Arthritis & Gout & Fish Oil Benefits

The health benefits of fish oil are due to its omega-3 content, specifically the DHA content.  There are other omega3s in vegetable oils, but no DHA.  If the body does not have enough DHA, is suffers.  In this article, we look at the benefit of supplementation for those that suffer from arthritis or gout.

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.

 There are several types.  Osteoarthritis is the most common type and was thought at one time to be something that anyone could expect to have, as they got older.  Rheumatoid and psoriatic are two other, more serious types that can cause disfigurement and crippling.  Gout is, in fact, a type of acute arthritis, which can eventually become chronic, but it is caused by specific dietary factors.

There are benefits of fish oil in all types of the disease, because it has natural anti-inflammatory activity.  But, gout is specifically related to long-term elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream, which eventually becomes crystallized and is deposited in the cartilage of joints, tendons and surrounding tissues.  So, other dietary steps and supplements that reduce uric acid should be considered. 

Protein-rich foods cause high levels of uric acid. 

Consumption of fish, meat or poultry should be limited to eight ounces per day.  Since that is an inadequate amount for supporting levels of omega3s in the bloodstream, there are specific benefits of fish oil supplements with this type of diet.  It provides the omega-3, without providing the protein.  Other nutrients reduce uric acid in the bloodstream, including vitamin B5, vitamin C and quercetin.  Quercetin supplements should include the enzyme bromelain to increase absorption.
     
Both DHA and EPA inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines.  They have a positive effect on the immune system and are not accompanied by unwanted side effects that are seen with anti-inflammatory drugs. 

Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that patients with rheumatoid arthritis experience reduced pain, the duration of morning stiffness was lessened and they had improved joint motility after including a daily omega-3 supplement in their regimen.  They were also able to reduce the amount of anti-inflammatory drugs they were taking.  That’s important because those drugs can have damaging effects on the liver.

Other supplements to consider for arthritis include green lipped mussel extract, glucosamine, MSM, rutin, SAM-e and curcumin.  You might also consider milk thistle extract, because it helps protect the liver from damage that the anti-inflammatory drugs can do.  To enhance absorption, milk thistle extract should be combined with lecithin.

Omega-3 fatty acids have positive effects on depression. 

Many people with arthritis and gout must also battle depression.  So, this is an additional side benefit.  High blood levels of lead are associated with gout.  Milk thistle extract converts lead into a non-harmful substance, further protecting the liver and providing another benefit.

So, those are the benefits of fish oil, as it pertains to arthritic conditions.  Take the time to learn about some of the other ways in which DHA is beneficial to human health.  You are likely to be amazed. 

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