Gout is a centuries-old disease that was frequently associated with overindulgences only a king could afford: food and wine. Now, it’s a common man’s disease linked strongly to obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Because of uric acid build-up in the body, urate crystals deposit in the joints, causing gout. A hallmark sign is intense inflammation, typically in the big toe. A group of researchers recently proposed a novel approach to gout management in the April 2016 issue ofAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases. They hypothesized that omega-3 fatty acids may prevent acute gout attacks through their anti-inflammatory effects.
The study assessed 112 men, and the researchers established 2 arms. Participants who reported more than 2 acute gout attacks in the past year had lower omega-3 fatty acid levels. This suggests that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could potentially help decrease the risk of gout attacks. The authors acknowledged that more study is needed to confirm the association. Still, their results raised an interesting potential therapy supplementation for effective gout management.