How Fish Oil Eases the Pain of Arthritis

Since man has walked the earth, he has complained of stiff, achy joints. It seems that arthritis is just a fact of life for millions of people all around the world. How many of us greet each new day with stiff and painful joints? Too many. Arthritis is so widespread and common that weíve begun to associate it with getting older.

There are over a hundred forms of arthritis. Luckily, there are also plenty of options for treating arthritis symptoms. Prescription drugs and low-impact exercises, such as yoga, are popular therapies. However, those treatments arenít right for everyone. Each patient should work with their doctor to find a regimen that suits their situation.

More and more patients and doctors are seeing the benefits of alternative therapies. Coupled with traditional treatment plans, alternative and natural therapies can be powerful weapons against arthritis pain. One popular remedy is fish oil. Itís lauded for its content of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids have long been thought to promote heart health.

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are also thought to reduce inflammation in joints. Some consider them to be potent anti-inflammatory that removes the need for conventional drug therapy. But how powerful is fish oil, really? Is it the new cure for arthritis pain, or just a flash in the pan?

Can Fish Oil Relieve Arthritis Pain?

Itís unfortunate that alternative therapies donít have a wealth of studies and evidence to prove their efficacy. Most of the evidence for fish oil is anecdotal. That is, patients and doctors swear that it works for them. But there has also been a group of studies that put fish oil to the test. The results? Fish oilís omega-3 fatty acids do bring relief from the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Further studies will need to be done to determine how much fish oil a patient should consume, and for how long.

Unlike many natural therapies, fish oil has been linked to certain side-effects and drug interactions. It seems to affect the bloodís ability to clot. People who are taking blood thinners or other blood-affecting medications should talk to their doctor about possible drug interactions before adding fish oil to their diet. Also, fish oil can drop blood pressure to dangerously low levels in patients who take blood pressure medicine. To be on the safe side, ask your doctor before you start taking any supplement ñ particularly if youíre taking other medications.

Fish oil is also a tad risky in that it might contain contaminants. You might have heard all the hype about fish containing dangerous levels of mercury. Certain types of fish contain more mercury than others. The fish that contain the most mercury are tuna, swordfish, king mackerel, and shark. Try to limit your consumption of these fish, and look for other types of fish which are considered to be low-mercury. A little research on the Internet or a call to the fishís manufacturer can get you the information you need about mercury levels.

Besides these concerns, fish oil is relatively risk free. If taken in larger than recommended quantities, it might cause minor bloating, gas, or diarrhea.

Daniel Bones is a Fish Oil aficionado. Visit his premium site on the benefits of fish oil for free information telling you exactly how the Omega 3 in Fish oil can help you.