TITLE:
Combined Add-on Supplementation of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Copper, and Selenium in Rheumatoid Arthritis
AUTHORS:
Janina Willers, Sabine Fasse, Nils Putschky, Henning Zeidler, Hans-Georg Pott, Michael Bernateck, Winfried Demary, Reinhard Hein, Vu Vi Pham, Rainer Stange, Bernhard Uehleke, Heike Franziska Weidemann, Guido Hoese, Ralf Lichtinghagen, Andreas Hahn
KEYWORDS:
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Nutrition, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Antioxidants, Lipid Profil
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.2 No.7,
September
20,
2011
ABSTRACT: Objectives: The present study evaluated the effects of a combined nutritional supplement, containing omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) and different antioxidative micronutrients on nutrient status and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: The study was conducted as a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial. A hundred patients with defined RA were allocated to the verum or placebo group. During a period of twelve weeks they were given three capsules of their specific study supplementation every day. The daily dosage of ω-3 FA was 1.35 g (thereof 900 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA), 90 mg vitamin E, 600 μg vitamin A, 3 mg copper, and 75 μg selenium, or soy oil (placebo), respectively. Outcome variables were the changes in DAS 28, the number of tender and swollen joints, morning stiffness, and supply with different nutrients (e.g. serum concentration of EPA, AA and vitamin E), as well as blood lipid levels. Results: Sixty-four participants were included in this analysis: 30 receiving verum and 34 placebo. After twelve weeks of intervention, little but not significant improvements were observed in the DAS 28 and other clinical factors. Subgroup analysis revealed that the effect was much more pronounced in patients who were at least at a moderate activity of illness. Regarding the nutritional status, the serum concentration of EPA (P