Many studies have been done to try to understand the effects of fish oil supplementation on arthritis and in particular rheumatoid arthritis. These studies have shown that fish oil supplementation help reduce morning stiffness and joint tenderness in arthritis. Studies also show that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as are found in fish oils may help people with inflammatory disorders like osteoarthritis. Not only can fish oil supplementation help reduce medication levels in arthritis but it may also help prevent arthritis.
It is important to keep a balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet to help prevent or alleviate symptoms of arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation characteristic of arthritis whereas the omega-6 fatty acids promote inflammation. Unfortunately our modern diets tend to be too heavy in Omega-6 and we do not tend to get enough Omega-3 fatty acids, one way we can help to change this and so reduce inflammation in arthritis is through the use of fish oil supplementation.
This imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the modern day diet is also considered to be a significant contributing factor to the increase of inflammatory disorders, such as arthritis in United States. Those following a Mediterranean diet with higher omega-3 levels gained from fish oils tend to have lower rates of these disorders.
Another benefit of fish oil supplementation to arthritis is that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can help to reduce inflammation as well decrease the activity of enzymes that break down cartilage, according to tests done using cartilage containing cells in a test tube.
A study in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" Vol 71, No 4, 914-920, April 2000 also showed that fish oil supplementation for three months helps to significantly reduce morning stiffness as well as tender joint count.
Extensive research has been done into the use of omega-3 fatty acids in inflammatory disorders and in particular rheumatoid arthritis. These tests have shown that omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplementation can help to reduce medication levels of people suffering from arthritis due to the decrease of inflammation and it also helps to decrease the activity of enzymes which break down cartilage. Fish oil supplementation should therefore be a part of the treatment of all patients who suffer from arthritis and a preventative measure for those who would like to avoid arthritis.
Glossary:
Omega 3 fatty acids: A group of fatty acids vital for physical and mental wellbeing including the individual fatty acids ALA, GLA and DHA.