Written based on 27 research studies on PubMed, searched on 11 Nov 2026.
The claim
Posts online say that omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) helps with rheumatoid arthritis.
Where research stands
We found 120 published papers on omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and rheumatoid arthritis in PubMed. They were published between 1976 and 2026. 25 of them are studies in people. 20 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 16 were studies in animals, and none was only in cells in the lab. 38 papers are reviews that sum up other studies. 2 new studies in people are running or will start soon, says the trial register ClinicalTrials.gov.
- 25In people20 with a comparison group
- 16In animals
- 0Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) has been tested in randomised trials in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- Role of specialized pro-resolving mediators on inflammation, cardiometabolic health, disease progression, and quality of life after omega-3 PUFA supplementation and aerobic exercise training in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized 16-week, placebo-controlled interventional trial.2023 · F1000Res · Randomised trial
- Docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study with microalgae vs. sunflower oil.2018 · Clin Nutr · Randomised trial
- The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Receiving DMARDs Therapy: Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.2015 · Glob J Health Sci · Randomised trial
- Fish oil in recent onset rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised, double-blind controlled trial within algorithm-based drug use.2015 · Ann Rheum Dis · Randomised trial
- Effect of fish oil supplements on serum paraoxonase activity in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.2012 · Arch Iran Med · Randomised trial
- omega-3 Fatty acids infusions as adjuvant therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.2010 · JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr · Randomised trial
- Fish oil supplementation decreases serum soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis.2010 · Clin Biochem · Randomised trial
- Supplementation of fish oil and olive oil in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.2005 · Nutrition · Randomised trial
- Fish oil supplementation increases the cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity of paracetamol in rheumatoid arthritis patients.2010 · Complement Ther Med · Study in people
- Reduction of cardiovascular risk factors with longterm fish oil treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis.2006 · J Rheumatol · Study in people
- Intravenous application of omega-3 fatty acids in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. The ORA-1 trial. An open pilot study.2006 · Lipids · Study in people
- Effects of omega-3 supplementation on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2024 · Clin Rheumatol · Review
- Reply to Mathieu et al. Omega 3 Fatty Acids Intake Does Not Decrease the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis Occurrence: A Meta-Analysis. Comment on "Tański et al. The Relationship between Fatty Acids and the Development, Course and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Nutrients 2022, 14, 1030".2023 · Nutrients · Review
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids Intake Does Not Decrease the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis Occurrence: A Meta-Analysis. Comment on Tański et al. The Relationship between Fatty Acids and the Development, Course and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Nutrients 2022, 14, 1030.2023 · Nutrients · Review
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Balanced Gut Microbiota on Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: A Close Look at Ulcerative Colitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis.2022 · J Med Food · Review
- An updated review of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid- and docosahexaenoic acid-derived resolvins on bone preservation.2022 · Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat · Review
- Dietary Interventions with or without Omega-3 Supplementation for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review.2021 · Nutrients · Review
- Omega-3 rich Rastrelliger kanagurta fish oil attenuates IL-6 and MMP-9 expression and preserves joint integrity in rheumatoid arthritis-induced rats.2026 · J Complement Integr Med · In animals
- In vivo immunological evaluation of indomethacin and omega-3 nanocapsules for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the temporomandibular joints of rats.2026 · Arch Oral Biol · In animals
- Dietary omega-3 fatty acids modulate the production of platelet-derived microvesicles in an in vivo inflammatory arthritis model.2024 · Eur J Nutr · In animals
- Lipid mediators obtained from docosahexaenoic acid by soybean lipoxygenase attenuate RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and rheumatoid arthritis.2024 · Biomed Pharmacother · In animals
- Docosahexaenoic acid and etanercept could reduce functional and metabolic alterations during collagen-induced arthritis in rats without any synergistic effect.2023 · Life Sci · In animals
- Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: Potential anti-inflammatory effect in a model of ovariectomy and temporomandibular joint arthritis induction in rats.2022 · Arch Oral Biol · In animals
- Exploring genetic linkage between rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus through biological networks and prioritizing omega-3 fatty acids as a potent therapeutic.2025 · Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) · Other paper
- Exploring the link between dietary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intake and rheumatoid arthritis risk: NHANES 1999-2020 study.2024 · Clin Exp Rheumatol · Other paper
- Association of circulating vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acid with all-cause mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A large population-based cohort study.2023 · Maturitas · Other paper
- Over-the-counter fish oil supplementation and pro-resolving and pro-inflammatory lipid mediators in rheumatoid arthritis.2023 · Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids · Other paper
