Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the joints. It occurs when cartilage, a rubbery tissue that lines and cushions the body's joints, starts to wear away, either through age or injury. Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, spine, knees and hips, and according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, more than 20 million people in the United States have osteoarthritis. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but medicines including corticosteroids and COX-2 inhibitors help to alleviate pain and inflammation. Taking a fish oil supplement may also help to reduce inflammation, although it should not be used in place of medicines your doctor prescribes.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Fish oil, as the name suggests, is taken from oily fish such as cod liver, halibut, herring and tuna. It contains polyunsaturated fatty acids known as omega-3 fatty acids, and is used as a complementary treatment for a number of ailments including painful menstrual periods, heart disease, osteoporosis and psoriasis. MedlinePlus adds that fish oil may also help to reduce swelling and alleviate stiffness in patients suffering from arthritic conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Administration
You can obtain fish oil by eating oily fish. MedlinePlus states that eating 3.5 ounces of oily fish provides 1 g of omega-3 fatty acids. However, you may prefer to take fish oil in capsules or as liquid. The UMMC website suggests taking either one or two capsules or 1 tbsp. of fish oil daily to reduce osteoarthritis-associated inflammation. UMMC adds that higher doses are sometimes used for osteoarthritis, but only under medical supervision.
Side Effects
MedlinePlus states that taking up to 3 g of fish oil daily is likely safe for most people including pregnant and breast-feeding women. However, it may cause mild side-effects including nausea, bad breath and loose stools.Taking more than 3 g daily may not be safe as it may have a blood-thinning effect and may also reduce immune system activity, making you less able to fight off infection.
Contraindications
Fish oil is not an appropriate supplement for everyone. Its use is contraindicated in several conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and depression. MedlinePlus adds that it may not be suitable for people who have an implanted defibrillator as it may increase the risk of irregular heartbeats in these patients. It also interacts with other drugs, including antihypertensive drugs, contraceptive pills, anticoagulants and the weight-loss drug, orlistat. Get medical clearance before taking a fish oil supplement.
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