Fish oil supplements may not prevent bone loss in knee osteoarthritis after all says new study

Doubt has been cast on the benefits of fish oil supplementation for preventing bone loss in people with knee osteoarthritis, experts highlight in Osteoporosis International.

An Australian research group investigated if supplementation with high dose omega-3 fish oil could have an impact on bone mineral density in 202 people aged at least 40 years who were affected by the disease.
The volunteers were split into groups. Some received a high dose and others a low dose of omega-3 fish oil supplementation for two years. Bone mineral density was assessed at the start of the study and two years later.

No differences were found in the two-year bone density measures between the high and low-dose groups. Mild side effects (such as headache and stomach upset) were common, but again did not differ between groups, and there were no serious adverse events related to the supplements

“A two-year supplementation with high-dose omega-3 fish oil did not alter bone loss among men and women with knee osteoarthritis,” the research group concludes.

Dr Katherine Free from Arthritis Research UK comments:

“Omega-3 essential fatty acids can help control the immune system and fight joint inflammation, and there is evidence that fish oil supplements can improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

“But what works for one form of arthritis may not work for others, and this study adds to previous evidence that fish oil supplements are not effective at improving the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

“Despite this, it is important that people with arthritis eat a healthy balanced diet, which includes eating two portions of fish a week.”

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