Do you have joint pain? Taking a regiment of fish oil or Omega-3 fatty acids may help. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a recent review of 17 randomized, controlled clinical trials looked at the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in people with joint pain. Results suggested that omega-3 fatty acids, along with conventional therapies, may help relieve joint pain.
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids, meaning you must get them from your diet. The active form of this acid that our body can use is ALA, EPA and DHA. Luckily EPA and DHA are found in a variety of foods. For EPA and DHA, the most common are cold-water fish (salmon, tuna) and for ALA, flaxseed, walnuts and soybeans, to name a few. If you take a supplement, you should look for the ratios of EPA to DHA, not just the total fish oil. Adults should not take over 3g (3000mg) per day, as too much may increase your risk of bleeding.
Inclusion of Omega-3 fatty acids, either through food or supplement form, is an easy and generally safe way to try to improve the pain associated with your injury or just improve your overall health in general.
