Fish Oil & Pain Relief

Fish oil may help relieve pain without the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, omega-3 fatty acids, as found in fish oil, might help reduce inflammation and your chances of developing arthritis, heart disease and even cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids are primarily found in cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna and halibut. The anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil may benefit several pain-producing conditions. Consult your doctor before adding fish oil or any supplement to self-treat any condition.

Anti-Inflammatory Components

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids, because the body cannot produce them on its own, the UMMC explains. Humans get omega-3 fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid, from food sources like fish oil. The body converts alpha-linolenic acid into the important omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, according to the World's Healthiest Foods website. Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial to the production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which can benefit inflammation or make it worse, the site adds. EPA and DHA are thought to increase the production of the type of prostaglandins that help inflammation to fight pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Fish oil may relieve the joint pain and stiffness associated with the auto-immune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, according to the UMMC. An investigative team, led by J. M. Kremer of Albany (New York) Medical College, observed the effects of fish oil on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; study results were published in the August 1995 edition of "Arthritis and Rheumatism." Rheumatoid arthritis patients were given either an omega-3 or corn oil supplement, along with a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. Researchers determined that when the NSAID was taken away, those patients taking the fish oil supplement fared much better than their corn oil counterparts. Supplementing the diet with fish oil improved joint pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and some of the patients were able to stop taking NSAIDs, without detrimental effects, according to the investigators.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's is an inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, that can cause diarrhea and severe pain, the Mayo Clinic explains. A group of researchers, led by Andrea Belluzzi of Italy's University of Bologna, attempted to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of fish oil on the relapse of Crohn's disease; their findings were published in 1996 in "The New England Journal of Medicine." Participants received either fish oil caplets or placebo caplets daily. Only 29 percent of the patients taking fish oil had relapses, while those receiving a placebo had a relapse rate of 59 percent. In addition, one year later, 59 percent of the fish oil group remained in remission, compared with just 26 percent of the placebo group. Researchers concluded that a fish oil supplement was effective in preventing relapses in Crohn's patients.

Ulcerative Colitis

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, ulcerative colitis is an IBD that may cause diarrhea, joint pain, arthritis and severe abdominal cramping. A team led by William Stenson of the Jewish Hospital of St. Louis evaluated the effects of fish oil supplements in patients with active ulcerative colitis; their results were published in 1992 in the journal "Annals of Internal Medicine." Over a four-month period, patients received either fish oil or vegetable capsules. Researchers concluded that fish oil supplements benefited inflammation and promoted weight gain in ulcerative colitis patients.

Lupus

Those suffering from the painful autoimmune disease lupus may benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of fish oil. Lupus can affect the eyes, skin, lungs, kidneys, nerves, joints --- or almost any part of your body, the Mother Nature website reports. Traditional treatment involves using corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone; however, Mother Nature explains, some doctors are recommending fish oil to treat lupus due to its anti-inflammatory properties.