Although there is no cure for arthritis, fish oil can help you manage many of its painful symptoms. Fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, acts as an anti-inflammatory on the joints. Already used in alternative medicine, fish oil is emerging as an accepted supplement for rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis symptom management in mainstream medicine. It's difficult to get enough fish oil from food alone to maximize its benefits. Capsules, chewable tablets and liquids are available without a prescription in a variety of doses.
Joint Benefits
Fish oil has numerous health benefits for those suffering from chronic arthritis. The Mayo Clinic recognizes that fish oil reduces the severity of numerous arthritis symptoms, including inflammation, pain and swelling. The U.S. National Institutes of Health also has found that fish oil can reduce morning stiffness and joint tenderness.
Additional Benefits
The Arthritis Foundation reports in Arthritis Today that fish oil can also enhance the effectiveness of other anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, allowing you to reduce your dosage of anti-inflammatory medicine and corticosteroids.
The Mayo Clinic has found that people who take fish oil reap the additional benefits of lower blood pressure, lower triglycerides and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Side Effects
The U.S. National Institutes of Health reports that common side effects of fish oil consumption include nausea, burping, acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, abdominal bloating and pain, diarrhea, a fishy aftertaste and skin rashes. You can minimize side effects by taking fish oil with meals and starting with low doses before gradually increasing them.
Risks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved fish oil as a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) supplement. However, as with all medications and supplements, there are a number of instances where fish oil is not appropriate.
Fish oil can affect bleeding and clotting time, which is of particular concern if you are about to undergo a surgical procedure. This can be especially problematic if you are taking aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners), anti-platelet drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Fish oil can affect bleeding time if you are taking other supplements, including Ginkgo biloba, garlic and saw palmetto.
Because many species of fish contain high levels of contaminants, such as mercury, oil from these fish can pose health risks. You should avoid fish oil with mercury, especially if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or nursing. Children should also avoid fish oil with mercury. Although contaminants accumulate in fish meat more often than in fish oil, you should avoid fish oil made from shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.
Fish oil can interfere with other medications. If you are taking blood pressure medicine or insulin, fish oil can lower blood pressure or blood sugar levels too much. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of fish oil, as well as appropriate dosages.
Fish liver oil may contain vitamin A and vitamin E, which, when used with vitamin supplements and a regular diet, can exceed recommended daily dosages.
If you have fish allergies or hypersensitivity to fish, you should avoid fish oil.
What We Don't Know
The U.S. National Institutes of Health reports that scientists are still studying the most effective dosage, length of effectiveness, optimal length of treatment and which patients would benefit most from fish oil.
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