Tormod Bjørkkjær

Marine Mammal Oils in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Psoriatic Arthritis: Phd Thesis with Focus on the Effect of Seal Oil and Whale Oil on Joint Pain Tormod Bjørkkjær

Since the initial studies on Greenland Eskimos, who ate mainly traditional foods like blubber and meat, research has focused on fish oils and their high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The use of seal oil and particularly whale oil, both blubber oils, is scarce in comparison to fish oils. Western diets are rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may promote inflammation. The present book includes a comprehensive thesis on the effect of marine mammal oil administration in patients suffering inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psoriatic arthritis. The 4 pilot studies suggest joint pain ameliorating effects. In a rat model of experimental IBD, seal oil did not protect against bowel inflammation. Finally, a method for improved quantification of prostaglandin E2 in plasma is proposed. Four different seal oils including one crude oil were used and the thesis includes analytical data. The book is of interest for governmental authorities, as well as scientific, commercial and health-focused readers.