Joint Pain in Dogs - 5 Things You Can Do to Help!

To witness joint pain in dogs is never pleasant. If your dog has joint pain, I'm very sorry. The limping, whining, and licking of the affected joint are tell-tale signs that your dog may be experience symptoms of arthritis. Whether your dog is full blown arthritic or is simply experiencing joint discomfort, the following five steps are guaranteed to help...

Joint Pain In Dogs - 5 Things You Can Do To Help:

1. Massage the muscles surrounding the affected joint(s). Take a minute or two to relieve your dog's discomfort with a nice deep massage. Never actually rub on the joint itself. Simply lay your dog down and massage all the major muscles around the joint.



2. Acupressure works wonders. While your dog is still lying down, firmly squeeze his/her akeela's heel using your thumb and middle finger. Do this for about a minute and watch your dog immediately relax. This is pure bliss for your little buddy!



3. Change dog food. A high quality dog food high in natural glucosamine will work miracles for your dog. Do NOT overlook the importance of glucosamine in your dog's diet! It is critical to maintain healthy cartilage. The food you buy may be a little more expensive, but it will save you a fortune in vet bills down the road. And your dog will thank you heartily for it!



4. Keep your dog active. While this may sound counter-intuitive, it is actually extremely important. If your dog lounges around all day, a couple things will happen. First, your dog's joints will dry up, worsening the situation radically. Movement keeps the joints lubricated. Second, your dog could gain weight. It's been shown time after time that the heavier the dog, the worse the joint problem. Rigorous exercise could cause more problems, but a nice walk or jog for a few minutes each day can keep your dog healthy.



5. Avoid medications. Even if they're supposedly made for your pet, they can do way more harm than good, as toxicity can develop very easily. Instead, opt for a homeopathic supplement that specifically treats joint pain in dogs. If the supplement also reduces swelling, promotes flexibility and lubrication, and does away with joint stiffness, you and your dog are WAY ahead of the game!

Wobble Boards - Do They Work?

The short answer to this question is yes! We all know that physical exercises do wonders for losing weight and keeping in shape. Wobble boards do work and here are just a few things that they can help you with.

Balance - Perfecting your balance can do wonders for just about every part of your body. Keeping your balance takes the coordination of many different muscles and working them all together can have some great benefits. You will find that having a good balance is the core to many other exercises and sports and something as simple as using a wobble board can really help you sharpen your balance skills.

Toning your midsection - Let's face it, everyone wants to work on their midsection. It is the most common "problem area". You could go through a huge exercise routine to target specific areas. You can do one exercise to work your abs and another for your butt and then a third for your inner thighs. By the time your done, you are tired, sore and your muscles will soon be getting stiff. Using a wobble board focuses on all of those areas at once without all of the drawbacks of getting sore and tired.

Joint Injuries - Doctors have been using balance boards to help speed up recovery with many joint related injuries. It is a proven fact that wobble boards can help speed up recovery on many common joint problems and injuries.

They really do work wonders and not only will they help you lose weight and shape your muscles but they offer something that you do not find with other exercises. They are fun!

It might be a little tricky at first but once you get the hang of it you will be balancing your way to a thinner healthier you!

Prevent Glaucoma, Cataracts, and Macular Degeneration With Proper Nutrition and Lifestyle Choices

Do you remember your great aunt hunching over the morning paper with a big magnifying glass in her hand? What was it like when you helped both of your parents as they recovered from cataracts surgery? Do you wonder if you'll end up just like your older brother, always passing the menu to one of the kids because you never remember to bring your reading glasses into the restaurant? You might think that it's inevitable that you'll inherit the family's "bad eyes" too and your sight will only get worse as you get older.

That's not necessarily the case. While genetics does play a role in your susceptibility to certain eye diseases, the health of the eyes themselves is largely determined by the way you take care of them and by your approach to your overall health. The food you eat, the amount of exercise you get, and the level of stress that you experience all influence the quality of your eyesight.

There seems to be a broadly held perception that eye disease is unavoidable. Though people will work hard to control their weight and cholesterol, they tend to have a "what will be will be" attitude about their eyes. The majority believe that if there is any hope of saving their sight at all, surgery is the only option. There are numerous peer-reviewed studies that show clearly that these eye conditions can respond to proper diet, lifestyle adaptations, and nutritional supplementation, and that people can preserve their vision.

Below is an outline of how proper nutrition can help you prevent and treat three common eye conditions that have come to be associated with aging. Here's a basic summary of a vision healthy diet and lifestyle: Focus on eating vegetables (especially leafy greens), whole grains, eggs, and lean meats. Drink plenty of fresh, filtered water. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine, sugar, dairy, and toxic fats. Get a regular dose of exercise (at least 20 minutes of aerobic activity four times per week) and find a positive outlet for stress through practices like yoga or meditation.

1) Glaucoma - What is it? It is known as the "silent thief" because most people do not know they have the disease until it has progressed significantly and vision is severely compromised. If left untreated, glaucoma can result in tunnel vision, and, in the worst case, leave you completely blind. Because of the insidious nature of this disease it is essential that you make your annual visit to the doctor for a complete eye exam; the tests for glaucoma are simple and painless.

Who gets it? About one in fifty Americans over age forty has glaucoma, and it is sure to become even more common population ages. Both Hispanic and African Americans are at high risk for developing the disease - between 17 and 20 times more likely than their white counterparts. Those who are obese or suffer from arthritis or high blood pressure are also likely candidates.

What to do about it? Eat a diet high in vitamin C (citrus fruits, red peppers and tomatoes); omega-3 fatty acids (flax seed oil and cold water fish like salmon, mackerel); and magnesium (nuts, seeds, vegetables, seafood and soy products). It can be helpful to take any of the above as well as ginkgo biloba in the form of nutritional supplements. Also, drink plenty of water, but, instead of flooding the system with a few huge glasses now and then, drink 4 ounces every half hour for a total of 16 small glasses daily. This allows for maximum hydration and tissue cleansing and saves the kidneys from working overtime.

2) Macular Degeneration - What is it? This one is the heavy hitter, causing more cases of irreversible blindness more than any other disease. Central vision - essential to nearly all aspects of life as you know it - is affected when certain cells in the retina's macula begin to break down. There is no cure at this time, but natural remedies can be instrumental in slowing this disease's progress.

Who gets it? Women, smokers (the risk is elevated by 200-300%), those with uncontrolled high blood pressure, and people with digestive issues who cannot properly absorb nutrients from their food are most susceptible to macular degeneration.

What to do about it? The antioxidant power of the cartenoids lutein and zeaxanthin is key to the prevention and even the improvement of this debilitating disease. Load up on your leafy greens, including spinach, kale and collards. Also helpful to those concerned about macular degeneration: the antioxidants in bilberry (also available in blueberries and huckleberries); taurine (eggs, fish, and meats); and zinc (meats, oysters, and whole grains).

3) Cataracts - What are they? Free radicals are the natural byproduct of metabolism. They cause a phenomenon called oxidation - a process you are more likely to call "aging." Arteries harden, joints get creaky, and the eyes begin to cloud with cataracts as these free radicals accumulate over time.

Who gets them? Smokers, people with food allergies (especially wheat, dairy, and soy), diabetes patients, and those who drink more than seven drinks per week all run a higher risk of developing cataracts. That said, all sorts of people develop them: cataract removal is the most common surgical procedure covered by Medicare with 600,000 cases per year.

What to do about them? Glutathione is a compound found in the body that is composed of several amino acids; boost your levels with eggs, broccoli, avocados, garlic, onions, and cauliflower. Vitamin C is helpful in this case too, so all the more reason to add citrus fruits, tomatoes, and red peppers to your grocery cart.

The years will tick by, and, some signs of aging will be inescapable, but you can exert some control over whether eye disease is part of your experience. It's in your power to age gracefully, just like that nice bottle of red wine you set in your grocery cart beside all of those nice, eye health promoting foods.

Natural Cure for Joint Pains and Osteoarthritis

If you are currently suffering from joint pains, osteoporosis and other joint-related diseases, then you are part of the 140-million statistics in the United States.

According to a study conducted by Maryland Medical Center, osteoarthritis or a condition wherein a joint cartilage degenerates is common among individuals reaching the age of 45 and this condition may continue to worsen as they age. While these conditions have become usual, the pains can be bothersome. This has also lead several patients to seek for natural cure for joint pains and osteoarthritis, such as Fast Joint Care+.

Fast Joint Care+ Product Details

Fast Joint Care+ is a revolution that relieves several types of joint pains as well as improves flexibility and considerable amount of stiffness in the joints.

Fast Joint Care+ features:

繚 Fast-acting effects. Relief can be felt in as fast as 7 days.

繚 Aside from relieving symptoms, it also helps improve over-all and long-term joint health.

繚 You only need to take one capsule a day.

繚 Its main ingredient, Natural Eggshell Membrane or NEM簧 is proven good supplement for the joints. This enables the body to build flexibility and mobility due to Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and other proteins essential to build and improve joint health.

The NEM簧 Advantage

The main advantage of NEM簧 is its source. It comes from natural eggshell membrane, which means natural cure for joint pains and osteoarthritis.

According to two clinical studies published in the US National Library of Medicine, NEM簧 is a possible natural supplement for those suffering from joint and connective tissue disorders. A 500mg NEM簧 can work as fast as one week, and when taken consistently within a month, significant improvements in joints can already be observed.

What NEM簧's components do:

The clinical studies on NEM簧's components also revealed that Glucosamine and chondroitin together with methylsulfonylmethane has been largely used as relief for joint pains brought along by osteoarthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin are popular for their support for cartilage matrix.

Hyraulonic acid and fucose are components often lacking among osteoarthritis patients; complement the proper functioning of joint tissues and serve as cushion for cartilages.

Dermatan sulfate is reported to have important roles of holding collagen and supports the structure of cartilage tissues.

No side effects

Because of the natural ingredients found on Fast Joint Care+, there are no side effects and it is a natural cure for joint pain relief and osteoarthritis. And because it is derived from a natural source, a patient is also less prone to allergies.

Fast Joint Care+is a good food supplement especially for aging people and those who live a highly active lifestyle. When excessive force is put into the joints due to strenuous activities, the aging process of the tissues may also increase. Taking Fast Joint Care+ could be of relief, however, it is still best to consult your doctor before doing anything with your body.

Sciatica and the Sacroiliac Joint

The sacroiliac joint is the location where your pelvic bones articulate with the sacrum. If you look at someone from behind you will notice a divot or dimple on either side of the spine in the low back above the buttocks. This point is called the PSIS or Posterior Superior Iliac Spine. The sacroiliac joint lies deep to this landmark. When things are functioning properly the two pelvic bones rotate very slightly at this joint when we walk.

If you have injured this joint the deep pelvic muscles that surround the joint will react by increasing their tone and will in turn restrict the rotational movement that would normally be there. In the short term this is probably a good coping mechanism for the body to deal with an acute joint injury as it essentially eliminates any stress to the articular surfaces. However in the longer term, when things don't return to normal biomechanic movement patterns, pain and abnormal movement can persist.

The pain that can arise from this joint is often mistaken for sciatica.

True sciatica is caused by pressure or irritation to the sciatic nerve. The nerve is made up nerve roots that exit the spinal canal in the lumbar spine. Pressure or irritation to this nerve can cause pain down the back of your leg.

There are a few ways to distinguish between true sciatica and sacroiliac pain.True sciatica can be felt all the way down the back of the leg past the knee and sometimes includes pain to the toes. Sacroiliac leg pain typically doesn't travel past the knee. Another distinguishing feature is pain that predominates on one side over the region of the PSIS. This one sided low back pain almost always presents on the same side as the "pseudo sciatica".

There is an easy test that one can try at home to distinguish sacroiliac pain from sciatica. Get a partner to stand behind you with their hands on your hips. Bend forward and then straighten back to the original upright position. If there is mechanical pain in the low back, this movement usually provokes it. Now to distinguish between sciatica and sacroiliac joint pain do the same movement but get your partner to stabilize your hips by blocking movement at the hip. As you bend forward your hip should be pulled tight to your partners leg or hip to prevent forward rotation of your hip. If done correctly this maneuver will either provoke your back pain or make it better depending on which problem is the cause. If the forward bending movement is much less painful when the hip movement is blocked it suggests that the sacroiliac joint is the source. If it greatly increases the pain, it points to lumbar disc issues that can cause sciatica.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is one of the most common disorders seen in a chiropractic office. Chiropractors are well trained to recognize this condition and should be considered when considering treatment options.

Arthritis Pain Relief Creams Eliminate the Dreaded Horse Pills

Arthritis Pain Relief Creams are either gels, patches, lotions or cream. They are applied directly to the painful location by rubbing the product on the skin. What worries a lot of people is the fact that they don't know the difference between arthritis pain and the simple muscle aches and pains. Understand that pain relief gels target different parts of your body and make sure you don't use ben-gay on arthritis joint pain because it targets muscles aches and pains, not arthritis pain.

These products are rubbed onto the skin for arthritis pain relief, which means the deliverability of pain relief will be much faster than trying to swallow a pill and waiting for your digestive system to distribute it to the needed areas. The skin will absorb the cream and allow it to penetrate into deeper layers which then are absorbed into the blood stream.

Ingestible products are absorbed into the blood stream through the walls of the stomach and intestines. Arthritis patients will use one of three different pain relief creams.

The 3 categories are:

• counterirritants


• topical analgesics


• capsaicin.

*Counterirritants

Counterirritants will either make your skin feel warm or cold. The reason they are called counterirritants is because the ingredients will irritate your skin. This hot or cold feeling you get from applying the product to your skin will distract you from the arthritis pain giving you temporary relief.

*Topical analgesics

The best way to describe topical analgesics is to think of it this way: rubbing aspirin into your skin. By rubbing these ingredients into your skin it acts like an anti-inflammatory agent thus reducing the inflammation in the joint.

*Capsaicin

Capsaicin ingredients work extremely fast and will give you a burning sensation. If you have arthritic joints close to the skin (fingers,toes) they will benefit greatly from the use of capsaicin. These creams, lotions and gels work extremely well because they usually contain substance P. This is part of your nervous system and substance P blocks the pain receptors and tricks the brain into thinking everything is A-OK.

In our opinion the arthritis pain relief creams you should be looking at will do the following:

1. counterbalance free radicals

2. assist in healing blood vessels, muscle tissues and cartilage

3. lower inflammation

4. reduce stiffness and aches connected to joint pain.

The arthritis cream products that are found over the counter usually help in one or two areas but it is hard to find one product that can help in all areas to help reduce arthritis joint pain. A couple of ingredients that work well together is Bryonia alba 6x and Rhus toxicodendron 6x.

The two products help reduce stiffness and aches in both muscles and joints . These two products have been used for many years in therapeutic applications at various health related offices and therapy units. We have reached a level of comfort with an occasional day of pain because we have followed this model:

• nutritional supplements


• diet, exercise


• rest

The days that it reaches higher levels of pain, we simply reach for our arthritis pain relief creams and rub it on.

Kind of like that old commercial: "a little dab will do ya".

Both internal and external arthritis products use can greatly assist in reducing your arthritis pain.

Warning: not all products will help you reduce your arthritis pain, but unless you give them a try you will never know. Arthritis pain relief creams do help a lot of people reduce muscle and joint pain but success rates vary. Best wishes to you and your arthritis pain.

Fish Oil Supplements in the Treatment of Arthritis

The term 'arthritis' describes a wide range of diseases that affect the joints. Osteoarthritis, also referred to as degenerative arthritis, is by far the most common form. Inflammatory arthritis is a general term for many different arthritic diseases in which the specific joints are inflamed.

Generally, all forms of arthritis, which in addition to osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis caused by gout or infection, septic arthritis, reactive arthritis and Reiter's syndrome, are characterized by joint pain, swelling and stiffness, and a reduced range of motion in a joint. Chronic dietary deficiencies in which such vital nutrients as vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids inhibit the body's ability to repair the damage caused by stress in the joints, injuries, repetitive motions or the relentlessness of aging. Being overweight also contributes to the problem, as it puts inordinate stresses on the weight-bearing joints. Lack of exercise is another problem.

Because of the great number of people afflicted by this condition - over 40 million Americans alone - there is always a number of ongoing clinical laboratory trials, and continuous research by drug companies, hospitals, and universities to find ways of curing the disease or ameliorating its effects. There are also any number of companies selling cures of all kinds. It can be a daunting task to separate fact from hype. Where lies the truth?

We'll take a look at the benefits of fish oil supplements, one of the more well-tested and proven remedies which works to relieve the pain of arthritis by reducing the inflammation that causes the flare-ups. For sufferers, there is some encouraging evidence from a number of independent laboratory studies, animal studies, and clinical trials about the potential usefulness of fish oil, or omega-3 supplements, for various aspects of arthritis and the joint pain that characterizes it.

Fish Oil - Its Potential

The pain of, for example, Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to result, at least in part, from an over activity of the inflammatory agents found in Arachidonic Acid. Arachidonic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that the body uses to synthesize regulatory molecules. It is a form of Omega 6 fatty acid, which is a good fat and is essential to good overall health. It does, however, play a central role in the inflammation related to many chronic conditions. Individuals suffering from joint pains or active inflammatory disease may find that increased consumption of arachidonic acid (various vegetable oils are excellent sources of it) exacerbates their symptoms, the likely reason being that more of it is readily converted into inflammatory compounds.

Fish oil is comprised of the Omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA which are well documented to have anti-inflammatory properties. Balancing Omega 6 fats with more Omega 3 fats will significantly reduce the amount of inflammation in your body. The main ingredients of fish oils are also reputed to reduce the chances of breast, colon and prostate cancer where the fatty acids may halt the development of a cancerous mass from healthy cells, inhibit cell growth and cause the death of cancer cells. Though less well studied, there is also evidence that fish oil may be instrumental in preventing certain types of depression including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder. It may also helpful in treatment of the Huntington's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus and other inflammatory conditions.

It is difficult to get therapeutic amounts of fish oil by eating fish alone. Most dietitians will recommend that the consumption of fish be limited to a maximum of two 3-ounce servings of fish a week. Fish is a very protein-rich food, and a high intake of proteins has been shown to cause high levels of uric acid - the prime culprit in the arthritis-like condition known as gout. Gout is a most painful condition which is specifically related to elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream which ultimately crystallize and get deposited in cartilage, joints, tendons and surrounding tissues. Eating some fresh fish, though, is definitely worthwhile since it is a healthy choice. Not surprisingly, the same types of fish which, when eaten fresh are also the best sources of the essential dietary fish oil, are also the best sources for making fish oil supplements. These include cold-water fish such as salmon, cod, mackerel, halibut, tuna, and herring. So, since diet alone is not the best source of getting the recommended amount of fish oil, other dietary steps and supplements that reduce uric acid should be considered because they provide the omega-3 without providing the protein. There are benefits of fish oil in treating all types of the disease, because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Clinical trials (randomized) have demonstrated that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who include a daily omega-3 supplement in their regimen experience reduced pain, less morning stiffness and improved joint motility. They were also able to reduce the amount of NSAID drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs they were taking, thereby lessening the damaging effect on the liver that those drugs have been known to cause.

The Type of Fish Oil is Also Important

Many people are looking for an arthritis treatment that is both safe and also effective. Fish oil is worthy of attention, but with such a proliferation of different brands on the shelves, which types are worth consideration? Not just any fish oil will be effective. Make sure that any brand you purchase is ultra-refined to remove the impurities and toxins which are absorbed through fish skin such as mercury, PCBs, and lead. The product should also be rich in omega 3 fatty acids, particularly in ones called DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid). Research has shown that DHA and EPA have more anti-inflammatory properties than the other essential fatty acids.

Both DHA and EPA inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are a vast classification of proteins, some good, some bad, that are produced by the body and serve as chemical messengers between cells. They interact with the cells of the immune system to regulate both inflammatory responses, such as seen in arthritis sufferers, as well as the body's response to infective agents and diseases. DHA and EPA inhibit the inflammatory function of the cytokines by binding themselves to the target immune cells to disrupt their harmful effects.

Several independent tests have shown that a dietary supplement of fish oils (DHA and EPA) rich in Omega 3 fatty acids can result in a significant lessening of chronic pain and joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers by markedly reducing interleukin-1 beta (which is one of the pro-inflammatory cytokines) creation. They have a positive effect on the immune system and do not foster unwanted side effects such as those seen with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Omega 3 fish oil is only an effective arthritis treatment if it has a high level of anti-inflammatory activity in the body. Consumers are able to find out from the manufacturers themselves what the level of anti-inflammatory is in their products, because the producers can have the level of anti-inflammatory ingredient accurately measured.

Besides being an effective anti-inflammatory, fish oils offer many other health benefits. We know that fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. We also know that fish oil lowers blood trigylceride (fats that circulate in the blood stream, the 'bad cholesterol'), thereby protecting against heart disease and reducing high blood pressure. Fish oil may be valuable as well in the treatment of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease), which starts with inflammation of the artery wall. Fish oil, too, appears to stabilize certain arterial plaques that build up and can sometimes break loose to initiate heart attacks and strokes. Because persons afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis have a significantly increased risk for developing atherosclerosis, the potential benefit of fish oil is doubled.

Some rheumatoid arthritis sufferers using fish oil supplements may be able to use it as an effective alternative to the prescription drugs VIOXX and Celebrex without having a flare-up of joint pain in their disease. Researchers have shown that long-term supplementation with fish oils may really benefit rheumatoid arthritis patients and can, indeed, lessen their need for the aforementioned prescription arthritis treatments.

If you choose to use fish oil supplement for relief of arthritis pain, it is important to use a pharmaceutical grade of the product, since inferior grades of fish oil may have contaminants and lower levels of DHA, EPA and omega-3 fatty acids. Current research suggests that lower grade fish oils with high levels of chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may actually reduce or eliminate the positive effects of DHA, EPA and omega-3 fatty acids.

We know with great certainty that fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. We know, too, that fish oil lowers blood trigylceride (fats that circulate in the blood stream), protecting against heart disease and reducing high blood pressure.

Dosage Recommendations

Although, as mentioned earlier, it's difficult to get a therapeutic dose of fish oil from food alone, for general health two 3-ounce servings of fish a week are recommended. To treat arthritis-related conditions, use fish oil capsules with at least 30 percent EPA/ DHA, the active ingredients. For rheumatoid arthritis, up to 2.6 g fish oil (1.6 g EPA) twice a day.

For mild pain, a supplement that provides 1000mg of omega3s per day should be effective. Hand pain, general stiffness or redness and inflammation, are signs that more help is needed and the dosage can be increased.

For severe pain, up to 3 grams of fish oil once per day can help to reduce joint inflammation. If, to that dosage you add a bit of olive oil, you may experience less morning stiffness. Fish oil comes in a variety of preparations. The most common is gel caps. Each gel cap should contain at least thirty per cent EPA/DHA, which are the active compounds.

For rheumatoid arthritis about 2.6 grams of fish oil containing 1.6 grams of EPA should be taken twice a day. Fish oil works by reducing inflammation and there is not, thus far, convincing evidence to suggest that fish oil can, in any significant way, retard the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. To the extent that it may help, the effect, if it exists, is relatively mild.

Still, there are those who rely on data from at least a few randomized double-controlled studies which have demonstrated a beneficial effect of dietary fish oil in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. More than nine studies overall have shown statistically significant reductions which have relived symptoms of joints soreness.

In many of these studies, patients were able to lower the amount of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids. One study suggested that combining fish oil with olive oil may enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of fish oil. In some people, the high amounts of omega-3s that are present in fish oil can increase the risk of bleeding or can affect the time it takes blood to clot. If a person is taking drugs that affect bleeding or is going to have surgery, this is of special concern. Fish oil supplements interact with medicines for high blood pressure, so taking them together might lower a person's blood pressure too much.

Caveats

Certain species of fish can contain high levels of contaminants such as mercury due to environmental pollution. Using the oils from contaminated fish could pose a health risk, especially for pregnant or nursing women and for children. People fitting these descriptions may want to avoid eating cold water fish because of the danger of mercury toxicity. Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish are the species of fish that the Federal Government has found to have the highest levels of mercury. Anyone who makes the decision to use fish oil in the treatment of arthritis symptoms should look for products made from species of fish with demonstrated lower levels of mercury. They should also only purchase pharmaceutical grade supplements, which are refined to remove impurities. Government information on this topic is available in the form of two Federal publications called "Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish" and "What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish: Advice for Women Who Might Become Pregnant, Women Who Are Pregnant, Nursing Mothers, and Young Children." These tracts are available online and are co-published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

It is also a good idea to examine whether the manufacturer of the fish oil supplement does its own testing on the product for the presence of contaminating substances and to see whether the results of those tests are available.

Another noteworthy point about the safety of fish oil products is that certain supplements may contain in their list of ingredients a product called fish liver oil. This substance may well contain a higher dosage of vitamin A than is recommended as a daily dosage. For some individuals this could be a potential source of problems. Also, some patients with blood disorders who have been prescribed an anticoagulant therapy with the drug warfarin may notice their clotting times will become erratic.

Generally though, for low doses of fish oil supplements, the side effects are mild and can include gastrointestinal symptoms including gas, belching, stomach disturbances, and nausea. Others have also reported diarrhea, spontaneous nosebleeds and sores in the nostrils. These symptoms are not common and may be indicative of other medical conditions unrelated to arthritis.

Final Notes

In addition to the obvious benefits of including a fish oil supplement in the diet to offset the symptoms of arthritis, there are lifestyle changes which could affect an even greater positive outcome in the treatment of the pain associated with swollen joints. Losing weight and performing any of a series of special exercises specifically designed to reduce joint stiffness and improve overall flexibility can be of great help. Addressing those lifestyle issues is a good first step. Just be aware that most of the conventional treatments for arthritis include taking pain relieving drugs, which do not actually address the root cause of the joint soreness problem and most of them have been proven to be detrimental to liver function. Certain pharmaceuticals such as VIOXX, Bextra, Celebrex and other COX-2 inhibitors negatively affect the heart, as well.

But, there is no doubt that omega 3 fish oil is highly beneficial to your overall health. At the very least, it should be considered as a complementary addition to any other arthritis treatment. It has been recommended as an essential component to a heart healthy diet for many years. Its omega 3 fatty acids can be absorbed easily and the EPA and DHA have proven to play a very crucial role in development of normal brain cell activity, proper functioning of nervous system, as a protection against heart diseases (by reducing the fatty deposits in arteries) and can even contribute to better eyesight, decrease dryness in the eyes and help to stop the inevitable decline in eyesight that comes with the increasing age.

Eating fresh fish is a great way for the body to get enough fatty acids, but to get the maximum advantage of its benefits, the concentrated fish oil available as a supplement represents the most efficient and easily digestible alternative.

In summary, choose a high quality pharmaceutical grade, preferably molecularly distilled fish oil supplement. Although a bit more expensive, you can be assured of receiving the most benefits from an already proven source of treatment for the effects of joint pain and stiffness.