Fish Oil Arthritis

By taking fish oil arthritis symptoms have been shown to be dramatically reduced. In fact, there have been many scientific studies conducted lately that have shown an amazing tendency to reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms including, but not limited to, reduction of inflammation, joint stiffness, and over all joint pain.

Affecting almost two percent of the world’s population, rheumatoid arthritis is a nasty disease. If you are female, you are more than three times as likely to contract this disease. It does not discriminate based on age and can afflict you no matter what age you are. In a nutshell, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the release of toxins in the synovium which, ultimately, destroys the cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include inflammation (i.e., swelling) of the joints, along with increased fatigue, morning stiffness, and general malaise.

Fortunately, research has shown that supplementation with fish oils can substantially reduce overall stiffness and joint pain in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. This reduction is the result of fish oil nutrition. Specifically, the fish oil benefits related to arthritis stem from the fact that fish oils contain omega-3 fatty acids known as eicosapentaenoic acid (“EPA”) and docosahexaenoic acid (“DHA”).

A study conducted by researchers in Australia is illustrative of the fish oil arthritis benefits. These researchers conducted a fifteen week study of twenty-five rheumatoid arthritis patients (although the original study started with fifty patients but half had to drop out due to medication changes that occurred during the experiment). While continuing with their normal medication regime and diets, half of the test group supplemented their diet with fish oil pills equivalent to forty mg per kg of body weight. The balance of the test group also maintained their regular diet but received placebo capsules consisting of fifty percent corn oil and fifty percent olive oil. Although no major improvements were noted until approximately fifteen after the commencement of the study, at that time significant changes were observed in the test group supplementing their diet with fish oil supplements. Specifically, those patients saw a decrease in disease activity (as measured by both the patients and the physicians) as well as marked reduction in the length of time the patients experience morning stiffness. The conclusion of the study was that dietary fish oil supplements “should now be regarded as part of standard therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.”

No discussion of the effectiveness of fish oil on arthritis would be complete without referencing a study as related to its effects on omega-3 fatty acids found in the blood and synovial fluids (i.e., the fluid in their joints). Research has now shown that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have lower levels of these essential fatty acids (specifically eicosapentaenoic acid) in their blood and joint fluids. Levels of docosahexaenoic acid are also typically lower in joint fluids of rheumatoid arthritis patients, although the same is not true as related to their blood plasma. This study concludes by opining that these patients have “an abnormal fatty acid profile and a significant deficiency” in omega-3 fatty acids. As result, they think this explains why the health benefits of fish oil include arthritis relief.

Additionally, researchers in New York have reached similar conclusions. Research has shown that when too much leukotriene B4 and interleukin 1 is release into the body, rheumatoid arthritis may result. Studies involving both humans and animals have demonstrated that fish oil supplements cause a significant reduction of these compounds into the body. As a result, morning stiffness and tenderness in the joints, two major symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, are reduced.

Finally, researchers at Harvard Medical School have examined numerous studies from smaller control groups and combined their results. Their conclusions, backed by double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies (totaling approximately three hundred sixty eight participants consuming fish oil pills for at least three months), attempted to determine the health benefits of fish oil supplementation as related to several separate symptoms including the number of tender joints, number of swollen joints, extent of morning stiffness, grip strength, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, and overall global assessment of disease severity. Their analysis concluded that while no statistically significant changes were noted for most of the arthritis indicators, there was a tremendous reduction in the number of tender joints as well as a significant shortening in the duration of morning stiffness. For sufferers of this disease, this fish oil arthritis benefit is surely welcome.

With that said, there are several manufacturers of fish oil supplements that pride themselves on products in the fish oil arthritis field. Xtend Life Fish Oil is one such company. Inflammation, a normal part of arthritis pain, is common in all of our bodies. However, because we usually do not have symptoms associated therewith. That is why the problem can really sneak up on you.

Inflammation is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and is even more prevalent than high cholesterol! In fact, many other ailments have inflammation as a precursor. Xtend Life Fish Oil, specially their Xtend-Life Omega 3 / DHA Fish oil was specifically designed to combat inflammation. Studies conducted by Trinity Bioactives (which is part of the Wellington School of Medicine in New Zealand) have shown that this product is better than aspirin and has up to two and a half times more anti-inflammatory properties than the standard fish oil products.

This study involved testing the inflammation inhibition properties of three fish oils. Aspirin was used as the dose-related control. The three fish oils were tested were : a concentrated tuna oil with 85% omega-3; a ‘normal’ consumer fish oil 18/12 which consists of 18% EPA and 12% DHA; and Xtend-Life’s Omega 3 / DHA Fish Oil.

Accordingly, those consumers concerned with fish oil arthritis issues should consider selecting Xtend Life Fish Oil.

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