Disease Some people diagnosed with Crohn disease turn to alternative remedies for relief. Many turn to omega-3 free fatty acids, known for their ability to relieve the symptoms of other inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Crohn disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that involves the large and small intestines.

Crohn disease is often treated with immunosuppressant drugs but these drugs increase the risk of infection. Omega-3 free fatty acids are derived from marine animals and are known to be beneficial to health in several ways, including as an anti-inflammatory agent.

However, Brian G. Feagan, MD, of the Robarts Research Institute at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, and his colleagues around the globe found repeated evidence that taking omega-3 free fatty acids for Crohn disease is no more effective than taking a placebo.

Using high doses (4 grams a day) of omega-3 free fatty acids as a means of maintenance for patients in remission from Crohn disease, Feagan’s research took place in 98 separate facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Israel. The series of two studies were dubbed Epanova Program in Crohn’s Study 1 and 2 (EPIC-1 and EPIC-2). Patients receiving the omega-3 were randomly selected while other study participants took a placebo. All study participants were followed for as long as 58 weeks.

Of the 363 participants in EPIC-1, 188 received omega-3. A relapse of symptoms was recorded for 54 patients taking the omega 3 and 62 patients taking placebos.

Of the 375 participants in EPIC-2, 189 of them received omega-3. Relapses occurred in 84 patients receiving omega-3 and in 94 patients receiving the placebo.

All in all, 47.8% of the patients receiving the omega-3 free fatty acids experienced a relapse within 360 days of beginning treatment while 48.8% of the patients receiving the placebo did so.

Adverse effects identified during the trials were rare, with most of them related to the disease itself.

The findings of the EPIC trials are consistent with other studies of similar nature, leading the research team to urge Crohn’s patients to seek clinically proven medications for their symptoms instead of relying on alternative treatment options such as omega-3 free fatty acids supplements.

The April 9 issue of JAMA carries the full details.