Health trends

Omega-3 for joint care

According to the United States (US) Arthritis Foundation, nearly one in two people will develop painful knee osteoarthritis over their lifetime, with the highest risk among those who are obese. The study underscores the immediate need for awareness and may help people understand what they can do to reduce the tremendous pain and potential disability caused from arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, currently affects more than 27 million people in the US and an estimated 67 million people in total will be affected by 2030. Osteoarthritis can affect all joints within the body but when it affects the knee it is more likely to cause a range of symptoms, including pain, stiffness and lim-ited joint function.

Research findings have in-dicated glucosamine and omega-3 can help reduce the affects of knee arthritis. The results of a recent study have proven that glucosamine treatment significantly slows or may even prevent total joint replacement for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Omega-3 has also been shown to help keep joints and muscles flexible by slowing down cartilage degradation and reducing joint pain and inflammation.

Omega-3 is made up of the nutrients EPA and DHA which are not produced naturally by the body and, therefore, must be obtained through diet. The richest levels of omega-3 can be found in oily fish such as salmon, sardines and herring. However, as many people do not like the taste or even the cooking of oily fish, taking a cod liver oil or fish oil supplement, which is also naturally rich in omega-3, can be an excellent alternative.

Source: Seven Seas