Omega-3 support thread | Arthritis Information

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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!) [/QUOTE]

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'm more than willing to try, but what is the dose I should 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 do believe that fish oil, as well as lifestyle changes (lost 55 pounds, am eating healthy foods -- no gluten, no red meat, lots of fruits and veggies, red  wine!) have kept pain and inflammation to a minimum. 
To all those not currently taking fish oil - before taking large doses, you MUST talk it over with your doctor.  It's not without risk or interactions.  Research indicates that an intake of 3000mg or more per day of combined EPA + DHA is required to show benefit in RA.  Personally, I take enough capsules to get 3000mg - 6000mg/day EPA + DHA, depending on how stressed I am, how crappy my diet is (usually stress + crappy diet go hand-in-hand!), if I'm having any issues with pain/inflammation, etc.

I can't emphasize it enough - check with your doctor!!! Don't do anything solely based on what you read on a messageboard!
[QUOTE=Hillhoney]

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? 

[/QUOTE]

Once in a while I have problems in that department, but usually not.
[QUOTE=Nancy R.]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. [/QUOTE]
 
My doctor fully supports this combined with glucosamine chondroitin msm I am just glad that there is the possibility to take less capsules and hope that I can find the ones like you take.  It will take a little time and effort but I will do it I was taking a brand once I think it was Barry Sears and I took 8 per day but cant remember the EPAs and DHAs will see if I can find it
 
 
[QUOTE=Dalmatinka][QUOTE=JasmineRain]To all those not currently taking fish oil - before taking large doses, you MUST talk it over with your doctor.  It's not without risk or interactions.  Research indicates that an intake of 3000mg or more per day of combined EPA + DHA is required to show benefit in RA.  Personally, I take enough capsules to get 3000mg - 6000mg/day EPA + DHA, depending on how stressed I am, how crappy my diet is (usually stress + crappy diet go hand-in-hand!), if I'm having any issues with pain/inflammation, etc.

I can't emphasize it enough - check with your doctor!!! Don't do anything solely based on what you read on a messageboard!
[/QUOTE] I'm highly allergic to seafood. I wonder if taking fish oil would be a problem for me. That might be a stupid question....if so sorry. [QUOTE=Lovie]I'm highly allergic to seafood. I wonder if taking fish oil would be a problem for me. That might be a stupid question....if so sorry.[/QUOTE]

I've no idea.  Best to run that one by your doc.Also, in light of threads I have read recently, and the fact that RA people often get depressed...
 
I was at my pscyh recently (a new one) and I told him I was thinking about starting anti-depressants but would like to avoid them (had been on them last year). Without knowing I have RA, he said I should def. take fish oil every day, that it would help in lieu of anti-d's (at least to a degree)
My RD started me on 3000 4 years ago and I take it faithfully until this week.  I ran out on our 4 day trip back to the states and right now I'm day 6 without them.  I have inflammation causing swelling, especially in my damaged ankle.  The health food store is open tomorrow so I'll be there at 9 a.m. waiting to get in, I need my Omegas.  He had me on a much larger dose but the high dose caused an eye bleed.  Once it was lowered I did fine.   It's always best to talk with your RD about starting any new med/vitamin.  There can be interactions and side effects.  Lindy [QUOTE=JasmineRain]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.[/QUOTE]

A great thread! I have followed a Mediterranean-style diet for most of my life and about a year and a half ago added high-dose omega-3 supplementation on the advice of my medical team. It was three or four months before I began to notice the effects of the increased "fish oil", but now, like Lindy, if I miss more than just a couple of days I can most definitely tell it.

An attitude adjustment hour and a handful of capsules and viola! a new person. [QUOTE=LinB]My RD started me on 3000 4 years ago and I take it faithfully until this week.  I ran out on our 4 day trip back to the states and right now I'm day 6 without them.  I have inflammation causing swelling, especially in my damaged ankle.  The health food store is open tomorrow so I'll be there at 9 a.m. waiting to get in, I need my Omegas.  He had me on a much larger dose but the high dose caused an eye bleed.  Once it was lowered I did fine.   It's always best to talk with your RD about starting any new med/vitamin.  There can be interactions and side effects.  Lindy[/QUOTE]

I know what you mean... I had the mother of all flares after stopping my omega-3's one summer (thought I didn't need them
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