Discover The Benefits Of Fish Oil For Arthritis And Heart Health

The Important Benefits Of Fish Oil.

Fish oil is the fat or oil that’s obtained from fish tissue. It is usually extracted from oily fish, such as herring, tuna, and anchovies. However,  it can also be produced from other fish such as cod liver oil.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming 1–2 portions of fish per week. If you don’t consume 1–2 servings of fish per week, fish oil supplements may help you gain enough omega-3s. Fish oil is made up of 30% omega-3 fatty and 70% other fats. It also contains vitamins like vitamin A and D.

It’s important to understand that the types of Omega-3s found in fish oil have more significant health benefits than the omega-3s extracted from some plant resources. The primary Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Meanwhile, the Omega-3 fatty acid found in plant sources is mainly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is also beneficial, but the fatty acids in fish oil have more benefits.

What is fish oil good for? Is fish oil good for you?

It is believed that the Omega-3 fatty acids in fish provide many health benefits, including protection against many diseases such as:

• Arthritis
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Psoriasis
• Hypertension
• Kidney disease

It also improves brain, eye and muscle functions.

Is fish oil used as a blood thinner?

Fish oil is considered a natural anticoagulant. Therefore, it can prevent blood from clotting. This feature explains the use of fish oil in heart health as thinning of blood can improve cardiovascular health.  This blood-thinning effect is attributed to omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil.

Uses of fish oil in cardiovascular disease and arthritis.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fatty acid that minimize inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the body can affect your blood vessels. This can eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases. Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for heart health as they:

• Decrease triglycerides
• Delay blood clotting
• Can lower blood pressure
• Minimize irregular heartbeats

Omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil also reduce inflammation in the joints. Consequently, they can reduce the symptoms of arthritis in some individuals. Thus, the anti-inflammatory properties of these fatty acids play a role in their effectiveness in relieving joint pain. Fish oil can decrease the severity of the symptoms. Consider the benefits of other natural treatments such as turmeric for your arthritis as well. Together, they may help you in reducing the doses of medications being used for arthritis.

What are the supplement types for fish oil?

Plenty of supplements of fish oil are available in the market. Some of the widely used supplements are as follows:

1. Epanova (omega-3-carboxylic acids)
2. Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters).
3. Omtryg (omega-3-acid ethyl esters).
4. Vascepa (icosapent ethyl).

What is the recommended dose of fish oil?

There are no clear-cut recommendations. Still, it is stated that 250–500 mg daily of combined EPA and DHA is sufficient for most healthy people.  Fish oils are rich in these fatty acids. The dose needed also varies according to your needs and activities. There are different doses for infants, children and pregnant women.

When you decide to take the supplements, select an omega-3 supplement that contains the recommended amount of EPA and DHA.

Typically, 1,000 mg of fish oil supplies around 300 mg of combined EPA and DHA. Up to 1,000 mg of total EPA and DHA per day is recommended for people who have coronary heart disease and are at risk of having a heart attack.

It’s important that you discuss fish oil supplementation with your GP, especially if you are pregnant or on other medications. Save yourself the hassle of pharmacy visits and get your medications home delivered.

Are there any risks and drug interactions?

Side effects associated with fish oil are rare and mild. Possible risk and  side effects of fish oil are:

• Belching
• Fishy taste
• Heartburn
• Bad breath
• Nosebleeds
• Nausea
• Rash
• Loose stools

Fish oil can potentially interact with the following:

• Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, herbs and supplements
• Blood pressure medications
• Contraceptive drugs
• Orlistat
• Vitamin E

Therefore, when taking any of the above medications or vitamin E, it is important to consult your doctor regarding consuming fish oil.

Key Takeaway

Consuming an optimum quantity of fish is beneficial for health in many aspects. It mainly benefits the heart and joints. Side effects and risks associated with fish oil are rare and can be easily avoided by consuming the recommended doses of fish oil. So, consume it in a recommended amount and enjoy healthy perks!

References

1.  Harris W. S. (2004). Fish oil supplementation: evidence for health benefits. Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine, 71(3), . https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.71.3.208
2. Lee, J. H., O’Keefe, J. H., Lavie, C. J., & Harris, W. S. (2009). Omega-3 fatty acids: cardiovascular benefits, sources and sustainability. Nature reviews. Cardiology, 6(12), 753–758. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2009.188
3. Chen, X., Hong, S., Sun, X., Xu, W., Li, H., Ma, T., Zheng, Q., Zhao, H., Zhou, Y., Qiang, Y., Li, B., & Li, X. (2020). Efficacy of fish oil and its components in the management of psoriasis: a systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials. Nutrition reviews, 78(10), 827–840. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuz098
4. de Leiris, J., de Lorgeril, M., & Boucher, F. (2009). Fish oil and heart health. Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology, 54(5), 378–384. https://doi.org/10.1097/FJC.0b013e3181af6c56
5. Cleland, L. G., James, M. J., & Proudman, S. M. (2006). Fish oil: what the prescriber needs to know. Arthritis research & therapy, 8(1), 202. https://doi.org/10.1186/ar1876
6. Sidhu K. S. (2003). Health benefits and potential risks related to consumption of fish or fish oil. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP, 38(3), 336–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2003.07.002