When faced with the question what do I need fish oils for and what dose should I be taking for the management of pain and stiffness, it is always handy to be able to refer to a reliable third party source. This open access paper describes just ‘what the prescriber needs to know’. This manuscript speaks directly to practitioners and patients who would like to experience fish oil benefits. It was published in 2006 by researchers from Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia. It is worth downloading and keeping on your computer for ease of reference.
Abstract
There is a general belief among doctors, in part grounded in experience, that patients with arthritis need nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Implicit in this view is that these patients require the symptomatic relief provided by inhibiting synthesis of nociceptive prostaglandin E2, a downstream product of the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase (COX), which is inhibited by NSAIDs.
However, the concept of ‘safe’ NSAIDs has collapsed following a multiplicity of observations establishing increased risk for cardiovascular events associated with NSAID use, especially but not uniquely with the new COX-2-selective NSAIDs.
This mandates greater parsimony in the use of these agents. Fish oils contain a natural inhibitor of COX, reduce reliance on NSAIDs, and reduce cardiovascular risk through multiple mechanisms. Fish oil thus warrants consideration as a component of therapy for arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, in which its symptomatic benefits are well established.
A major barrier to the therapeutic use of fish oil in inflammatory diseases is ignorance of its mechanism, range of beneficial effects, safety profile, availability of suitable products, effective dose, latency of effects and instructions for administration.
This review provides an evidence-based resource for practitioners and patients who may choose to prescribe or take fish oil. To view the paper click here.
