Inflammatory Bowel Disease & Fish Oil Benefits

What are the benefits of fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, for those people with i nflammatory bowel disease?  Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, as well as irritable bowel and other digestive disorders often respond well to foods and dietary supplements that have natural anti-inflammatory activity.

IBD & Fish Oil

Studies indicate that the benefits of fish oil include relief during flare ups of IBD.  But it does not seem to help maintain remission in Crohn’s.  Changing your diet is usually helpful, keeping your body well nourished and increasing fluid intake to insured good hydration is also important. 

Omega-3 fats are essential to the human diet.  The best source is fish and choosing fish over other types of meat may be beneficial for managing inflammatory bowel disease. 

Diet is Important

Most people find that limiting gas-producing foods, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, peas, lentils and Brussels sprouts is helpful.  To insure adequate intake of vegetables, juices are an option.  Low-fiber foods are typically recommended during a flare-up.  These include green and red peppers, eggplant, cucumber, carrots, celery, green beans, beets and alfalfa sprouts.

Some studies have concerned the safety of omega-3 supplements in ulcerative colitis or cases where bleeding is an issue.  Results of a large scale study published in 2009 indicate that the supplements are “safe” for Crohn’s patients, but may contribute to diarrhea and symptoms of the upper gastrointestinal tract. 

However, the data did not include the dosage that the patients received.  In other studies, no adverse effects or bleeding issues were seen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.  Researchers recommended a maximum 1000mg dosage.

Other Fish Oil Benefits

There may be other benefits of fish oil for those that struggle with inflammatory bowel disease.  Many patients struggle with depressive issues, particularly teenagers and kids that have the disease.  An omega-3 called DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid has been shown to relieve depressive feelings, as well as anxiety and nervousness, which are also known to accompany the condition. 

Joint pain is another symptom that often accompanies IBD.  The benefits of fish oil for reducing joint pain are well known.  Many clinical studies have reported reduced pain, stiffness and a reduction in anti-inflammatory drugs.

Purified Fish Oil is Most Important
 
When you are shopping for a supplement, it is important to find out what purification method the company uses.  Molecular distillation is the preferred method.  This removes toxins and other impurities that could contribute to oxidative stress. 

The role that oxidation plays in IBD is not well understood, but it has been shown that omega-3 supplementation decreases oxidative stress in patients with ulcerative colitis and other types of inflammatory bowel disease.  Patients are advised to take a good multi-nutritional supplement every day, because of the beneficial effects of antioxidants and to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Managing IBD on the long term is possible, without surgery or continued drug use.  In Europe and other countries, nutritional therapy is the primary course of treatment.  Other treatments are seen as last resorts. 

There are many other benefits of fish oil to the heart, hair, eyes, skin and all of the cells of the body.  Supplementation is a good idea for anyone. Not all fish oil is the same. 

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SKIN Disorders & Skin Health & Fish Oil Benefits