Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Fish Oil
This month we’re putting the lens on joint pain, having spoken already about the importance of friendly gut bacteria, and the use of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.
So, now to Fish Oil, which contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These fats help your health in many ways, from supporting cardiovascular health, to brain and eye health. But did you know they can also play a starring role in reducing joint inflammation?
The body doesn’t make its own omega-3s, so we can only get it through diet or supplementation. Human beings may have evolved our big brains when living by the water’s edge, and it seems we’re perfectly designed to flourish on fish. The main fatty acids that help with inflammation are EPA and DHA, which are rich in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and trout. (1)
“Oily fish are a great addition to a varied diet, however getting good quality or organic fish can be a challenge. Trout raised in a river environment in Denmark are certified organic as the river environment is surrounded by at least 10 kms of organic forestry which ensures chemical or industrial pollution does not enter the river.”, so say Viridian Nutrition when discussing the fish they use in their wonderful Scandinavian Rainbow Trout Oil Capsules.
They also make Vegan EPA DHA from marine algae, providing the ideal alternative to fish oil for those who prefer it.
EPA and DHA reduce the release of several elements that produce inflammatory responses from your white blood cells, as well as forming the building blocks for prostaglandins, which regulate your immune system and fight joint inflammation. (2)
Omega-3 supplements may also help keep joints flexible, by nourishing the synovial fluid that lubricates our joints.
With such far-reaching benefits to Omega-3, and the difficulty of getting enough through diet alone, I can see a case for almost anyone giving one of Viridian’s products a go. Just let us know if you’re on any medication, and we’ll find something to suit your needs.
- Harvard Health. Do fish oil supplements reduce inflammation? September 2016.
- versusarthritis.org
