Dosage Needed for Fish Oil Benefits for Osteoarthritis

Dosage Needed for Fish Oil Benefits for Osteoarthritis

Overview

Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that occurs when cartilage, a rubbery material that cushions the joints, wears away allowing the bones to rub together. As a result, people with this condition experience painful, stiff and swollen joints. There is no cure for osteoarthritis but anti-inflammatory medicines help reduce symptoms. If you suffer from this condition, you can help yourself by losing excess weight and taking plenty of exercise such as walking and swimming to help improve joint mobility. Fish oil might also help to alleviate symptoms, although evidence to prove this is limited. Get medical advice before taking a fish oil supplement.

Properties and Potential Benefits

Fish oil is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, known as omega-3 fatty acids that might play a role in the treatment of several medical conditions, including cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease and ulcerative colitis, according to MedlinePlus. It may also be beneficial for individuals with arthritis, including osteoarthritis, and may work by helping to reduce pain and swelling.

Dosage

You can get fish oil by eating fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, herring and trout. However, for convenience and accurate dosing, it is also available as a dietary supplement in capsules or as a liquid. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that taking either one or two capsules, or 1 tbsp. of fish oil daily, may help to reduce inflammation in individuals with osteoarthritis. This is only intended as a guideline. Check with your health care provider whether or not this dose is suitable for you.

Effectiveness

Clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of fish oil as a treatment for osteoarthritis are lacking. However, the results of a laboratory-based study published in the August 2002 issue of "The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society" show that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil help to reduce the degradation and inflammation of cartilage cells. The authors conclude that omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce inflammation associated with degenerative joint diseases. Clinical studies are needed to confirm these effects in people with osteoarthritis.

Safety Considerations

Taking up to 3 g of fish oil daily is likely safe, according to MedlinePlus. However, it may cause side effects including belching, heartburn and loose stools. Although fish oil supplements are freely available in most pharmacies and health food stores, they are not suitable for everyone. For example, fish oil is contraindicated in a number of conditions including liver disease, HIV and schizophrenia. It might also interact with other medicines including blood pressure medicines and the weight loss drug, orlistat.

source : livestrong.com