Omega-3 is still an effective protection against recurrent gout flare ups, but only if it is consumed through fatty acid-rich fish sources. This was confirmed in the 2015 American College of Rheumatology ARHP Annual Meeting by Dr. MaryAnn Zhang of the Boston University School of Medicine, "Dietary omega-3 fatty acid from fatty fish was associated with a lower risk of recurrent gout attacks."
Among the benefits of consuming omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids through fish sources are the decrease of morning joint stiffness, decrease in joint tenderness in rheumatoid arthritis and less need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Gout management, however, advises avoidance or limitating consumption of fish that are high in purine.
Initial assessment of omega-3 fatty acid consumption from other sources did not display the same success. Dr. Zhang acknowledges that further analysis into this is needed.
"Consumption of specific sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid for gout flare up prevention warrants further study in an adequately powered clinical trial."
Dr. Zhang believes that the ratios between omega-3 and omega-6 are worth looking into considering that omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory in nature and omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory.
The study that Dr. Zhang and colleagues conducted aimed to determine the link between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids consumption and a change in the instances of gout flares. The study had 724 participants, all of whom experienced at least one instance of medically-reviewed gout flare up in the previous year.
The participants were observed for a year with reviews by the researchers every three months through a questionnaire to record the 24 to 48-hour period preceding any gout flare ups. The study allowed for extraneous factors as diet, supplements, over-the-counter medications, alcohol intake, purine consumption and urate relief or flare prophylactic drugs.
Omega-3-rich fatty fish consumption proved protective against gout flare ups. Other food with equal levels of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids ratio were deemed to have no effect on gout flare ups. Meanwhile, food that have low omega-3-to-omega-6 fatty acid ratio were observed to increase the risk of gout flare ups.
Dr. Zhang qualifies, "Dosing of omega-3 fatty acid sources was not known and there may have been insufficient exposure distribution."
These findings are encouraging in confirming at least a definite source of relief for the discomfort and debilitation caused by gout flare ups.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that gout prevalence among US adults in 2007-2008 reached 3.9% or 8.3 million individuals. This was a jump of 1.2 percent from the previous 20 years.
Consequences to this health condition range from mild to severe so that a person's activities and livelihood may be highly impacted.
Among the more familiar stories of gout cases is that of 'Fight Club' star and 'Suicide Squad's' The Joker Jared Leto, who developed gout after a quick weight gain for his work in the biopic 'Chapter 27'. The 30 Seconds To Mars singer portrayed the role of John Lennon's assassin Mark David Chapman. Jared had to be wheeled around and could not walk long distances because of the pain that resulted from his condition. Jared was practically unrecognisable during this time. Weight loss and return to more healthy habits helped Jared recover.