An inflammatory disease
Rheumatic arthritis is a chronic disease of the synovial tissue in the joints, leading to inflammation and eventually to permanent deformation. The synovia normally produces joint fluid, which acts as a lubricant, also providing the cartilage with important nutrients. In rheumatoid arthritis, the synovia are invaded by activated white blood cells, releasing certain chemical substances into the fluid and leading to the degeneration of cartilage and subsequent inflammation of the surrounding tissue. The symptoms are pain, stiffness, reduction of joint and muscle strength and, ultimately, joint deformation.
Today's treatment of rheumatic disease is directed toward suppressing symptoms and preventing joint deformation. Medical treatment is characterized by an aggressive approach, combining non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with cytostatics or other immune-suppressants. The goal of this aggressive treatment is to improve the patient's long-term outcome with respect to symptoms and function. However, the challenge is to prevent adverse effects while monitoring liver and bone marrow function.
Omega-3s have beneficial effects
Omega-3 fatty acids not only reduce symptoms and may potentially facilitate lower doses of NSAIDs, they also appear to preserve joint function, meaning they act as drug-disease-modifiers. To take optimal advantage of the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids, individuals must take large doses, larger quantities than what is possible to get through diet alone. This requires dietary supplements of concentrated omega-3 fatty acids, 5-6 grams per day.
Curb dietary omega-6s
Diet can interfere with the clinical course of a disease since fatty acids help fine-tune the human immune system. omega-3 fatty acids reduce immunological effects while omega-6 fatty acids have the opposite effect. Besides eating a diet rich in fish containing omega-3 fatty acids and/or taking dietary supplements, individuals with
