2018
What is it?
Fish body oil and fish liver oil are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which can help control your immune system and fight joint inflammation. Fish liver oil is also a rich source of vitamin A (a strong antioxidant) and vitamin D (which is important for maintaining healthy joints)
Evidence suggests that fish body oil can improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Unconfirmed evidence also suggests a combination of fish body and liver oils might also be useful in the long term, particularly in reducing the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). There isn’t enough evidence for the use of fish liver oil for osteoarthritis.
Family: Nutritional supplement
Scientific name: Fish oil (fish body oil and/or fish liver oil)
Fish body oil is made from tissues of fatty fish like sardines, sprat, salmon, and mackerel. Fish liver oil is made by pressing the cooked liver of halibut, shark or, most commonly, cod. Both types are available from high-street retailers and over the internet.
How does it work?
Fish oils are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which have strong anti-inflammatory properties:
They significantly reduce the release of several elements that play a part in inflammation from your white blood cells.
They form the building blocks for prostaglandins, which regulate your immune system and fight joint inflammation.
Omega-3 fatty acids also play a role in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood, so they can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in people with inflammatory arthritis.
Fish liver oil contains high levels of vitamins A and D. Vitamin A is a strong antioxidant (meaning it can prevent cell damage in your body by interacting with harmful molecules called free radicals which are produced within the cells). Vitamin D plays an important part in the production of proteoglycan in cartilage as well as helping to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system.
