Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that is closely related to rheumatoid arthritis. It mainly affects the joints of your spine. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are also at risk of cardiovascular disease. The most effective treatment of the condition involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). However, since this class of drugs is commonly contraindicated for patients with cardiovascular disease, there is a growing interest in food as a way of improving the condition’s symptoms.
Sources of Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Treat Ankylosing Spondylitis
Patients with symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis may benefit from foods rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Seafood is currently the richest known source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, although some oilseed crops also have it in trace amounts. These include foods like:
- Fatty fish
- Fish oils
- Prawns
- Lobster
- Canola seeds
- Linseed
Although your body needs different kinds of fats to grow and function properly, you can’t naturally produce short-chain omega-3 on your own. As a result, you can’t convert them into long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. That’s why consuming seafood is a great diet recommendation for people living with ankylosing spondylitis.
