Arthritis is a crippling disease affecting millions worldwide. There is no permanent cure for the disease. The medications available in the market provide only temporary relief. But these medications use COX-2 inhibitors that have been shown to be dangerous and many a times fatal in large cases. This has boosted the cause of using natural remedies. People are turning to natural cures to treat the problem.

One of the natural ingredients that have attracted widespread attention is Omega 3 fatty acids. These fats are found in fish. They are necessary to maintain brain as well as cardiovascular health. Now researchers are trying to determine whether these fats can cure arthritis.

There are three major types of omega 3 fatty acids that are ingested in foods and used by the body:

• alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
• eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Once eaten, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two types of omega-3 fatty acids more readily used by the body. Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

These essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral function. In fact, infants who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are at risk for developing vision and nerve problems. Symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency include extreme tiredness (fatigue), poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation.

Most clinical studies investigating the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements for inflammatory joint conditions have focused almost entirely on rheumatoid arthritis. Several articles reviewing the research in this area conclude that omega-3 fatty acid supplements reduce tenderness in joints, decrease morning stiffness, and allow for a reduction in the amount of medication needed for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

In addition, laboratory studies suggest that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids (and low in the inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids) may benefit people with other inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis. In fact, several test tube studies of cartilage-containing cells have found that omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation and reduce the activity of enzymes that destroy cartilage. Similarly, New Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), another potential source of omega-3 fatty acids, has been reported to reduce joint stiffness and pain, increase grip strength, and enhance walking pace in a small group of people with osteoarthritis. In some participants, symptoms worsened before they improved.

An analysis was conducted of 17 randomized, controlled clinical trials assessing the pain relieving effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or joint pain caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) and painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea). The results suggest that omega-3 fatty acids are effective treatment, along with conventional therapies such as anti-inflammatory drugs, for joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and dysmenorrhea.[1]
 

Some evidence suggests that fish oils can work wonders in some types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis where the joints cannot move freely and are painful because of inflammation. Fish oils can successfully reduce inflammation. But they are completely ineffective in the cases of osteoarthritis that occurs when the joints are eroded due to overuse.

To avail the benefits of fish oil in treating inflammation, they are usually combined with certain other inflammatory agents. This increases the effectiveness of the fish oil and it can successfully treat joint aches and pains. For example, concentrated extract of green-lipped missel is the best anti-inflammatory and natural pain reliever in the world. It provides support to the connective tissue and joint function, which makes moving joints very easy.

To get the best possible arthritis treatment, go for a superior quality, distilled fish oil supplement that has other natural anti-inflammatory properties.[2]

Source: [1]www.umm.edu, [2]arthritisinfo4u.com