Rheumatoid arthritis, also known as RA, is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease whose etiology hasn’t been specified. It belongs to the autoimmune inflammatory disease category, featuring in chronic, symmetric, polysynovial arthritis and the external lesion of the joint as its major clinical symptoms. RA, caused by the false attack of body’s immune system towards the joints, brings about pain and swelling to the joints, and may eventually make the body fall victim to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. According to statistics from Arthritis Foundation, there are nearly 1.5 million Americans suffering from this disease and more victims are women in contrast.
The fatty acid-Omega-3 can influence cytomembrane, which makes it possible to prevent and treat diseases caused by inflammatory cells like lupus, RA and asthma. Cells, if well-protected are unlikely to become inflamed again, so taking Omega-3 can greatly decrease the onset of arthritis, asthma and lupus as well as the accompanying symptoms.
A new research says that eating fish at least twice a week can prominently reduce the pain and swelling of RA. Previously the positive effects of fish oil on the RA have been proved already, while in this research the magic effects of Omega-3 are further proved. Risk of rheumatoid arthritis can be significantly reduced with consistent supply of Omega-3 from fish intake in the long run. Some studies also show that women who take fish regularly can decrease the risk of RA by almost 29%.
Among all the participants of the study, most choose to take medicine therapy in order to reduce inflammation, improve the condition and avoid joint injury in the long run. Nearly 20% eat fish only once or none per month while 18% eat fish twice a week. The fish mentioned above refers to fish either cooked or steamed, either grilled or fresh eaten like sashimi and sushi, with shellfish and fish mixed with other vegetables excluded.
As predicted by researchers, the intake of fatty acid omega-3 is a key factor. If women keep a 0.21 gram daily intake of omega-3 for a long time, risk of RA can be reduced by 52%. A 0.21 gram daily intake equals to one intake of oil-rich fish or four intakes of lean fish like cod.
It is suggested by researchers to choose fish dishes instead of fish oil only, because the former contains other nutrients which are beneficial to the overall heath. Therefore, fish are recommended as substitute for red meat if better heath condition is to be achieved. However, it would be better to choose freshwater fish instead of sea fish as uric acid in sea fish, once absorbed into the body, can form urate crystal in joints, which will further worsen the RA condition, making it even harder to get cured. Base on relevant research findings, fishes like carp, crucian, mullet and eel are helpful in RA prevention, because they contain proteins, fat and various essential amino acids (such as cystine, histidine, glutamic acid, glycine, lysine and glycine), creatine, niacin, various vitamins and elements like calcium, phosphorus and iron. As viewed by the traditional Chinese medicine, all these fish kinds share one thing in common—the ability of invigorating spleen and removing damp. Among them eel excels at removing wind and damp as well as strengthening bones and muscles.