Rheumatoid
& Osteo - arthritis
are characterized by symptoms which include inflammation, painful
joints and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic
auto-immune disease that is extremely painful and can lead to severe
disability. Osteoarthritis can be described as wear and tear of the
joints with a resulting loss of cartilage.
Numerous
studies have found that fish oil can improve the symptoms of
rheumatoid arthritis by significantly reducing inflammation and in
some cases, even lessen the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs. Similarly with osteoarthritis, studies have found that fish
oil suppresses the action of cartilage destroying enzymes.
Fish
oil contains the essential Omega 3 fatty acids that are found in
oily fish such as Salmon, Tuna, Sardines and Mackerel. They are
essential in that the body cannot produce
them itself. We can only source them from fish oil nutrition. Most of us
simply do not get enough Omega 3 fatty acids in our diet.
Traditionally,
man ate a diet that was rich in omega 3 fish oils but now, our fish
oil nutrition is low in
omega-3s. There is a substantial amount of research indicating that
it is this imbalance of this Omega 3 fish oil nutrition that is mainly
responsible for the higher incidence of inflammatory diseases like
rheumatoid - arthritis, osteo - arthritis, cancers and allergies that we see today.
Omega
3 fish oil nutrition has anti-inflammatory properties
and helps to thin the blood helping rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoarthritis, and similar joint pain.
Clinical
trials have reported that after taking fish oil for 3 months,
rheumatoid & osteo-arthritis patients found that their symptoms of arthritis improved, with less
inflammation, pain and stiffness. Furthermore, those taking
fish oil for longer than 3 months found they had an increase in grip
strength.
As
there is some evidence that Rheumatoid Arthritis is the result of
oxidative stress on the body, and fish oil is an antioxidant, it is
particularly important to choose a high quality fish oil.
