Arthritis is a condition that seems to have an ancient history. And now, after medical professionals have spent centuries developing newer and better treatments, one arthritis remedy seems to hold certain archaic qualities.

There are more than one hundred different types of arthritis, most sharing similar chronic and painful symptoms. Patients suffer with swelling of the affected area, morning stiffness, sharp and throbbing pain, localized or widespread pain, and loss of mobility ranging from mild to severe.

Just as arthritis presents itself in many different forms, patients are able to benefit from a wide range of treatment options. Modern arthritis treatments vary from conventional medicinal therapies, to alternative drug-free methods including specialized yoga. Every arthritis case is unique, so each treatment method may not bring relief to every patient.

There has recently been an interesting shift affecting the way that doctors treat patients with arthritis. While natural medicine becomes mainstream, alternative treatment methods are more readily available and accepted. The use of fish oil is one particular trend that is exciting doctors and nutritionists alike.

It's widely understood that fish oil is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two types of omega-3 fatty acids. Both are highly respected and well documented for their abilities to reduce the inflammation caused by arthritis. The strong anti-inflammatory properties in these acids make fish oil a natural choice for arthritis sufferers. And, naturally, patients have questions. Can fish oil really be considered a treatment for arthritis? If so, does it actually relieve pain?

Most alternative medicine therapies are relatively new and, as a result, can lack the sufficient medical and scientific research needed to provide definite proof. As such, fish oil has yet to be proven effective in clinical trials. However, early research findings are encouraging.

Recent laboratory studies and clinical trials have suggested that because the omega-3 structure of fish oil makes it helpful in reducing the morning muscle stiffness and joint pain suffered by so many arthritis patients. Researchers have not yet determined the appropriate dosage required for maximum effectiveness, or the appropriate durations of fish oil treatment programs.

There are potential side effects that patients should be aware of, before embarking on a fish oil treatment regime:

Blood Clotting

Fish oil has, in some cases, created risks by affecting the blood's clotting abilities. Some patients have found that taking fish oil supplements affects the time it takes for the blood to clot. It's an important issue to consider, especially for patients already taking medication to affect the clotting of blood.

Reduced Blood Pressure

Some patients taking fish oil supplements have found that the treatment may interact with existing blood pressure medications. If you supplement your diet with fish oil while taking high blood pressure medication, it may cause a significant drop in your blood pressure.

Contaminants

Fish oil can contain significant and potentially dangerous levels of contaminants. Fish contains naturally-occurring mercury, making fish oil a poor choice for some patients. There may be serious risk associated with the consumption of fish oil, particularly to young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. Tuna, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish and shark typically contain the highest levels of mercury.

If you are interested in trying fish oil for arthritis but worried about the risks, search for oils from fishes that tend to be lower in mercury. You'll have to do a bit of digging to find this information, but the results are worth the efforts.

Patients should be aware of other possible concerns before starting fish oil therapy for arthritis. Other side effects associated with taking the supplements, such as gas and other stomach disturbances, are usually relatively minor.

Arthritis is not new, but alternative treatment options have promised new relief for patients. Seek the advice of a trusted herbalist or medical practitioner to learn more about fish oil and other alternative arthritis treatments.
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