Cure Arthritis with Fish Oil
by Mabel Dugmore
Every day, patients are diagnosed with arthritis, but it is by no means a "new" condition. On the contrary, arthritis has an ancient history. Even still, despite the fact that medical professionals have spent centuries developing newer and better treatments, one arthritis remedy holds almost archaic qualities.
Fish oil is used to treat more than one hundred different types of arthritis. All forms are unique, yet most shar
e similar chronic and painful symptoms. Men, women and children suffer with swelling of the affected areas, morning stiffness, sharp and throbbing pain, localized or widespread pain and a mild to severe loss of mobility. Just as arthritis presents itself in many different forms, patients are able to benefit from a wide range of treatment options. Modern arthritis treatments vary from conventional medicinal therapies, to alternative drug-free methods including specialized yoga. Every arthritis case is unique, so each treatment method may not bring relief to every patient.
Recently, there has been an interesting shift affecting the way that doctors treat patients with arthritis. Natural medicine is becoming more mainstream and alternative treatment methods are more readily available and accepted. One particular trend that is exciting doctors and nutritionists is the use of fish oil to treat arthritis.
It's widely understood that fish oil is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two types of omega-3 fatty acids. Both are highly respected and well documented for their abilities to reduce the inflammation caused by arthritis. The strong anti-inflammatory properties in these acids make fish oil a natural choice for arthritis sufferers. And, naturally, patients have questions. Can fish oil really be considered a treatment for arthritis? If so, does it actually relieve pain?
The problem with most alternative medicine therapies is that they are relatively new, and lack sufficient medical and scientific research needed to provide definite proof. Fish oil is one of these treatments yet to be clinically proven effective. Early research findings, however, are encouraging.
Recent laboratory studies and clinical trials have suggested that because the omega-3 structure of fish oil makes it helpful in reducing the morning muscle stiffness and joint pain suffered by so many arthritis patients. Researchers have not yet determined the appropriate dosage required for maximum effectiveness, or the appropriate durations of fish oil treatment programs.
Patients should be aware of the potential side effects of taking fish oil for arthritis:
Blood Clotting
In some cases, fish oil has been shown to increase risks associated with the blood's clotting abilities. In other words, some people may find that fish oil affects the time it takes for the blood to clot. This can be an important issue in cases where the patient is already taking medications that affect the clotting of blood.
Reduced Blood Pressure
Some patients taking fish oil supplements have found that the treatment may interact with existing blood pressure medications. If you supplement your diet with fish oil while taking high blood pressure medication, it may cause a significant drop in your blood pressure.
Natural Contaminants
Fish oil may naturally contain significant yet potentially dangerous levels of contaminants. Fish contain naturally-occurring mercury, and may be a poor choice for some patients. There are serious risks associated with the consumption of the contaminants found in fish oil, particularly to young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. Shark, tuna, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish are known to contain the highest levels of mercury.
If you are considering taking fish oil supplements to treat arthritis, but you have concerns about the risks, avoid oils derived from those types of fish that are known to contain high levels of mercury. You'll need to conduct some research, but the results are worth the efforts.
Patients should be aware of other possible concerns before starting fish oil therapy for arthritis. Other side effects associated with taking the supplements, such as gas and other stomach disturbances, are usually relatively minor.
There is certainly nothing new about arthritis, but alternative treatment options are promising new relief for patients. Speak with a trusted herbalist or your family doctor to find out more about fish oil and other alternative arthritis treatments.
About the Author
Contributor Mabel Dugmore contributes to several popular Internet sites, on healthy aging and pregnancy issues.