A review and meta-analysis of 24 randomized, controlled trials concluded that fatty acids—mostly omega-3s—were of benefit in men and women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease, causes joint inflammation that can lead to pain, tenderness, stiffness, swelling and loss of function. As a systemic inflammatory disease, it can cause complications throughout the body, including potentially severe ones, as well as generalized symptoms like fatigue or occasional fever.¹

Trial participants who received fatty acids had significantly improved Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, as well as significant improvements in tender joint count and health assessment questionnaire scores compared with control participants.

“The findings of this meta-analysis demonstrate the benefits of fatty acids as complementary nonpharmacological interventions that can be used to assist in decreasing pain, improving patients' quality of life, and reducing symptoms of arthritis,” authors Bing Xu of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and colleagues concluded. “Fatty acids were shown to improve outcomes related to inflammation such as tenderness and swelling in the joints and contribute positively to the functional capacity of patients.”

Fatty acid interventions included fish oil containing the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA (including cod liver oil), borage oil containing the beneficial omega-6 fatty acid GLA, microalgae oil (a source of DHA), fish oil plus canola oils, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), omega-3 plus the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin and a fatty acid liquid that contained EPA, GLA and micronutrients.

The findings were reported July 21, 2025, in Food Science & Nutrition.²