Fish Oil Research and Inflamation

Fish Oil and Inflammation

• 38 dogs with osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to one of two diets: a) a commercial dog food diet or b) a dog food enriched with 3.5% fish oil for 90 days. Several key benefits were noted in the dogs receiving the omega-3 dog food: an improvement in “peak vertical force” and weight bearing, and a decline in lameness. (1)


• A separate experiment published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association tested the effect of a dog food that was high in fish oil (omega-3 fats) and low in omega-6 fatty acids in a larger group of osteoarthritic dogs (127 in total). Half of the canines were fed a conventional dog food and the remainder received the experimental food for 6 months. Symptomatic changes were noted by the pet owners and via blood testing and medical exams. An increase in plasma omega-3’s and a reduction in omega-6 fatty acids were noted in the experimental group. The owners of the dogs receiving fish oil reported greater displays of strength, as assessed by “rise from a resting position and play” and improvements in walking ability. (2)


• New evidence contained in the February 2010 issue of Biochemical Pharmacology finds that a combination of curcumin, an extract from turmeric, and fish oil may provide a potent and synergistic anti-inflammatory punch. Even “very low dosages” of curcumin and DHA/EPA were capable of suppressing a variety of inflammatory markers in a laboratory setting. There were also signs of antioxidant activity, most likely due to the inclusion of curcumin. Both of these substances are well known to bring about anti-inflammatory effects. What’s new here is the possibility of an additive effect when both substances are taken together. (3)

Sources :

(1) Journal of the American Veterinary Medical AssociationJanuary 1, 2010, Vol. 236, No. 1, Pages 67-73doi: 10.2460/javma.236.1.67 Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis

(2) Journal of the American Veterinary Medical AssociationJanuary 1, 2010, Vol. 236, No. 1, Pages 59-66doi: 10.2460/javma.236.1.59 Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs

(3) Biochemical PharmacologyVolume 79, Issue 3, 1 February 2010, Pages 421-430 Synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of low doses of curcumin in combination with polyunsaturated fatty acids: Docosahexaenoic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid

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