Research Studies on Fish Oils and Crohn's Disease

Fish Oils and Crohn's Disease - What does the current research show on using omega 3 fatty acids and fish oils in the treatment of Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel conditions?

According to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), about 1 million people have Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD).

While there's currently no cure, many people can improve their quality of life by following recommended medical treatment along with suggested dietary and lifestyle practices.

The following information takes a closer look at irritable bowel disease and the effects of omega 3 fatty acids and fish oils for treatment.

The two most common forms of Irritable Bowel Disease are:

• Crohn's Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis

Statistics from CCFA show males or females are equally affected by either disease and it's believed genetics may play a role.

Click for Larger Image

Crohn's Disease generally affects regional areas of the large intestine, but it may also affect smaller portions of the small intestine.

This diagram illustrates the red areas of the gastrointestinal tract that may be affected by the disease.

Side Note:

The disease involves an inflammatory process that may cause cramps, diarrhea, abdominal pains, vomiting and weight loss.

What causes Irritable Bowel Disease?

Researchers believe the genesis for this disease is an interplay between the immune system, environmental factors and a possible bacterial infection.

The current hypothesis is your immune system mistakes the bacteria normally found in your digestive system as foreign invaders and attacks them. This causes white blood cells to build up in the area, causing inflammation. This ultimately leads to ulcerations and tissue damage to the bowel.

Medical treatment for Crohn's disease treatment usually involves anti-inflammatory drugs and immune-supportive medications.

Recent research indicates that omega 3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce inflammatory mediators within the body. Based on these properties, could fish oils be used as a natural treatment for Crohn's disease?

The following research studies look at the use of omega 3 fatty acids, fish oils and Crohn's diseases:

1. Fatty Acids in Fish Oil Fight Inflammation

Fish oils contain omega 3 fatty acids

Ireland - A study published in the 2010 May Issue of Nutrition Reviews cited that increasing the intake of omega 3 fatty acids will have profound anti-inflammatory effects in the body.

Researchers believe the typical Western Diet is excessively high in omega 6 polyunsaturated fats from the consumption of certain vegetable oils and processed foods.

These omega 6 fatty acids may produce inflammatory precursors leading to an increased risk for inflammation within the body.

Scientists believe that omega 3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the production of these inflammatory precursors.

Increasing dietary intake of omega 3 fatty acids through fatty fish or fish oils may reduce inflammation in the body and may have a role in reducing the symptoms of cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases.

2. Fish Oils improve Crohn's Disease Symptoms

Italy - Many patients with Crohn's disease experience periods of remission coupled with relapses of inflammation and symptoms.

Research on omega 3 fatty acids and fish oils suggest they have an anti-inflammatory effect, but the duration of treatment may be shortened due to the low tolerance for the taste and possible side effects of some fish oil products.

Researchers looked at the effects an enteric-coated fish oil supplement would have on relapse rates and remissions in Crohn's patients with a high degree of relapse.

Enteric coatings may improve absorption

Seventy-nine (79) patients with Crohn's disease, and a high rate of relapse, received a daily supplement of 9 fish oil capsules containing almost 3 grams of omega 3 fatty acids.

A special coating (enteric-coating) on the capsules prevented them from being digested by stomach acid for at least 30 minutes.

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study lasted for 12 months, upon which researchers assessed the current symptoms experienced by study subjects.

And the results are:

• 72% of patients taking fish oils didn't experience a relapse in symptoms.

• 60% of the same patients taking fish oils were symptom-free.

• Patients taking the placebo didn't do as well; they had almost 2.5 times more relapses and only 26% of these patients stayed symptom-free.

Researchers concluded the use of enteric-coated fish oil supplements are effective in reducing the rate of relapse in patients with Crohn's Disease.

3. Using Omega 3 Fatty Acids in Autoimmune Disease

Washington - Researchers at the Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health indicate that many animal studies and clinical trials support the anti-inflammatory properties of omega 3 fatty acids; particularly eicosopenaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish oils.

It's believed that autoimmune diseases display an increased activity level of pro-inflammatory markers, such as interleukin 1 and leukotriene LTB (4); both components involved in increasing inflammation in the body.

The available research indicates omega 3 fatty acids may reduce the proliferation and initiation of interleukin 1 and leukotrienes LTB.

Researchers cited the many placebo-controlled studies involving the use of fish oil in chronic inflammatory conditions where there was substantial decrease in symptoms and decreased use of corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs.

4. Using Omega 3 Fatty Acids for Remission in Crohn's

London, Canada - One of the largest, multi-center studies conducted at 98 centers spanning Europe, Canada, Israel and United States found omega 3 fatty acids did not improve the rate of relapse from remission of Crohn's disease, when compared to a placebo.

Two groups of 363 and 375 Crohn's patients were randomly given 4 grams/day of omega 3 fatty acids or placebo for up to 58 weeks.

• The rate of relapse between the first group taking omega 3 fatty acids and placebo was 31.6% and 35.7%.

• The second group relapse rate of omega 3 fatty acid to placebo was 47.8% and 48.8%.

Researchers concluded that 4 grams/day of omega 3 fatty acids was not effective in preventing relapse in Crohn's disease.

Editorial Comments on Omega 3 Fish Oils and Crohn's Disease

Can you use fish oils for Crohn's disease?

Omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to offer anti-inflammatory effects.

In certain disease processes where there is an inflammatory component involved, it may be possible to counter or reduce these effects with omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oils or other dietary food sources.

Unfortunately, there is conflicting data on the use of omega 3 fatty acids and fish oils on Crohn's disease.

One study found no change in Crohn's relapse between a placebo and 4 grams/day of omega 3 fatty acids.

Another study found the opposite results whereby 72% of patients taking an enteric-coated fish oil did not experience any relapse in symptoms.

Is it possible that an enteric-coated supplement may have more positive effects on a compromised digestion system than traditional fish oils?

Unfortunately more research needs to be undertaken before a confirmed conclusion can be reached. However, adhering to recommended medical treatment and dietary practices may help reduce the symptoms associated with this condition.

Fish Oils and Crohn's Disease - Choosing the Right Fish Oil

Research shows pharmaceutical-grade fish oils may help reduce inflammation. It's hypothesized that this anti-inflammatory effect may help reduce the amount of inflammatory mediators in the body, thereby reducing the amount of inflammation in the body.

Choosing the right omega 3 fish oil supplement may play a big part in the effectiveness of achieving the appropriate anti-inflammatory response.

The Best Fish Oil for Fighting Inflammation should:

• Provide a high concentration of inflammatory-fighting omega 3 fatty acids.

• Be highly-purified with the lowest detectable levels of contaminants. This may benefit a sensitive gastrointestinal system.

• Be easily absorbed; this is especially important for someone with an impaired digestive system.

OmegaRX - Highly concentrated, omega 3 purified fish oil

There are many specially-formulated, highly-purified omega 3 fish oil supplements that can be used to counter inflammation in your body.

Many of these products have been used by many people to help them achieve an anti-inflammatory response.

When it comes to effective treatment of Crohn's disease, you may need the highest quality nutrients to ensure your body can heal itself.

Using powerful omega 3 supplements with anti-inflammatory effects may help ensure your body can function at its best while reducing inflammation.

Research References:

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