Omega-3s have also been well established as potent anti-inflammatories, a benefit that earned another “A” from the Mayo Clinic. Even one or two daily capsules can apparently significantly reduce systemic inflammation.
This may explain some of the more specific health benefits that omega-3 supplementation provides, such as relief of seasonal asthma (an inflammatory condition). Omega-3s have also been shown to provide some relief to the symptoms of lupus, and may reduce the severity of inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease enough to allow patients to reduce their doses of anti-inflammatory drugs or even stop taking them altogether.
The Mayo Clinic also gave a grade of “A” to studies showing that rheumatoid arthritis patients taking regular fish oil supplements experienced less stiffness and joint pain, to a degree comparable to that from over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs.