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Nutrition and Weight Loss > Healthy Eating > Food and Inflammation > Fish May Reduce Inflammation
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Fish May Reduce Inflammation

Seafood with omega-3 fatty acids may reduce your need for anti-inflammatory medications

Talk about health food – the kinds of fish loaded with omega-3 fatty acids are good for everything from heart disease to depression, including arthritis, according to researchers at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass.

Not only can omega-3s significantly reduce joint pain and shorten the duration of morning stiffness, but studies, such as those reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, show that increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids also have enabled people taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce their dosage or discontinue use.

Adding about two 3-ounce servings of seafood to your menu each week is a good way to increase your levels of omega-3s. The highest levels of omega-3 can be found in salmon, trout, mackerel, tuna, sardines and herring, which are all cold-water, fatty fish. Inflammation in your body should decrease with the addition of omega-3s to your diet.

Many studies on inflammation and fish use fish oil supplements to increase intake of omega-3s. If you’re averse to fish and are considering fish-oil supplements, check with your doctor first for proper dosage, especially if you are taking blood thinners.

Ellis
11 Jan 2012, 12:40
I tried eating salmon and got no results. I would buy a whole salmon and have it de-scaled and fillet eating a portion for (sometimes breakfast) lunch and dinner. I also eat green veges all the time and take iron pills and I still stay exhausted. I may get a few good days here or there but I am predominantly getting spasms, nagging aches deep in the bone, and stiffness. I'm in the process of being tapered off prednisone but still experiencing slight swelling of the feet and stiffness in the morning and all through the day. I don't know what to do and with all of the side effects from the medicines in eg. Methotrexate, Humira, Odanestron, and Folic Acid pills I'm about ready to call it quits!!! (figuratively speaking). It's hard trying to work, keep the house clean and take care of a toddler, and athletically inclined child. If anyone has any alternatives to the seafood I would appreciate it and yes I was eating Atlantic fish.
patricia
10 May 2011, 11:02
please dont forget the vinger rub down where it hurts about 10 mins. you will feel a relief
Matseliso Matlosa
09 Mar 2011, 02:23
does eating red meat once a week trigger arthritis pain? or does all meat increase arthritis pain?
Mary
22 Feb 2011, 09:31
I have been taking fish oil supplements to help lower my cholestrol. I have experienced severe joint inflammation and indigestion with certain kinds. I found that the Nordic is one that did not cause these kind of reactions. You must be very aware of contaminents and what outside gel is made from. So many things to consider and worry about.
celia acosta
16 Dec 2010, 16:56
QUISIERA SABER QUE PUEDO HACER CON MI DOLOR EN EL CUELLO Y MI HOMBRO Y LA PALETA IZQUIERDA...SIEMPRE TENGO TENSION EN MI LADO IZQUIERDO, DESPUES DE ACIDENTE DE CARRO,ES MUY DOLOROSO...GRACIAS.
Kaneshia Glaze
08 Dec 2010, 10:27
Hi. My name is Kaneshia Glaze and I am 18 years old, suffering with rheumatoid arthritis. I tend to drink a lot of sodas. Can this cause inflammation to rheumatoid arthritis? I have another question.. I tend to eat a lot of spicy foods. Does that cause inflammation to rheumatoid arthritis?
mauro
14 Sep 2010, 12:51
is banana bad for reumathoid arthritis?
Deb
02 Sep 2010, 10:48
I was put on fish oil for cholesterol issues, and because I have fibromyalgia my doctor recommended the prescription form, Lovaza. She said that over-the-counter forms often have impurities that could actually make my fibro worse. I can only tolerate 1 gram per day because of bleeding issues, but it has helped with my pain and inflammation a good deal.
Beverly
15 Jul 2010, 04:43
Can any suggest a supplement for cartilage build up in the joints that works ?
nancy
25 Jun 2010, 09:53
Does eating red meat twice a week trigger arthritis pain?
Cristina
17 Dec 2009, 21:23
Cherries are very good for arthritis.Juice from raw potatoe also.
rj
02 Dec 2009, 22:30
I think i will get estopina in later life, in need some recomandation ,if i can eat fish or boild eggs. rj
Reta
23 Aug 2009, 21:04
Fish and fish oil seem to make my joints hurt. I think I have developed an allergy to fish and fish oils...
Kristina
04 Aug 2009, 21:43
I have been suffering from arthritis since I was 13 and my doctors have always told me that eating fish will help with my joint discomforts. Another thing they told me that fish oil pills will not help because I would not be getting the right amounts that is needed to help with inflamation.
Kumar
07 Jun 2009, 21:02

I just wrote this commment in a different section. My mom finds great relief from omega-3s for pain relief as fish oil (EPA+DHA) is natural anti-inflammatory. She uses Nordic Naturals -a mainstream quality brand that can be bought at your local vitamin stores or online through authorized retailers such as World of Omega - http://www.worldofomega.com.

Omega-3 fish oils definitely are nature's miracle and I use them for my heart as well.
Paula Andrews
30 May 2009, 08:55
I have read your articles in the food section and I have an inflammation diet book but I am just looking for a simple list of the do's and don'ts. I am sure it is all common sense but is there a list of this kind? I can't stand the pain anymore.
Rosa Hernandes
07 May 2009, 12:25
I have breast cancer i will like to no what food i have to eat
meo
06 May 2009, 18:32
yo quiero saber que alimentos debo comer o hebitar tengo arthritis reumatica mi medico no me a puesto una dieta pero yo noto ciertos alimentos me causan dolor e inflemasion gracias por su ayuda
cassandragolden
16 Apr 2009, 12:09
Where can I find a list of foods. including but not limited to fish and seafood, that are a source of omega 3s What about omega 6 and 9?
Jo
12 Mar 2009, 16:46
My doctor's told me to start taking fish oil, and I thought it was for my heart.
However, I found out there is a miracle in fish oil.
I have been on the fish oil about six months taking one thousand mg three times a day, and with in the six months my Sed rate which is the inflamation has dropped from 45 down to 20. This is the first time it has been down this low since 1992.
This all took place while I was on fish oil, and the rheumatologist is not for sure but I believe it is the fish oil.

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