Omega-3 may help osteoarthritis patients

Omega-3 fatty acids substantially and significantly reduce the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, according to new research.

An animal study at the university of Bristol has shown that Omega-3 can slow down the progression of osteoarthritis, or even prevent it occurring.

"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," stated Dr John Tarlton, from the Matrix Biology Research group.

Studies have already suggested that Omega-3 fatty acids can help protect against other degenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease.

Researchers observed that when mice were fed an omega-3 rich diet, they were immune to MPTP, a compound that simulates the same brain damage caused by Parkinson's.

Conversely, those mice fed an ordinary diet developed the characteristics associated with Alzheimer's, including a 31 per cent decrease in dopamine-producing neurons and a 50 per cent decrease in dopamine levels.

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