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Supplement Guide: Fish Oil

Origin: Oil from cold-water fish such as mackerel, salmon, herring, tuna, halibut and cod.

Dosage: Fish, capsules or chewable tablets. For general health, two 3-ounce servings of fish a week are recommended. However, it’s difficult to get a therapeutic dose of fish oil from food alone. To treat arthritis-related conditions, use fish oil capsules with at least 30 percent EPA/ DHA, the active ingredients. For lupus and psoriasis, 2 g EPA/DHA three times a day. For Raynaud’s phenomenon, 1 g four times a day. For rheumatoid arthritis, up to 2.6 g fish oil (1.6 g EPA) twice a day.

Claims: Reduces inflammation and morning stiffness. Treats rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, depression and Raynaud’s phenomenon. Important for brain function and may inhibit RA development.

What we know: Fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. Fish oil lowers blood trigylceride (fats that circulate in the bloodstream), protecting against heart disease and reducing high blood pressure.

Studies: An analysis of nine studies of people with rheumatoid arthritis taking omega-3s showed a reduction in the number of tender joints but no reduction in joint damage. In six studies, people with rheumatoid arthritis were able to reduce their dosages of NSAIDs or corticosteroids. A 2005 study of people with RA showed enhanced positive effects when fish oil supplements were used in combination with olive oil.

Women who are pregnant or hoping to conceive should avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish, and should eat no more than 8 ounces of albacore tuna each month, due to potentially dangerous levels of mercury. Fish oil supplements at normal doses are safe. Look for brands that follow good manufacturing practices and contain fish oils without mercury.

margarita

13 Feb 2010, 12:04

desde hace años dosd el médico me diagnostico psoriasis, algo que para mi en todo el tiempo que aparecia en mis codos lo ignoraba. El caso es que la mantengo controlada en esta perte de mi cuerpo pero tomo dos dosis diarias de matrotaxate, Durante todo este tiempo pues la Artritis esta emezando a manos deformar y mis munecas con el consiguiente dolor. Mi pregunta es que tan malos y Cuáles Son Los Efectos secundarios de esta medicina para una persona como yo que tiene parientes de linea materna con cáncer?

Deb

29 Jan 2010, 15:20

My rheumatologist prescribed Lovaza, a prescription fish oil supplement, because I have fibromyalgia and she is concerned about strength and contaminants in over-the-counter fish oils. It does increase my nosebleeds a little bit but it definitely helps the inflammation I have in my hands and feet. I can't take any other anti-inflammatory medicines because of bleeding. I do also take a teaspoon of mustard every night to prevent muscle spasms (and also to treat them if I do get them). I also put turmeric on many things, always on salads.

Mae Jones

15 Jan 2010, 09:15

My son encouraged me to buy Salba, it is a suppliment of omega 3 and fiber, have you heard of it?

Sandy

11 Jan 2010, 17:48

ADRIANAG...I didn't know until I had my first knee replacement surgery that fish oil can cause bleeding in people who are prone to it. All fish oil and other supplements have to be discontinued on my doctor's orders two weeks before surgery. I'm prone to bleeding easily, so I asked the pharmicist about it. Ask your doctor or pharmicist for the best advice if it gives you nosebleeds. I can't take any anti-inflammatories for that reason...nosebleeds and bleeding under my skin. Ask your doctor.
Hope this helps.

gene

11 Dec 2009, 02:16

I'm a big fan of fish oil! the comments above have been so helpful! my question, what foods work against the auto-immune
system?

ellen

02 Dec 2009, 19:29

What foods cause an auto-immune reaction? I'm new to this and interested in all info.

Tonya

17 Nov 2009, 21:35

I have been taking fish oil for a year. It has really helped my stiffness. I get mine from www.hsn.com. It is the Andrew Lessman line. His capsules do not have any tastes and are all natural. You do have to wait sometimes because it sells out fast.

mahesh talwar

09 Nov 2009, 02:07

Interested in using fish oil for RA, but is it recommended by docs in India/abroad. Also which brands are availble in India/delhi confirming to UK/other european standards.

P Suen

22 Sep 2009, 08:34

I have self diagnosed that I have very early stage RA and checking on the internet to find natural / alternate ways to help myself. First I took the ginger tea and then ginger with melasse, it helped right away, much less morning stiffness. I started taking Evening Primrose oil in August 2009. Don't know the effect yet, I tried stop the ginger once, no, the morning stiffness came back immediately. In September, I was about to take on Fish Oil but don't know the right dose. Thanks Pim Collier and the others, I knew which type of Fish Oil and the dosage 2 times 1.5 g EPA. I start intaking this dosage today. However, I'm only 45kg of weight, I wonder should I take a smaller dose.
I have started the gluten free, dairy free diet, will try and see if I can free of all symtom in 6 months.

adrianag

18 Aug 2009, 10:27

I used fish oil for a number of months and got no ianti-inflammatory relief. I did get soem unpleasant side effects:
1. Diarhhea
2. Spontaneaous nosebleeds
3. Sores in my nostrils

Reducing the dosage did not eliminate the side ffects so I discontinued it.

I am now try Krill Oil from Schiff (MegaRed) and so far have not seen the side effects. It is too early to determine if it helps with inflammation.

I also am using it for heart health as it is supposed to reduce cholesterol counts and C-Reactive Protein.

Carolina

08 Jun 2009, 11:04

Hi! I'm from Argentina. I was diagnosed Raynaud’s phenomenon when I was 16 years old, when I was 25 the doctor told me that it was Psoriasic arthritis , so now (I'm 30 now) I am treated with metrotaxate and hidroxicloroquina sulfato, My question in fact has to do with diet, I don't eat fish at all. but since it is said to be so good for me, I will start eating , I want to know if I have to buy sea or river fish or is it the same?
Thanks!

Kumar

07 Jun 2009, 21:16

I have said this in another section... There is a growing evidence on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids from fish for RA pain relief through anti-inflammatory pathways.

I would recommend a mainstream brand that has won many awards and meets strict international standards. My mom uses Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega with Vitamin D3. Nordic Naturals products meet European Pharmacopia Standard and Norweigian Medicinal Standard (there is unfortunately no standard in the US for fish oils and we have to rely on these other international standards). They also received 5 star rating by a non-profit global organization called IFOS - International fish oil standards based on 3rd party testing for purity, concentration and freshness.

The nice thing about Nordic Naturals is that they are readily available at any of your local vitamin stores or online at authorized retailers such as World of Omega - worldofomega.com.

Pim Collier

10 Mar 2009, 16:53

I was diagnosed with RA last April (2008) and I immediately started seeing a natural medicine doctor. I do find that fish oil makes such a big difference and I would not go a day without taking them. The only brand that I can find which has the closest recommended dosage for RA is "Quixtar Nutrilite" product called "Ocean Essentials Joint Health"...which has 1.5g EPA per serving and I take them twice per day. For me, I've also found that taking Fish Oil in combination with polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) has made a tremendous difference...like night & day. I've been in remission now for 7 months with taking 100mg Celebrex/day & various supplements...and changing the foods that I eat...staying away from foods that causes auto-immune reaction...plus I was able to keep dancing about 6 hours a week. I feel so much better and very hopeful that I can discontinue the use of Celebrex one day. I'm also very thankful & appreciate all the information and guidance that the Arthritis Foundation has provided on this website...it helped me tremendously...a BIG THANK YOU!

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Supplement Guide: Fish Oil

Supplement Guide: Fish Oil

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