OA and fish oil capsules

knuckleduster

In the Good Health section of the D---- M--- yesterday there was an article by a Professor Whatsit about fish oil supplements. In his opinion fish oil supplements have no benefits for OA sufferers and we would be better off eating two portions of fish a week (which I do). They also contain calories which I can now use as an excuse for not shifting my excess weight
So, have I been wasting my money over the years and deriving no benefit whatsoever? I've been taking them thinking they improve my joint mobility and protecting my heart.

What are your views?

Beautiful day here today in Essex. Just come back from my afternoon walk just wearing a jumper and I'm boiling.

Janet x

barbara12

Hi Janet
I am another that has taken fish oils for a couple of years now, but the joints are know better in fact they are getting worse by the day...and I do eat fish...so dont know were this leaves me.. :roll:

dreamdaisy

I regularly eat oily fish but don't bother with the capsules as they do nothing for auto-types of arthritis and my OA is too far gone. I try to remember to take my calcium tablets (with addded Vit D) as my rheumatologist tells me they are of more value. Maybe the placebo effect is worth considering - they are a natural med, they won't do harm and they may make you feel a little more in control of what is happening with your joints. DD

villier

janet never taken fish oil as i eat fish a lot, so can't really cmment i'm afraid........been raining here on and off but very mild ..........marie xx

kentishlady

Hi all. Yes, I saw article too. I have been taking the capsules for some while. I try to eat Fish at least once a week but thought they would help supplement. Not sure what benefit, if any, they have on my OA. They're supposed to help 'Heart and Mind' too?! Maybe I'll ditch them once have finished the current supply. I tried Glucosamine which is also supposed to help but didn't find that of any benefit either. Maybe someone, somewhen and somewhere will come up with something that does help us all one day Now wouldn't that be lovely! Beryl

Fitzroy

This seems to be the case for many supplements. I used to take quite a few and slowly stopped as the benefits were dubious at best. Eat well seems to be the best solution by far. I took fish oil for quite a couple of years and can't say there is any real benefit from it. Same with Glucosamine and the rest of the "cures".

ShulaArcher

Hello

I've just had a look through the booklet Diet and Arthritis produced by (are we allowed to mention this?) Arthritis Research UK. The section on "Foods and supplements that might help" is quite lengthy and not straightforward. It would be worth reading it. Apparently, "some foods and food supplements really can help with arthritis, although the effects are fairly specific to the type of arthritis you have. Omega-3 polyunstaurated fatty acids have been shown to help some people with inflammatory types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis." There's a lot more about this, together with cautions about fish liver oils and possible side effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Also, info on glucosamine and possible side-effects.

Shula

knuckleduster

Well, the benefits or non benefits of supplements is certainly a minefield.
What may help one may not help another and I suppose when it comes down to it all we can do is keep to a varied healthy diet. But what do you do when your own doctor advises you to take a supplement?

Janet x

stickywicket

If he's prepared to prescibe it, take it on the 'if it does no good it'll do no harm' basis. (And if the GP is suggesting it, he knows what meds you're on.) I haven't seen the article but it would depend on how big a survey the Prof has used. For early OA fish oils have traditionally been regarded as useful though I doubt they'd help much once it's really got a grip. I eat plenty of oily fish anyway - tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines etc are all good but I'd be surprised if white fish was regarded in the same bracket.

rockchick

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/complementary-therapies/authoritative-report/rheumatoid-arthritis/fish-body-oil.aspx

There is in fact strong evidence to show that fish BODY oils can help with inflammatory arthritis. Not to be confused with fish LIVER oils.