Does Fish Oil Help Gout?
Answer at a Glance: According to a 2019 study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, dietary omega-3 fish oil shows promising potential in preventing gout flare-ups. A second earlier study came to a similar conclusion: those with lower levels of omega-3 tend to have more gout flare-ups.
Dig Deeper
- Omega 3 Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects
- Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Lowers Risk of Recurrent Gout Flares
- Low Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels Associated with Frequent Gout Attacks
- More Research Needed
- References
Omega 3 Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Many studies have robustly demonstrated the potent anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA, found in omega-3 fatty acids, effectively block inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins, converting them into anti-inflammatory chemicals called resolvins. [1]
Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Lowers Risk of Recurrent Gout Flares
The omega-3 gout study conducted by researchers at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School Boston set out to determine the relationship between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids when ingested through diet or supplementation and the risk of gout flares. [2]
The researchers conducted an extensive study that included 724 participants over nine years. They analyzed data from the Boston University Online Gout Study in which gout sufferers filled out questionnaires about behaviors, including supplements and diet preceding gout flare-ups, as well as flare-free periods. [3]
The study concluded that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid consumed in the diet was associated with a lower risk of recurrent gout flares, whereas supplementation alone was not. [4]
Low Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels Associated with Frequent Gout Attacks
The omega-3 gout study conducted by researchers at the University of Nottingham, UK, set out to examine if omega-3 fatty acid levels are associated with frequent gout attacks. It included 112 men, 31 with more than two gout attacks per year and 81 with fewer than two gout attacks per year. [5]
The study found that the group participants with more than two gout attacks per year also had lower omega-3 levels, suggesting that omega-3 plays a role in the incidence of gout attacks. The study did not differentiate between dietary intake and supplementation. [6]
More Research Needed
While the medical community does not yet recognize omega-3 fatty acids as a gout treatment, its anti-inflammatory benefits are gaining wider acceptance. These few studies, including omega-3s and gout sufferers, show promise and underscore the importance of further research to fully understand its beneficial effect on gout.
References
- [1] Arthritis Foundation – “Fish Oil.”
- [2][3][4] “Effect of Dietary and Supplemental Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Risk of Recurrent Gout Flares.” Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2019 Sept. Vol: 71, No: 9, pp: 1580-1586.
- [5][6] Abhishek A, Valdes AM, Doherty M. “Low omega-3 fatty acid levels associate with frequent gout attacks: a case control study.” Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2016;75:784-785.
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