Effect of an enteric-coated fish-oil preparation on relapses in Crohn's disease

Article Abstract:

Enteric-coated fish oil capsules may be beneficial in the treatment of Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease. Thirty-nine people in remission from Crohn's disease took three enteric-coated capsules containing 500 milligrams of fish oil three times a day and 39 took a placebo. They were examined at the beginning of the study and again at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Twenty-eight percent of those taking fish oil had a relapse, compared to 69% of those taking a placebo. At 12 months, 59% of those taking fish oil were still in remission, compared to 26% of those taking a placebo. Blood tests revealed a significant drop in chemicals involved in inflammatory processes in the people taking fish oil. Analysis of red blood cells from patients in remission indicated that the fatty acids in the fish oil had been incorporated into the red cell membranes. Four of those taking fish oil dropped out of the study because of diarrhea.

Diet therapy, Crohn's disease, Enteric-coated tablets, Enteric coated tablets

---

Psoriasis therapy - observational or rational?

Article Abstract:

Psoriasis is a skin disease that affects approximately three million people in the US. It is characterized by outbreaks of lesions on the elbows, knees and scalp that can expand and cover the whole body. What causes psoriasis is unknown, but it appears to be mediated by genetic, autoimmune and inflammatory processes. There are three types of treatment for psoriasis: topically applied drugs such as corticosteroids, exposure to ultraviolet light and orally administered drugs such as methotrexate. The potential for serious side effects exists with each type, and annual costs range from $1,400 to $2,600. Previous studies suggested that n-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oils, could improve psoriasis. However, a 1993 study found that dietary supplementation with fish oil raised blood levels of n-3 fatty acids but was no more effective than corn oil in treating psoriasis.

Care and treatment, Editorial

---

Effect of dietary supplementation with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids in patients with psoriasis

Article Abstract:

Dietary supplementation with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids does not appear to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis. Very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids are found primarily in seal and fish oils and are thought to have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular and immune systems. Psoriasis is an immune-related skin disease that affects about 2% of the population in Western nations. Of 124 patients with psoriasis, 62 took six capsules of fish oil every day and 62 took six capsules of corn oil every day. There was no significant difference between groups in the severity or area of the psoriasis before supplementation started. Furthermore, there were still no significant differences between groups in severity or area of the disease after four months of supplementation.

Drug therapy

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Effect of deprenyl on the progression of disability in early Parkinson's disease. Effects of tocopherol and deprenyl on the progression of disability in early Parkinson's disease
• Abstracts: Effects of nutritional counseling on lipoprotein levels in a pediatric lipid clinic. Assessment of girls' genital findings and the likelihood of sexual abuse
• Abstracts: Postinfarction risk stratification: is preventive war winnable? Risk of myocardial infarction in patients with psoriasis
• Abstracts: Impact of iron deficiency on cognition in infancy and childhood. Early linear growth retardation and later blood pressure
• Abstracts: Cognitive function, iron status, and hemoglobin concentration in obese dieting women. Chronic iron intake and diarrhoeal disease in infants. A field study in a less-developed country

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.