Experts believe that eating at least one part of oily fish such as salmon or mackerel can cut the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Benefit of fishy diet
The findings come from a study published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases of over 32,000 Swedish Women and they provide another reason to follow the established dietary advice of regularly eating fish for good health.
Researchers say a fishy diet is beneficial because it is rich in omega-3. Omega-3 is said to protect both the heart and the brain. It shows to be a good anti-inflammatory agent, which would explain how it might fight arthritis, say researchers.
‘Fish oils prevent inflammation’
In the study, which was conducted over a decade, women who regularly ate any type of fish at least once per week reduced their risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by almost a third.
For those who ate at least one part of oily fish or four servings of other fish a week cut their risk into half.
The study didn’t examine the possibility on fish oil supplements, but experts say these may also be helpful.
Prof. Alan Silma, medical director of Arthritis Research in UK, said the study shows that taking high levels of fish oils can prevent inflammation from starting in the joint.