Fish Oil Supplements Won't Help in Multiple Sclerosis: Study - US News and World Report
Fish Oil Supplements Won't Help in Multiple Sclerosis: Study
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- Omega-3 fatty acid supplements don't appear to have any benefit on multiple sclerosis (MS), according a study by Norwegian researchers.
Multiple sclerosis affects about 2.5 million people worldwide. Some prior research has indicated that omega-3 fatty acid supplements might have anti-inflammatory effects that could benefit those with the disease, according to background information in the study.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish, such as salmon, and in fish oil supplements.
-neither given alone nor in combination with interferon treatment,"
said lead researcher Dr. Oivind Torkildsen, from Haukeland University Hospital, in Bergen.
"Our data do not suggest that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was harmful or that it interfered with interferon beta treatment," he added.
This study is important, not only for neurologists and MS patients, but also for general practitioners, who frequently advise patients about lifestyle interventions and complementary approaches to MS treatment, Torkildsen said.
The report was published in the April 16 online edition of the Archives of Neurology.
After six months, all patients were given interferon beta-1a three times a week for an additional 18 months.
When the patients underwent MRI brain scans to look for new lesions, the researchers found no effect on the disease among those taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
The results were the same whether omega-3 fatty acid supplements were used alone or in combination with interferon beta-1a, the study authors noted.
No difference existed between the groups in the number of relapses during the first six months of treatment or after 24 months, and there were no differences in fatigue or quality of life, according to the results.
Blogger Response: My question would then be - Why does one negative study out weigh two positive studies with similar size and methodology?
More information
For more information on MS, visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Fish Oil Supplements Won't Help in Multiple Sclerosis: Study
But, supplements aren't harmful and can benefit heart health, one expert says
April 16, 2012 RSS Feed PrintHealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- Omega-3 fatty acid supplements don't appear to have any benefit on multiple sclerosis (MS), according a study by Norwegian researchers.
Multiple sclerosis affects about 2.5 million people worldwide. Some prior research has indicated that omega-3 fatty acid supplements might have anti-inflammatory effects that could benefit those with the disease, according to background information in the study.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish, such as salmon, and in fish oil supplements.
"Our study provides evidence that omega-3 supplementation
-has no beneficial effect on MS, -neither given alone nor in combination with interferon treatment,"
said lead researcher Dr. Oivind Torkildsen, from Haukeland University Hospital, in Bergen.
"Our data do not suggest that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was harmful or that it interfered with interferon beta treatment," he added.
This study is important, not only for neurologists and MS patients, but also for general practitioners, who frequently advise patients about lifestyle interventions and complementary approaches to MS treatment, Torkildsen said.
The report was published in the April 16 online edition of the Archives of Neurology.
After six months, all patients were given interferon beta-1a three times a week for an additional 18 months.
When the patients underwent MRI brain scans to look for new lesions, the researchers found no effect on the disease among those taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
The results were the same whether omega-3 fatty acid supplements were used alone or in combination with interferon beta-1a, the study authors noted.
These findings were in contrast with two other studies that showed possible positive effects from fish oil supplements, Torkildsen and colleagues pointed out.
No difference existed between the groups in the number of relapses during the first six months of treatment or after 24 months, and there were no differences in fatigue or quality of life, according to the results.
Blogger Response: My question would then be - Why does one negative study out weigh two positive studies with similar size and methodology?
"Inconclusive" seems like a more accurate be conclusion?
For more information on MS, visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment