Fish Oil for Treatment of IgA Nephropathy

It has passed many years since fish oil first came to the attention of patients with IgA Nephropathy, because fish oil has been shown in some studies to improve their chances of delaying progression of their condition. What are effects of fish oil for treatment of IgA Nephropathy? Is it really helpful?

If you are diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy and communicate with IgA Nephropathy patients, you will undoubtedly find that some are using fish oil, because it has the following benefits:

Ease proteinuria: Because IgA Nephropathy is one of most common glomerular diseases, protein easily leaks from the glomeruli and forms proteinuria. Some patients who take fish oil may coincidentally notice a reduction of protein in the urine, even though this reduction due to fish oil is mild.

Improve immunity: Fish oil is a great source of vitamin A and vitamin D, and vitamin A has a benefit of improving people’s immunity and vitamin D can help keep their normal metabolism. In view of this, eating moderate amount of fish oil can make people with IgA Nephropathy fight against their disease better.

Prevent high blood pressure: Fish oil contains many polyunsaturated fatty acids that have an effect of preventing arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure. However, if patients’ severe high blood pressure is not under control, fish oil may not be advisable.

The above benefits are based on small dose of fish oil, but in fact, large dose of fish oil may suppress the immune system to some extent. The does usually taken by patients with IgA Nephropathy is more than 3 grams per day.

Even though fish oil may have so many benefits, no exact studies can prove fish oil indeed can slow down IgAN patients’ condition. Therefore, the effective treatment that can treat their disease from the root cause should be taken.