Did You Know?

Omega 3 fatty acids have the capabilities of preventing many painful and debilitating conditions.

Fish Oil for Arthritis

The Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil have a profound impact on the body's production of a hormone known as prostaglandin. Prostaglandin is the hormone that increases bodily inflammation and blood clotting. Because of its ability to thin the blood and reduce swelling within the joints, skin, and other tissue found on the body, researchers are discovering that Omega 3 fatty acids have the capabilities of preventing many painful and debilitating conditions.

Omega 6 fatty acids mainly come from leafy, green vegetables and collect in the body to help the production of prostaglandin. Omega 3 fatty acids have the ability to counteract the Omega 6 fatty acids and while still allowing some prostaglandin to be created, it limits it keeping the body from feeling the pain of inflammation. In essence, Omega 3 fatty acids work very similarly to the pain reliever Advil to stop swelling and pain for hours.

There are several forms of arthritis:

Anklosing Spondylitis (a chronic form of arthritis that is present in the spine and can lead to a fusing of the spinal discs)
Gout (Metabolic Arthritis—Uric acid builds up in the joints)
Juvenile Arthritis (Rheumatoid Arthritis in children)
Osteoarthritis (Inflammation in the joints due to a wearing of cartilage)
Psoriatic Arthritis (Only affects those with psoriasis and can hit joints, the spine, the neck, hands, feet, or joints in the foot and hands)
Reactive Arthritis (Inflammatory Arthritis that is triggered by an infection within the body)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (Inflammation caused when the immune system attacks the tissue in the joints)
Septic Arthritis (Inflammation caused by a virus or bacteria entering into the joints)
Still's Disease (Juvenile Arthritis accompanied by high fevers, rashes, and flu symptoms)

Studies Show that Fish Oil Can Help Arthritis

All forms of arthritis tie closely to inflammation and sometimes an infection. Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil have the stunning ability to not only reduce or block inflammation, but they also have some antibacterial properties that can help with forms of arthritis revolving around infections. This is wonderful news for those who suffer from the painful effects of arthritis.

Currently, research has been focused on the use of Omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil with Rheumatoid Arthritis. A study performed by doctors from Epsom General Hospital and the University of Glasgow, has shown that the acids found in fish oils (EPA and DHA) can significantly lower chemicals within the body that release the substance that attacks the tissue in the joints causing the pain and stiffness. With the study, it took over eight weeks for the changes to be noted, but at the fifteen week mark many in the study group found that the morning stiffness and joint pain they had experienced was either eliminated or greatly improved.

Current recommendations are to take two to three grams of fish oil per day. Research has proven that a human can take up to five grams of Omega 3 fatty acids per day without any ill effects, so those with arthritis should not have any trouble with the smaller two to three gram dose.