Arthritis can reduce the quality of your life, making everyday activities hard to perform. Characterized by excruciating pain in the joints, arthritis is one of the most dreaded health issues.
Studies have shown that people who consume the best Omega 3 capsules or foods that are rich in these nutrients see a progressive decline in the pain and discomfort. Let us explore the benefits that these fatty acids may have for individuals who suffer from this condition.
What is Arthritis?
The word arthritis comes from the Greek works ‘artho’ and ‘itis’ which translates to inflammation in the joints. There are over 100 forms of this condition and each one of them affects your joints. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative condition which is caused as you age.
Extensive wear and tear in the cartilages, followed by improper calcium consumption and retention leads to this condition.
Another popular form that we have all heard of is Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is an autoimmune condition. It means that the immune system begins to attack the cells and tissues of your body. In this case, the synovial joint is attacked, causing a lot of pain.
The Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids For Individuals With Arthritis?
Of the three types of Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA are often linked with arthritis treatment and cure. How do they help? Let’s find out.
Reduced Inflammation
Both EPA and DHA are potent anti-inflammatory nutrients. They are capable of reducing inflammation all over the body. These Omega-3 fatty acids regulate important players in the inflammatory response of the body. This includes immune cells known as leukocytes and certain enzymes like cytokines.
Inflammation is the body’s first reaction to any injury or infection. It is activated by the immune system. However, when inflammation occurs without any triggers, it causes health issues like arthritis. The combination of EPA with DHA suppresses this immune function, giving you great relief from inflammation-related pain.
What do the studies say:
There are many studies to prove this effect of EPA and DHA on arthritis. According to a 2013 study published in ‘Annals of Rheumatic Disease’, adding a high dose of fish oil to treatments for arthritis improves the outcomes. This is particularly useful with triple therapy that makes use of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine. The treatment was found to be less likely to fail with the use of Omega-3 fatty acids.
There are more than 13 studies which show that consuming omega-3 supplements like HK Vitals Advanced Omega-3 can reduce pain caused by joint inflammation. However, these studies did not show any change in joint damage.
Better Calcium Uptake
Omega-3 fatty acids are also linked with osteoarthritis prevention because it helps your body absorb calcium better. It also helps the bones retain the calcium for longer. This is significantly useful in reducing osteoarthritis which is very common in women with calcium deficiency.
What do the studies say:
A study published in 2013 in the ‘Scientific World Journal’ showed that regular use of Omega-3 fatty acids improve bone formation. This effect is most common in young adults. However, with age the amount of calcium loss is reduced as well. This can prevent conditions like osteoarthritis.
A recent study published in the ‘Journal of Food Biochemistry’ showed that Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA can improve bone quality. It improves bone mineralization and even prevents bone decay with age.
How Much Omega-3 do you need?
With Omega-3 fatty acids, there is no officially recommended RDA. Most studies and organizations show that consuming 250-500 mg of DHA and EPA together is most beneficial when it comes to relief from arthritis.
Consuming fatty fish two times each week is considered the best option to get the required intake. However, if you are not able to meet this requirement, the best way to ensure Omega-3 consumption is using dietary supplements.
