For those of us going the non-traditional route of high-dose (not just 1 or two capsules) omega-3 therapy, combined with reduction in dietary omega-6 consumption (for instance, the "Mediterranean diet" is low in omega-6).
I take between 3000mg and 6000mg of omega-3 EFA per day - that's the equivalent of 10 to 20 "standard" fish oil capsules. I take concentrated enteric-coated capsules, which have 750mg omega-3's per capsule. I 'only' need 4 to 8 of these per day. It has made a world of difference for me these past 5 years.
I definitely think more research needs to be done on omega-3/omega-6 intake and the effect on prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes (all eicosanoids), TNF, and other pro-inflammatory agents - and consequently, the effect of omega-3 supplementation on chronic inflammatory conditions, including RA.
Oh yeah, if I decided to do this, do I have to start drinking Coca-cola (12 oz/day!)
Okay, I need tips on how to take lots without getting queezy. Can I take a lot in the morning with all my other pills, right after breakfast, without meesing those up? I have been TRYING to take 2 after lunch, at work, I pack them in a pill box and everything. But on days I am moderately nauseated, I skip them, far too much! Part of that was that I was on Plaq, which hurts my stomach, then the weird drink to get Arava out of my system. But over both, maybe now will be better. My husband is also trying to take some, as his triglycerides are high. He LOVES fish too but I can't touch fish unless it is fried, so I try to avoid it, as that can't be healthy....he likes sardines right out of the can, but not if he wants to spend time with his wife :)
[QUOTE=waddie]Jas, I find this fascinating! Are there negative side effects? And hydroxychloroquine is your DMARD? Is there some where I could find info?
Oh yeah, if I decided to do this, do I have to start drinking Coca-cola (12 oz/day!)
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For a couple of years, I used fish oil as the only DMARD. A couple of years ago I decided that since I felt so good, I didn't really have RA and therefore didn't need to chug handfuls of capsules every day. I felt good for a few weeks, then fell into the flare from hell. I started back up on fish oil, but sadly it did not take care of all the pain/inflammation this time so we added plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine). That did the trick.
In high doses, omega-3 EFAs can inhibit TNF, and also alter then eicosanoid metabolic pathways resulting in a shift towards anti-inflammatory molecules (as opposed to the pro-inflammatory molecules a high omega-6 diet favors).
As for the Coke - I need it more for mental health. Everything seems better with Coke.
[QUOTE=KatieG]Okay, I need tips on how to take lots without getting queezy. Can I take a lot in the morning with all my other pills, right after breakfast, without meesing those up? I have been TRYING to take 2 after lunch, at work, I pack them in a pill box and everything. But on days I am moderately nauseated, I skip them, far too much! Part of that was that I was on Plaq, which hurts my stomach, then the weird drink to get Arava out of my system. But over both, maybe now will be better. My husband is also trying to take some, as his triglycerides are high. He LOVES fish too but I can't touch fish unless it is fried, so I try to avoid it, as that can't be healthy....he likes sardines right out of the can, but not if he wants to spend time with his wife :)[/QUOTE]
Have to tried the enteric-coated capsules? There are even some with lemon, mint or vanilla flavoring embedded in them. I used to have problems with the regular capsules as well. I don't have issues with the enteric-coated ones.
Jasmine Rain where do you get the pills that are stronger so you can take less? Can I order them from a website?
[QUOTE=Dalmatinka]Jasmine Rain where do you get the pills that are stronger so you can take less? Can I order them from a website?[/QUOTE]
I don't know what's available over in Croatia, but here in the States, they are commonly available in grocery and drug stores. The last time I bought some, I believe I got the "Nature Made" brand double-strength enteric-coated fish oil concentrate at Walgreens. They have 600mg combined EPA + DHA per capsule (as opposed to the normal 300mg). I've also used NOW brand, available from netrition.com. Their Ultra Omega has 750mg combined EPA + DHA per capsule. I'm not sure if they ship overseas.
Thanks Jas, I will look in the drug stores here or I will ask them to show me as they keep everything behind the counter, so annoying, what percentage EPA and DHA should each capsule have or do I just look for 600mg per capsule? Then I would take 4 per day in order to get 3000mg of Omegas per day. Sorry I am terrible at math! :-)so how many mg of fish oil total per day do you take?
I take only a small dose of fish oil capsules each day (3) and even that acts as a laxative. How on earth can you take so much? Does your body get used to it?
I'e been taking Nature's Bounty 1200 mg Fish Oil (it's a lower dose per capsule than yours, Jas, but still a little higher than most @ 360 mg fatty acid per capsule), 6 per day. I have not used any other DMARD since being diagnosed. I stopped taking them for a few weeks and felt the pain coming back in a bad way. Went back to taking them regularly and am feeling much better. I'll look for the higher dose capsules at Walgreen's and give them a try.I take only a small dose of fish oil capsules each day (3) and even that acts as a laxative. How on earth can you take so much? Does your body get used to it?
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