DALLAS, Texas – Fish oil supplementation improves doctor’s assessment in patient’s health surveys and showed improvement in some circulating inflammatory markers, a study has found.
The widely available oral supplement effectiveness in impacting health was tested using a random, placebo-style study on two groups. The impact of the fish oil on quality of life, fatigue, and a large panel of soluble mediators in Systemic lupus erythematosus patients was evaluated.
Results were published in the August edition of the Nutrition Journal.
The study examined the reactions of 50 patients recruited at outpatient clinics in a randomized 1:1 fish oil to olive oil placebo study. Baselines were taken after 6 months of treatment using a survey and their doctor’s global assessment of their conditions. Serum was also analyzed.
Researchers have concluded the data was strong enough to support their findings that using fish oil supplements in the treatment of lupus patients improved their quality of life, fatigue, disease activity, and inflammation biomarkers.
They conclude that further studies with larger groups of patients are warranted to confirm their study.
Dr. Tanya Lee, H.BSc., N.D. Health Centre of Milton, Ont. said fish oils have been commonly used by naturopathic doctors to treat conditions related to inflammation, such as lupus.
“It is not surprising this study revealed improved outcomes of inflammation compared to olive oil as fish oils contain a high concentration of omega 3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA,” Lee said. “Many previous studies, in vivo, in vitro and clinical studies, have demonstrated the impact of fish oils on inflammatory markers and on symptom improvement, such as pain.”
She said the anti-inflammatory action of fish oils are mainly due to its effects on reducing inflammatory proteins produced by the immune system in response to some sort of damage in the body. Some inflammatory markers fish oils have been found to reduce include IL-6, IL-1, IL-10 and TNF-a, which are proteins linked to a number of diseases such as lupus erythematosus, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, neurological diseases and pain conditions.
“In clinical practice, I find fish oils to be an effective intervention to reduce pain and swelling related to inflammation, and is a mainstay for prevention of diseases related to inflammation, such as autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus,” Lee said.
http://www.nutritionj.com/content/14/1/82
