“It is important for patients to know that safer alternatives to pain medications are available,” said Joseph Maroon from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “A fish oil supplement containing EPA and DHA omega-3s is an effective choice with fewer or no side effects.”
Previous studies have reported that omega-3 fatty acids, from both fish and supplemental sources, could reduce and/or prevent inflammation. The new study, published in the April issue of Surgical Neurology (Vol. 65, pp. 326-331), adds to this body of evidence.
The researchers supplemented the diets of 125 people with non-surgical spine pain, and who were taking NSAIDs. The volunteers were given daily supplements of 2400 milligrams omega-3 fatty acids for two weeks and then 1200 mg per day thereafter.
After two weeks, the volunteers were asked to stop their NSAIDs and after one month a questionnaire was sent to the participants to ask about joint and spine pain, side effects and level of NSAID discontinuation.
Fifty-nine per cent of the participants reported that they had stopped completely the NSAIDs medication, and 60 per cent said that their overall level of pain had improved since starting the omega-3 supplements.
“Eighty per cent of the respondents stated they were satisfied with their improvement and 88 per cent stated they would continue to take the omega-3 essential fatty acids,” reported the researchers.
The mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of omega-3 fatty acids, say the authors, is well established and involves the conversion of the fatty acids into the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGs) of the PGE3 series.
The study has several obvious weaknesses including being a retrospective, non-placebo controlled. As such, the placebo effect cannot be eliminated. In addition, the survey was very short-term and longer term follow-up is clearly needed.
Bonnie - while this study does have its limitations, it adds to the ever-growing body of evidence that omega 3 fish oils are a catalyst in reducing inflammation.
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