. Most guidelines view fish oil as a complementary intervention rather than a core treatment, reflecting the moderate (not strong) level of evidence. The use of other types of marine fat (e.g., seal or whale blubber) is less studied and not commonly recommended due to lack of data and potential contaminants.
In summary, the use of marine fat (primarily as fish oil) in supporting rheumatoid arthritis is scientifically validated to a moderate extent, with clinical benefits recognized as adjunctive rather than primary therapy.
Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone IAbies spectabilis
Abrus
Actaea spicata
adrenal cortex
Akebia
Alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
amber
amentoflavone
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antler
apigenin
apocynin
Aralia
arctiin
arjunic acid
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalin
baicalein
baicalin
barbasco
bee venom
Bergenia
Black Hellebore
Black willow
bogbean
borage oil
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
celery
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese pond turtle
chuchuhuasi
clematis
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cod liver oil
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cortisol
curcumin
cyanidin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fat liver oil
fisetin
fish protein
flavanols
flavones
Flemingia philippinensis
frankincense
fructoborate
Fumaria parviflora
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
genistein
Gentiana macrophylla
ginger
ginkgetin
green-lipped mussel
guelder rose
Gypenoside
Harpagoside
Hellebore
horse gram
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
Jatropha macrantha
Kaempferol
krill oil
luteolin
madder
mangiferin
Marine fat
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Myricetin
Myristoleate
Nobiletin
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Phaeophyceae
phospholipids
Piper chaba
Polydatin
polyunsaturated fat
proteoglycans
Puerarin
Qin Jiao
resveratrol
rose hips
Salicin
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
saponins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Semecarpus anacardium
Shilajit
Silkmoth
Sinomenium acutum
slippery elm bark
smilax
Stearidonic acid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Szechuan lovage
Tanshinone
Taxillus chinensis
teasel
turmeric
Uncaria
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watercress
white willow
Withanolides
Other health conditions supported by Marine fat
Alzheimer's DiseaseArthritis
Asthma
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Depression
Diabetes
Fatty Liver Disease
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Memory and Brain Function
Multiple Sclerosis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Strokes
Triglycerides (high)
