Arthritis, Wound Healing and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

A study published in The Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases and conducted at Duke Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, found that mice who consumed higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids had less arthritic joints and better wound healing than mice whose diets were higher in omega-6 or saturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids are found primarily in animal fats. Omega-6 fats are found in vegetable oils, such as corn oil, soybean oil, nuts and seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids are typically found in fatty fish. Many nuts and seeds contain a mixture of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. An interesting side note to this study was that obesity, while usually associated with arthritis, did not seem to make a difference when a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids was consumed. This adds to the notion that it makes an even bigger difference for your health what you eat. While mice aren't people, plenty of studies in humans have shown omega-3 fatty acids to be helpful for arthritic conditions.