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Benefits of fish oil for arthritis | 14th February, 2018

There are two common types of arthritis, both of which can cause joint pain, stiffness, and mobility problems. These are:
 
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): An inflammatory joint disease caused by a problem in the immune system.
Osteoarthritis (OA): A degenerative condition that affects joint cartilage and bones.
 
Cod liver oil and fish oil contain high levels of two types of omega-3 fatty acids: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). Researchers have found that EPA and DHA both reduce inflammation.
 
The role of fatty acids in reducing inflammation suggests that they may help treat RA. Researchers have also investigated whether fish oil may play a role in the treatment of OA. This research is also explored here.
 
Other conditions omega-3s may help
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, fish oil may also help in the treatment of other inflammatory conditions, including:
 
heart disease
Raynauds syndrome
lupus
Fish oil may also help reduce certain fats that are found in the bloodstream and lower a persons blood pressure. It has also been found to work well alongside anti-depressants in the treatment of depression.
 
How to use a fish oil supplement
Mackerel is one of the fishes used in fish oil
Fish oil is made from oily fish including salmon, tuna, and mackerel.
The best way to get essential omega-3s is by eating cold-water oily fish. Supplements can be taken but are not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for quality or purity.
 
Fish oil is a dietary supplement made from oily fish, including:
 
mackerel
tuna
herring
salmon
cod liver
It also contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals, including:
 
iron
calcium
vitamins B, A, and D
Fish oil is different from cod liver oil, which contains oil from pressed cod livers only. Cod liver oil contains much higher quantities of vitamins A and D than fish oil. These vitamins are usually healthful but can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
 
People taking fish oil or cod liver oil for arthritis need large amounts of it to gain enough omega-3 fatty acids for them to be beneficial. As such, fish oil is a better source of omega-3 than cod liver oil, as people can consume large doses without taking in harmful levels of vitamins A and D.
 
Fish oil supplements can be taken as:
 
capsules
pastilles
chewable tablets
liquid
For both RA and OA, the Arthritis Foundation recommends taking up to 2.6 grams, twice daily. It is important to find a version of the supplement that contains at least 30 percent of the active ingredients EPA and DHA to get the most benefit.
 

     
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