People with the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for heart disease. Taking fish oil reduces this risk and improves rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Here are the reported benefits in 18 people who took fish oil compared to 13 who did not.

• Significant reduction in NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) use
• Positive changes in fasting blood lipids
• RA remission at 3 years was more frequent with fish oil use (72%) compared to no fish oil (31%).

In addition, there were beneficial changes in arachidonic acid, thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2 at a biochemical level.

The bottom line?

Fish oil reduces the risk for heart disease in patients with RA through multiple mechanisms.

11/21/06 17:47 JR