Evidence supporting the use of: Unsaturated fatty acid
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Unsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish oil, have scientific support for their use in supporting the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs can reduce symptoms such as joint pain and morning stiffness in RA patients. The proposed mechanism involves the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids, which compete with arachidonic acid in cell membranes and lead to the production of less inflammatory eicosanoids. Clinical studies indicate that while omega-3 supplementation does not cure RA or replace standard therapies, it can modestly reduce the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and improve patient-reported outcomes.
The American College of Rheumatology recognizes omega-3 fatty acids as a complementary approach but not a substitute for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Notably, the evidence is stronger for marine-derived omega-3s than for plant-based unsaturated fatty acids (such as alpha-linolenic acid). The overall effect size is modest, and not all studies have shown significant benefits, leading to a moderate rating (3 out of 5) for the strength of evidence. Unsaturated fatty acids are therefore considered a scientifically validated adjunct for symptom management in RA, with the greatest benefit seen in conjunction with conventional medical therapies.
More about Unsaturated fatty acid
More about Rheumatoid Arthritis
Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis
adrenal cortexAlfalfa
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
Other health conditions supported by Unsaturated fatty acid
Alzheimer's DiseaseAngina
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Congestive Heart Failure
Depression
Diabetes
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Memory and Brain Function
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Osteoporosis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Stress
Strokes
Triglycerides (high)
Wounds and Sores