Fish Oil and IgA Nephropathy

Fish oil is believed beneficial to alleviate IgA Nephropathy for its rich omega-3.

Omega-3

Omega-3 fish oil provides essential fatty acids that cannot be made by our bodies but must be supplied by our diet. These include linoleic and linolenic acids, which are found in black currant, borage, primrose and flax oils as well as fish, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexanenoic acid).

Is Omega-3 really useful in IgA Nephropathy?

The strongest piece of evidence that fish oil is useful in the treatment of IgA Nephropathy comes from the Mayo Clinic-initiated study published in the NEJM in 1994 by Donadio et al. Briefly, this study looked at over 100 patients with IgA Nephropathy and persistent proteinuria, randomizing patients to receive either fish oil or an olive-oil placebo. Over a period of two years, only 6% of patients in the fish oil group displayed an increase of 50% or more in the serum creatinine, whereas 33% of those in the placebo-treated group suffered an increase of 50% or more in the serum creatinine. Subsequent long-term follow-up studies seem to support a permanent benefit in the fish-oil group.

Where do you get fish oil?

Fish oil is available at most health food stores, most pharmacies, and even at big box discount supermarkets. Pay attention to the "best before" or the expiry date when you buy it, as fish oil can become rancid. Also, be aware that most fish oil comes from fish that are harvested in fish farms. Some products on the market claim to be from "wild fish". Whichever you buy, you should not buy any product that does not specifically list the amount of EPA and DHA it contains.