Dr. Stephen Wright, a researcher in Belfast, Ireland has successfully treated Lupus (an abbreviation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), a potentially-fatal autoimmune disorder that can affect many different organs, with low doses of omega-3 fish oil. Symptoms can include joint and muscle aches or pain, permanent rashes on the cheek, kidney problems, extreme fatigue, ulcers, hair loss, flu-like symptoms, depression and more.
"Part of my work was to investigate different aspects of vascular disease (blood vessels) in patients with lupus by studying the function of the cells lining the blood vessels," he said.
"I was able to show that in patients with lupus there was an impaired function that could be improved by Omega-3 fish oils."
Patients that took fish oil, even at low doses, “showed improvement in blood vessel function and a reduction in cell damaging molecules.” Patients also reported far fewer incidents of “fatigue, joint pain, rashes, mouth ulcers and headaches.”
For his research on fish oil and lupus, Dr. Wright received the Irish Society for Rheumatology’s Young Investigator of the Year Award.
Source: Lupus Breakthrough with Fish Oil
Comments
The source on this article
November 9, 2008 by Anonymous, 33 weeks 6 days ago
Comment id: 32778
The source on this article leads to a commercial site, not a peer-reviewed article describing a scientific study. This is not science! The commercial site, which aims to sell you omega three tabs, sites a newspaper article. And the original science isn't shown anywhere. I'm a big fan of omega three supplements. I take them everyday and I find them to be a good treatment for my attention and mood issues. But I acknowledge that the scientific community has not reached any conclusions about omega 3. It takes years and many trials to conclude anything with science because of the peer-review system. Its this system that allows us to be relatively certain that the conclusions the we come to through science aren't being colored by wishful thinking and the desire to sell things. We don't know what omega 3 will do for lupus. As an health care professional, I would recommend trying it, since there are few side effects and the oil is likely to support health in other ways, too. But its too early to claim that its a "treatment" for lupus.
Mammalian sourced Omega 3
October 30, 2008 by Anonymous, 35 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 32637
Mammalian sourced Omega 3 comes in a 1:1 ratio of Omega 6:Omega 3 which quickly brings about a healthy balance in the body. Fish oil has a ratio of 6:1 or even l0-14:1.
for more info: l.lhughes@sympatico.ca
Omega 3 - a vital part of the diet.
October 28, 2008 by Anonymous, 35 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 32587
Omega 3 has important benefits for the body including the brain. Very important vital part of the diet.I have been taking Omega 3 supplement(neurovi.com)while I was pregnant and nursing.It uses Pharmaceutical grade fish oil.I think it is better than the other.
New age- New discoveries
October 26, 2008 by Anonymous, 35 weeks 5 days ago
Comment id: 32545
I knew Omega 3 was very powerful, I am taking it ever since I was told I had high cholesterol (neurovi,com Omega 3, great product, backed by a guarantee). I was a little hesitant to take any prescribed medication because of the side effects involved however my wife persuaded me but I also take this as an aid and it has helped significantly. I had no idea it could be used to treat lupus ( my sister in laws, younger sister was diagnosed last year)
Thanks for the info
A number of trials Omega 3s in auto immune condtions
August 9, 2008 by Anonymous, 47 weeks 4 hours ago
Comment id: 31454
There are a number of trials suggesting that administration of long chain Omega 3s may have benefit in autoimmune / inflammatory conditions.
This is what Simopoulos AP a respect researcher said "There have been a number of clinical trials assessing the benefits of dietary supplementation with fish oils in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in humans, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and migraine headaches. Many of the placebo-controlled trials of fish oil in chronic inflammatory diseases reveal significant benefit, including decreased disease activity and a lowered use of anti-inflammatory drugs."
Arguably ensuring that there is not excess Omega 6 in the diet would also have positive benefits by removing the raw material of the downstream inflammatory products.
Excess dietary Omega six intake effects are exacerbated because the body can store high levels of Omega 6 in the body fat (20 plus percent in some has been observed) and stores little Omega 3.
Many thanks you for posting. It is always positive to growing see recognition of the impact of Omega 3 and 6 by the medical profession.
Robert Brown
Author Omega Six The Devils Fat
www.omegasixthedevilsfat.com