Does Fish Oil Help Achy Joints?

Are you living with the discomfort of achy joints? You’re in good company! In fact, I had trouble just getting out of bed today because my darn knees were giving me grief. Whether your achy joints are an old or a new problem, you’re probably wondering how to help them calm down. Sure, your doctor can recommend medications to help manage the pain, but at what cost? Many medications come with side effects that are even less pleasant than the condition they’re treating!

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could minimize your pain through natural methods? Well, guess what? You may be able to! Some people swear by fish oil supplementation and claim that the stuff helps their achy joints. So I decided to do a little research into the matter. Here’s what I found out.

What Is Fish Oil?

Fish oil comes from the tissues of oily fish. While that may sound off-putting, the stuff is actually quite remarkable! It’s full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation in the body. Since achy joints are commonly caused by inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids are like their kryptonite. Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential for many other bodily functions. They facilitate cell growth and help the muscles function properly.

There are many food sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including nuts, plant oils and seeds. But fish oil is one of the richest sources of omega-3s, which is why it’s so popular. Unfortunately, the taste isn’t too great, so don’t try to take it straight. Instead, take fish oil in capsule form so you don’t have to taste it at all (though I can’t promise you won’t have fish oil burps afterward).

What Causes Achy Joints?

There are many things that can cause your joints to ache, but inflammation is one of the most common causes. In fact, inflammation has been linked to some of the most egregious joint pain conditions, including:

• Arthritis

• Gout

• Lupus

• Bursitis

• Tendinitis

• Complex regional pain syndrome

Joint pain can also be due to serious conditions such as bone cancer and avascular necrosis. It’s very important to see your doctor and rule out these causes before attempting to treat your joint discomfort on your own with fish oil supplementation.

What Are Signs of Joint Inflammation?

In addition to pain, other common indications of joint inflammation include:

• Loss of joint function

• Joint pain

• Redness and swelling in the joint

• Joint stiffness

When joints are inflamed for a prolonged period of time, they can cause chronic pain. This can, in turn, make it difficult to live a full, happy life. Depending on the severity and cause of your joint pain, diagnosis and treatment may be required to live normally. In some cases, however, supplementing with fish oil can significantly minimize joint pain.

How Does Fish Oil Minimize Joint Aches?

Now that you know fish oil has the potential to minimize joint aches, you may be wondering how it does so. It turns out that omega-3 fatty acids can rude joint discomfort in three different ways.

1. Omega-3 fatty acids increase blood flow throughout the body. Adequate blood flow can naturally reduce swelling and pain in the joints.

2. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to inhibit inflammation of the joints. They also limit the body’s production of negative proteins that are linked to certain arthritis types.

3. Omega-3 fatty acids help restore and maintain healthy cells in the joints. They also help aid proper lubrication on the joints and help minimize excessive wear and strain.

In these three ways, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can help you experience strong, healthy joints that are less susceptible to inflammation and pain. Who knew a simple little fish oil could do so much?