The Pros and Cons of Fish Oils as a Remedy for Arthritis

For hundreds of years, arthritis has been plaguing generations upon generations of people all over the world. More than 100 types of disease have so far been identified and many of these types are manifested by very similar symptoms including joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, and the person's incapability to perform otherwise simple physical tasks.

Each type of arthritis necessitates a unique combination of treatment methods. So many of these treatment methods have been developed over the years, from the traditional medications and herbal supplements to more modern innovations such as hydrotherapy and Pilates.

In recent years, the general public has shown a lot of interest in the natural options in treating arthritis. This is probably due to the lower risk of side effects and cheaper cost of these natural options. Among the latest trends in natural arthritis treatments is the omega-3 fatty acids found in most fish oils. There are actually two types of omega-3 fatty acids ñ eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

These two acids have been the focus of several studies and have been found very effective in bringing down swelling. For this reason, many health experts believe that omega-3 fatty acids have the potential of being one of the best cures for arthritis. However, as with any other new treatment, many people are skeptical as to the efficacy of this new remedy.

Is Fish Oil Really Effective in Easing Arthritis Pain?

These doubting Thomases actually have good reason to be cynical, as the effects of fish oils on arthritis patients have never been officially proven. However, many health experts are confident that this remedy will be approved by the health department as a certified treatment option for arthritis. In fact, several studies are already being conducted to test the medical worth of these oils. So far, there is no word as to the recommended dosage or the length of treatment necessary for fish oils to be an effective cure to most symptoms of arthritis. The official verdict will come out once the health experts are able to draw conclusions from their studies.

In the course of their research though, some potentially dangerous properties of fish oils have been discovered. The most remarkable is that fish oils were found to have blood-thickening properties. Consuming significant amounts of fish oil can actually make your blood clot much faster than normal. This can be risky especially for arthritis patients who have high blood pressure issues. In addition, consuming fish oils while a patient is also on drugs that affect blood circulation can lead to disastrous results.

Another dangerous property of most fish oils is their extremely high mercury content. Mercury has been established as a poisonous substance when ingested especially in considerable amounts. Furthermore, mercury should never be consumed by pregnant or lactating women, as well as children. Not all fish oils are abundant in mercury, though. There are several types of fish that are low in mercury but still high in omega-3 fatty acids, and the oils of these fishes will probably be the most effective and safest type.

The benefits of fish oils far outweigh the negative points, so health professionals are hopeful that fish oils will soon be in the market as one of the most promising cures to arthritis.

Daniel Bones is a Fish Oil aficionado. Visit his premium site on the benefits of fish oil for more on how the Omega 3 in Fish oil can help with ailmens such as arthritis, depression, and diabetes.