Fish oil, famously high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, has been found to prevent and alleviate many health conditions linked to chronic inflammation, including degenerative joint disease. Other healthy properties of fish oil may also be beneficial in the management of degenerative joint disease. Consult your doctor before using fish oil to treat a medical condition.
Inflammation
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improve symptoms of osteoarthritis by inhibiting production of certain protein molecules involved in degenerative joint disease, say researchers at the School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, United Kingdom. In the tissue culture study, omega-3 fatty acids reduced levels of inflammatory COX-2 enzymes, cartilage-degrading enzymes and several other factors that contribute to osteoarthritis.
Cell Membranes
When you eat omega-3 fatty acids they replace pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids in your cell membranes, reducing inflammation and improving symptoms of degenerative joint disease, according to Joseph Audette, editor of the book "Integrative Pain Medicine: The Science and Practice of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Pain Management." Fish oils also suppress the immune response and decrease clotting. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis have responded well to fish oil therapy, in some people. Audette adds that some arthritis patients do not experience certain fish oil benefits due to genetic differences in the way they metabolize fish oil. These individuals may experience increased oxidation when they take fish oils. This problem can be prevented by supplementing with vitamin E in addition to fish oil.
Combination Therapy
Fish oil enhances the pain and inflammation-reducing effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug acetaminophen, according to researchers at the Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia. In the study, rheumatoid arthritis patients took one of several doses of fish oil along with 1 g of acetaminophen. Blood tests 1 hour later showed that suppression of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes was greater in the group that consumed high levels of fish oil. Researchers concluded that the combination of acetaminophen and fish oil reduces inflammation and pain in rheumatoid arthritis to a greater degree than acetaminophen alone.
Side Effects
Doses of between 1 g and 5 g per day of fish oil are generally well tolerated and result in few side effects, according to Elizabeth Mackenzie, author of the book "Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Older Adults: a Guide to Holistic Approaches to Healthy Aging." Most side effects, when they occur are gastrointestinal in nature, such as diarrhea. Choose a fish oil product that is purified to remove all heavy metals and other contaminants.
References
- "Osteoarthritis Cartilage"; Relative Efficacies of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Reducing Expression of Key Proteins in a Model System for Studying Osteoarthritis; Z. Zainal, et al.; July 2009
- "Integrative Pain Medicine: The Science and Practice of Complementary and ... "; Joseph F. Audette; 2008
- "Complementary Therapies in Medicine"; Fish Oil Supplementation Increases the Cyclooxygenase Inhibitory Activity of Paracetamol in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients; G. Caughey, et al.; June 2010
- "Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Older Adults: a Guide to Holistic ... "; Elizabeth R. Mackenzie; 2006
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