Do fatty acids protect against knee osteoarthritis? Study says no.
A June 2024 study suggests that although n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids may reduce inflammation, different n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids have different effects on inflammation and clinical outcomes, with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) having the strongest effect, there is a question as to how much impact, good or bad, specific essential fatty acid levels have on the development of osteoarthritis.
A multi-university study lead by Boston University studied 363 cases with incident symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and 295 with incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis. Results for other osteoarthritis outcomes also failed to suggest a protective effect of specific n-3 fatty acids with osteoarthritis outcomes.
Felson DT, Misra D, LaValley M, Clancy M, Rabasa G, Lichtenstein A, Matthan N, Torner J, Lewis CE, Nevitt MC, MOST Study Investigators. Essential Fatty Acids and Osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care & Research. 2024 Jun;76(6):796-801.