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In recent years fish oil has been widely used as an adjuvant treatment for IgA nephropathy. Fish oil can protect and improve kidney functions by inhibiting inflammation, reducing proliferation of mesangial cells, improving blood circulation, lowering high blood pressure and high blood lipid, inhibiting calcification in the kidneys, reducing proteinuria, etc.
The main active components of fish oil is omega-3 fatty acids which can reduce inflammatory factors so as to alleviate renal inflammations and slow down its progression into renal failure.
Fish oil can help lower high blood pressure and high blood lipid which are not only symptoms but also risk factors that can worsen IgA nephropathy. Well control of blood pressure and blood lipid can reduce proteinuria, slow illness progression and protect heart functions.
In word, fish oil is good for IgA nephropathy. Long term supplement of fish oil has significant effects on protecting kidney functions and slowing down its progression into end stage renal failure.
However not every IgA nephropathy patients can have fish oil because it can cause some side effects. If you have one of the following conditions, it is recommended that you should ask for a doctor or dietitian before adding any fish oil to your treatment plan.
Though fish oil is harmless to the body, it might have adverse reactions with the following medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, over-the-counter drugs, immunosuppressive agents, etc. Therefore you should consult a nephrologist if you are taking these drugs.
For women patients that are pregnancy, it is better that they avoid fish oil during the periods of pregnancy and delivery because taking fish oil can increase of difficulty of delivery and cause increased loss of blood in delivery.
It can not be denied that fish oil is effective at treating symptoms of IgA nephropathy, slowing illness progression and protecting kidney functions. But a nephrologist and dietitian should be consulted for both the safety and effectiveness.
