My Aching Knees Seemed to Be Cured by Omega-3, New Study Says It May Be True
UK researchers find omega-3 fatty acids slow down osteoarthritis, at least in guinea pigs; I think it worked for me!
By Tucker Sutherland, editor, SeniorJournal.com
Oct. 17, 2011 As an active
well very active tennis player for many years, when I turned 70 I was worried my playing days might end due to my aching knees. I never
took the court without wearing the latest in knee protection devices. Then, shortly after I increased my daily regimen of fish oil pills, the
knee pain disappeared. I was convinced my joints were now better oiled. New research says there may be something to this.
New research has shown for the first time that omega-3 in fish oil could "substantially and significantly" reduce the
signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.
According to the University of Bristol study, funded by Arthritis Research UK and published in the journal
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, omega-3-rich diets fed to guinea pigs, which naturally develop osteoarthritis, reduced disease by 50 per
cent compared to a standard diet.
Women who ate the
most fish did the best at reducing the risk of this leading cause of
blindness in senior citizens - March
15, 2011 (Note see more about Omega-3 fighting AMD below news story.)
Study finds eating fatty fish once a week reduces
heart failure risk, eating more does not. Omega-3 fatty acid benefits
confirmed, too if taken in the right amounts
The research may be a major step forward in showing that omega-3 fatty acids, either sourced from fish oil or flax oil,
can help to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis, or even prevent it occurring.
The researchers say it confirming anecdotal reports and "old wives' tales" about the benefits of fish oil for joint
health. It also confirms my personal experience.
Lead researcher Dr John Tarlton, from the Matrix Biology Research group at the University of Bristol's School of
Veterinary Sciences, said classic early signs of the condition, such as the degradation of collagen in cartilage and the loss of molecules
that give it shock-absorbing properties, were both reduced with omega-3.
"Furthermore, there was strong evidence that omega-3 influences the biochemistry of the disease, and therefore not only
helps prevent disease, but also slows its progression, potentially controlling established osteoarthritis," he said.
Dr Tarlton added, "The only way of being certain that the effects of omega-3 are as applicable to humans as demonstrated
in guinea pigs is to apply omega-3 to humans. However, osteoarthritis in guinea pigs is perhaps the most appropriate model for spontaneous,
naturally occurring osteoarthritis, and all of the evidence supports the use of omega-3 in human disease."
Medical research director of Arthritis Research UK, Professor Alan Silman, said: "The possibility that omega-3 fatty
acids could prevent osteoarthritis from developing has been a tantalizing one. Some limited, previous research in dogs has suggested that we
were a long way away from understanding the potential use in humans. However, this current research in guinea pigs is exciting as it brings us
closer to understanding how omega-3 might fundamentally interfere with the osteoarthritis process, and that it could potentially be taken as a
treatment."
On the back of the results of his study, Dr Tarlton said that following government guidelines on dietary intake of
omega-3 fatty acids could be effective in reducing the burden of osteoarthritis. Fish oil is far more effective than the flax oil based
supplement, but for vegetarians flax oil remains a viable alternative.
"Most diets in the developed world are lacking in omega-3, with modern diets having up to 30 times too much omega-6 and
too little omega-3. Taking omega-3 will help redress this imbalance and may positively contribute to a range of other health problems such as
heart disease and colitis."
Further studies are needed, according to the reserachers, to determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on
established disease in guinea pigs, and to confirm the effects in human osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis affects millions people and is caused when the cartilage at the ends of bones wears away and the
underlying bone thickens, leading to stiff, painful joints. Currently, there is no treatment recognized as effective in slowing down disease
progression, and treatment is limited to pain relief and ultimately joint replacement.
As one human guinea pig, I think it worked for me and look forward to this study being advanced.
Please note, however, another recent study raised the risk of aggressive prostate cancer in older men with too much
omega-3. See a link to this report in box on left.
A number of studies have linked Omega-3 with reducing the risk of
AMD
Oct. 17, 2011 As an active
well very active tennis player for many years, when I turned 70 I was worried my playing days might end due to my aching knees. I never
took the court without wearing the latest in knee protection devices. Then, shortly after I increased my daily regimen of fish oil pills, the
knee pain disappeared. I was convinced my joints were now better oiled. New research says there may be something to this.
