Does Fish Oil Help Your Joints?
Fish oil is one of the most commonly used and most effective supplements for joint health. It is a popular relief for joint pain, as it contains a large amount of Omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. Arthritis is a form of joint inflammation and taking fish oil can greatly help in easing pain as well as supporting healthy joints. Therefore, taking fish oil for joints may just be the answer to reducing joint pain.
What is Fish Oil?
Fish oil is a natural extract from certain kinds of cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, and cod liver. It is a rich dietary source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which bring about a number of health benefits, with joint health being one of them. It is essential for cell growth and muscle activity, but its most popular health benefit is definitely its anti-inflammation properties. Because of this, fish oil has been known to reduce risks for heart attacks, lower blood pressure, and can even reduce levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
Fish oil can be found in pill form, capsule form, or even as a liquid drink. It is a natural dietary supplement and it's generally safe to take. However, taking fish oil does result in certain side effects for some people, such as: bad breath, a fishy aftertaste, rashes, nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, and upset stomach.
Taking high doses of fish oil can also increase your risk of bleeding and can potentially increase the risk of stroke. It is important that you follow the proper dosage religiously when you start taking fish oil supplements.
How Fish Oil Helps with Joint Health
Fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids that play a key role in restoring joint tissue and promoting joint lubrication. This can help ease joint pain, and reduce the development of arthritis when you don't have it.
Omega-3 fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory properties that are useful in providing pain relief of many of the body's joints. There are two kinds of Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, which are EPA and DHA.
EPA is short for eicosapentaenoic acid, while DHA is short for docosahexaenoic acid. Both types of Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in the body's joints while improving the lubrication. They also limit the production of negative proteins that inhibit specific kinds of arthritis. In other words, these Omega-3 fatty acids are an effective solution for the prevention of joint problems.
Arthritis and Fish Oil
Arthritis comes from two Greek words: "arthro," which means joint, and "itis," which means inflammation. Therefore, arthritis is a condition that involves the inflammation of joints. There are over 100 kinds of arthritis and all of them affect the joints, making fish oil essential for the prevention of arthritis by way of reducing inflammation.
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which attacks the cartilage in and around the joint. This condition greatly affects older people as it is mainly caused by wear and tear. Joints become warm and swollen and sometimes the skin around the joints turn red. It is a painful condition that can be relieved by over-the-counter medication. However, for anyone who's looking for a more natural and safer alternative, fish oil is the next best thing to pain medication for joint pain. Fish oil gets to the root of the problem, rather than offering temporary relief, making it a safer and more efficient aid for joint health.
Fish oil is ideal for those who are only suffering from mild joint pain. When the pain becomes severe or unbearable, fish oil may not be enough to fix the problem. Fish oil is a long-term solution and should not be relied upon for acute and severe joint pain. You can take fish oil together with pain medication or other joint vitamins, to supplement the effects of pain relief. Exercise and a proper diet are also needed to promote joint health.
How to Take Fish Oil
You can buy fish oil at any pharmacy or supplement store. If you buy the oil or capsule form, you need to take two tablets of fish oil per day or two dosages of 2.7 grams of fish oil. If you're buying the supplement in liquid form, then 3 to 6 ounces of fish oil, consumed two to 4 times per week will help to reduce joint inflammation.
Factors to Consider When Buying Fish Oil for Joint Health
Not all fish oil is made equal. Because supplements are not regulated by the FDA, consumers must be discerning when it comes to choosing the fish oil supplement they wish to take.
Here are some factors to consider when buying a fish oil supplement for joint health:
1.Make sure it contains EPA and DHA.
Any fish oil supplement must contain at least 30% EPA and DHA for joint health efficiency.
2.Make sure it is fresh.
Fish oil can turn rancid and emit a foul smell when it's been on the shelf for too long. Not only do they smell bad, but they can also even be harmful. Try to smell the product, especially if it's in liquid form.
3.Check for purity and authenticity.
Look for the GOED standard for purity or a 3rd party seal for safety and efficiency.
4.Check for the Omega-3 form of fatty acid.
Look for the FFA (free fatty acids) label for better absorption, or PLs (phospholipids) rather than EE (ethyl esters).
The Bottom Line: Does Fish Oil Help Your Joints?
The simple answer is yes, it does. Fish oil is an anti-inflammatory supplement that prevents the onset of joint problems, eases joint pain, and brings about other health benefits such as heart health.
Always look for EPA and DHA in your choice of fish oil products, and always make sure you get the proper dosage as it takes about 3 months to fully enjoy significant results on your health.
If you're currently suffering from mild joint pain or you want to prevent the onset of arthritis, then fish oil is your best bet.