How Does Fish Oil Help Arthritis Pain?

Fish oil helps arthritis pain by reducing inflammation.What Kind of Omega-3 is Best?
Studies have shown that it is beneficial for bothIn the early 1980s, researchers discovered that a
rheumatoid and osteoarthritis in humans and in dogs.particularly kind of omega-3 called Eicosapentaenoic
Here's an explanation of how it works.acid or EPA, which is only found in significant amounts
We Need Dietary Fat - Which One?in some kinds of fatty fish and seafood, is converted
In order to understand how the supplement works, youinto anti-inflammatory compounds called resolvins,
first need a little background on dietary fats. Humansmaresins and oxylipins. That discovery helped to
need some fat in their diets. But, only polyunsaturatedexplain how fish oil helps arthritis pain.
fats are essential, meaning that we cannot live withoutHow Much EPA?
them.It is important to mention that the anti-inflammatory
Animal fats and dairy products contain a mixture ofactivity of the supplements on the market varies
polyunsaturated and saturated fats, as well asgreatly. This has to do with the EPA content, as well
cholesterol. Vegetable oils contain no cholesterol, whichas the total amount of omega-3s included in the
is one of the reasons they have been promoted asproduct. But, other factors are involved, as well.
being better for your health. But, no all vegetable oilsMost manufacturers provide 1000mg capsules. Only a
are the same.portion of that 1000mg is omega-3 fat. This should be
Two Types of Essential Polyunsaturated Fatslisted on the product label, along with a breakdown of
There are two types of essential polyunsaturated fats;the EPA and DHA content.
omega-3s and omega-6s. Research has shown thatDHA - Very Important
most people (particularly in the US) get too manyDHA is important to the brain, which may also be a
omega-6s and not enough omega-3s.part of how fish oil helps arthritis pain. While
Omega-6inflammation is painful, it is actually the brain that
Since early in the 1960s, scientists have known thatperceives the sensation.
omega-6s are converted into pro-inflammatory agentsTo date, hundreds of studies have been conducted
called prostaglandins or eicosanoids. Theseand the results published concerning the benefits of this
compounds have important biological functions, such assupplement for rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. The
the regulation of contraction and relaxation of smoothbenefits included a reduction in pain medications,
muscles. But, excessive production of eicosanoidsreduced morning stiffness, improved flexibility and
causes a variety of health problems.better weight-bearing ability.
Omega-3 Helps Arthritis PainFish Oil Benefit to Consider
Omega-3s are converted into eicosanoids, too, but atBeing able to reduce the number of medications, alone,
a much slower rate. So, first of all, fish oil helps arthritisis an impressive benefit, because all of the
pain because of the omega-3 fatty acids it contains.anti-inflammatory meds are hard on the liver, even the
For a number of years, researchers have suggestedover-the-counter varieties.
that the simplest solution for treating and preventingSo, that's how fish oil helps arthritis pain. You might
diseases in which inflammation is involved would be towant to learn about the other benefits, too.
have people reduce their intake of omega-6s andAnd now please visit the XtendFishOil website listed
increase their intake of omega-3s. But, decreasingbelow for updated information on How Fish Oil helps
eicosanoids production is only one of the benefits.Arthritis Pain.