Arthritis is a condition that seems to have an ancient history. And now, after medical professionals have spent centuries developing newer and better treatments, one arthritis remedy seems to hold certain archaic qualities.

Fish oil is used to treat more than one hundred different types of arthritis. All forms are unique, yet most share similar chronic and painful symptoms. Men, women and children suffer with swelling of the affected areas, morning stiffness, sharp and throbbing pain, localized or widespread pain and a mild to severe loss of mobility.

Just as arthritis can present itself in many different forms, patients can benefit from a wide range of treatment options. Arthritis treatments vary from conventional drug therapies to specialized yoga and other alternative methods. Of course, every arthritis case is unique, so each treatment method may not bring relief to every patient.

Recently, there has been an interesting shift affecting the way that doctors treat patients with arthritis. Natural medicine is becoming more mainstream and alternative treatment methods are more readily available and accepted. One particular trend that is exciting doctors and nutritionists is the use of fish oil to treat arthritis.

It’s widely understood that fish oil is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two types of omega-3 fatty acids. Both are highly respected and well documented for their abilities to reduce the inflammation caused by arthritis. The strong anti-inflammatory properties in these acids make fish oil a natural choice for arthritis sufferers. And, naturally, patients have questions. Can fish oil really be considered a treatment for arthritis? If so, does it actually relieve pain?

Most alternative medicine therapies are relatively new, so they are not backed with the sufficient medical and scientific research needed to provide definite proof. Fish oil, as such, has yet to be proven effective in clinical trials. Still, early research findings are encouraging.

Recent laboratory studies and clinical trials have suggested that because the omega-3 structure of fish oil makes it helpful in reducing the morning muscle stiffness and joint pain suffered by so many arthritis patients. Researchers have not yet determined the appropriate dosage required for maximum effectiveness, or the appropriate durations of fish oil treatment programs.

There are possible side effects to fish oil supplementation that patients need to be aware of:

Blood Clotting

In some cases, fish oil has created risks by affecting the blood’s clotting abilities. In other words, some patients may find that fish oil affects the time it takes for the blood to clot. In cases where the patient is already taking medication to affect the clotting of blood, this is an important issue to consider.

Reduced Blood Pressure

Some patients taking fish oil supplements have found that the treatment may interact with existing blood pressure medications. If you supplement your diet with fish oil while taking high blood pressure medication, it may cause a significant drop in your blood pressure.

Possible Contaminants

Fish oil may naturally contain significant yet potentially dangerous levels of contaminants. Fish contain naturally-occurring mercury, and may be a poor choice for some patients. There are serious risks associated with the consumption of the contaminants found in fish oil, particularly to young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. Shark, tuna, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish are known to contain the highest levels of mercury.

If you are considering taking a fish oil supplement to treat arthritis, but you’re worried about the risks, avoid oils derived from fish that are known to contain high levels of mercury. It will take some research effort on your part, but the results are worth the efforts.

Patients should be aware of other possible concerns before starting fish oil therapy for arthritis. Other side effects associated with taking the supplements, such as gas and other stomach disturbances, are usually relatively minor.

Arthritis is not new, but alternative treatment options have promised new relief for patients. Seek the advice of a trusted herbalist or medical practitioner to learn more about fish oil and other alternative arthritis treatments.

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