Overview
Arthritis is a disorder with several forms, including osteoarthritis, caused by wearing of joints from years of use or from repeated injury, and rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory autoimmune disorder. In arthritis, cartilage is eventually worn down, allowing bones in joints to touch each other and causing pain when you move the joint. Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, natural compounds that may help relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis. Consult your doctor to discuss whether taking fish oil is a good strategy for you.
Symptoms and Risk Factors
If you have arthritis, you may experience swelling and redness of one or more joints. The joint may become stiff and no longer move fully or smoothly, limiting your range of motion. You may also have pain in the point, caused by inflammation and trauma to the soft tissues in the joint. Some risk factors for arthritis include a family history of the disorder, being older, having experienced previous injury to a joint and being overweight. Consuming fish oil may help lessen your pain and slow the progression of symptoms.
Fish Oil
Certain fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, halibut, mackerel and herring, contain oil rich in compounds called omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are needed by your body, which cannot make them and must obtain them from food or supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids are important during childhood development and for brain function in people of all ages. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the inflammation that causes swelling and pain in arthritis.
Actions
Omega-3 fatty acids suppress the body's production of chemicals called cytokines that mediate the onset of inflammation. Several studies of fish oil use by human subjects have been completed in recent years. In one of these, published in the journal "Nutrition" in February 2005, subjects with rheumatoid arthritis who took fish oil experienced significant relief of pain compared to others who took a placebo. Another study, published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in January 2000, concluded that arthritis patients who took fish oil supplements were able to reduce their intake of anti-inflammatory drugs without any increase in symptoms. These are promising studies, although larger clinical trials of fish oil with arthritis are still needed.
Recommendations and Precautions
Fish oil is available from most health food stores as a supplement in capsules, standardized for the content of omega-3 fatty acid. A recommended maximum daily amount of the fatty acid is 3 grams. Fish oil supplements are generally considered safe and without major side effects, although they may cause some gas, bloating or diarrhea. Fish oil may also interact with some prescription medications, especially blood thinners or diabetes medicines, so discuss its use with your doctor before adding fish oil to your regular regimen.
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