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.
