Omega 3 + NSAIDs = ???

Discussing the different types of NSAIDs in the articles reviewed on Monday, I was wondering why is there  any other form of alternative medications, that help assist witht have the GI or Heart Failure that appears to be attached. I researched this and stumbled upon Anti-Inflammatory natural essential fatty acids Omega-3 and omega-6. Since our bodies don’t produce these fatty acids, they are obtain through or diet or supplementation. There are two essential omega-3 fatty acids, (eicosapentaenoic acid, called EPA and docosahexaenoic or DHA), that the body needs. To learn more about omega threes these websites were very useful to me http://www.jomo.com/program-omega3-and-bone-joint-health.html and http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm .

Joel M Kremer of the American Journal of Clinical Nutritional, find that taking Omega 3s after about a 12 week period of time could help patients with rheumatoid arthritis (http://www.ajcn.org/content/71/1/349S.full) and the study title is (n-3 Fatty acid supplements in rheumatoid arthritis). He found that when patients were on Omega 3s or n-3 fatty acids, it has been shown consistently to reduce both the number of “tender joints on physical examination and the amount of morning stiffness” in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In his method of research, the omega 3 supplements were taken daily with other prescribed medications. After about 12 weeks the benefits of omega threes became apparent, and appeared that a minimum of 3 g eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids a day “is necessary to derive the expected benefits.” What was cool is that these doses of omega-3 fatty acids are linked to reductions of leukotriene B₄ (neutrophils) and interleukin 1 (Monocytes), instead of inhibiting the the enzyme COX. Besides COX, these are other inflammatory mediators are thought to cause and progress most cases of RA. Through his references, there were several investigators observed that rheumatoid arthritis patients consuming omega-3 dietary supplements were able to lower or discontinue their background doses of NSAIDs or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

All in all, this study wasn't really confirmatory or definitive to settling the issue of substituting medications, this is because the methods here variable and exclusive to RA patients. I just find it crazy that not only do omega-3 fatty acids have virtually no reported overdosage/serious toxicity they are very well tolerated when used to treat RA patients. Therefore (as the study concluded) the dietary supplement should not replace NSAIDs totally, but is highly recommended to be added to any diet. On the other hand, Kremer says “After taking n-3 fatty acid dietary supplements for 3–4 mo, patients may try reducing their NSAIDs dose under the supervision of a physician.” My follow up question would be why is it only patients with rheumatoid arthritis being studied here? Also, do you think they can create some supernatural anti-inflammatory medication with both NSAIDs and these forms of natural remedies?