The benefits of fish supplements for arthritis

Can fish and fish supplements help your arthritis?  Greenland Inuits were found to have remarkably low levels of heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The beneficial effects of these cold-water fish were attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil.

• Several studies have shown fish oil supplements may offer modest benefits for patients with RA inflammation. But it isn't known yet whether fish oil supplements will benefit people with osteoarthritis — which typically doesn't involve inflammation.
• Even if fish or fish-oil supplements don't help to ease your arthritis symptoms, consuming more fish makes a lot of sense. Studies show that people who eat fish regularly can gain some important health benefits.
• Too much fish or fish oil can interfere with your blood's ability to clot. Excessive intake of fish oil can lead to overdoses of vitamins A and D (especially if you're getting A and D in your vitamin supplements), which can be toxic.

• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), best known of the omega-3 fatty acids, is found in marine plants and fish. EPA is actually made by algae, plankton and seaweed, which are then eaten by certain fish.
• A study of American men found that those eating the most fish were about 40 percent less likely to die from a heart attack or clot-caused stroke over a six to eight year period than men who consumed the least fish. Also, researchers have found that the omega-3s in fatty fish are important for vision, nerve and immune function, and possibly for protection against some cancers.
• The bottom line: All fish contain some omega-3 fatty acids. But to maximize your intake, choose oily cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel. Eating cold-water fish two or three times a week should help your overall health and could be of some help for your arthritis.