Arthritis Treatment: Mesenchymal Stem Cells And Growth Factors For Osteoarthritis

As population demographics change with a gradually aging population, certain chronic diseases have become more common. There is a confluence of factors though that will make the management of chronic disease assume a greater level of importance. This is because not only are people living longer but they are maintaining a level of activity far greater than their parents and grandparents. This is most evident in the management of osteoarthritis where the incidence of joint replacement surgery is skyrocketing as Boomers demand a lifestyle which their forebears could only dream about.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects more than 20 million Americans. It is a condition that adversely affects hyaline articular cartilage, the smooth tough gristle that caps the ends of long bones.

Hyaline cartilage consists of two components: a matrix made up of a combination of proteoglycans (complexes of proteins and sugars), and chondrocytes. Chondrocytes are cartilage cells that manufacture matrix under normal healthy circumstances. They are responsible for nourishing the matrix as well.

With the development of OA, a distinct change in the joint environment occurs. Chondrocytes begin to elaborate destructive enzymes causing cracks and fissures in the cartilage. These are called "fibrillations." A complex interplay of events involving cartilage, bone, and synovium- the lining of the joint- then begins to snowball.

One of the most common joints affected by osteoarthritis is the knee. This is not a surprise since OA preferentially attacks weight-bearing joints.

Between symptomatic treatment and joint replacement surgery is a large gap in treatment measures. One area of recent interest is the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the management of OA. MSCs are the body's own stem cells which are found in many areas including bone marrow and fat. MSCs have the ability to differentiate into connective tissue of which cartilage is a prime example. Other types of connective tissue that MSCs have been shown to develop into are tendon, ligament, muscle, nerve, and intervertebral disc.

MSCs are active in the repair process when any type of connective tissue is injured. In degenerative disease like OA, the ability of stem cells may be depleted with less ability to differentiate and multiply. Animal studies have demonstrated that supplying additional MSCs may overcome this problem leading to healing and cartilage regeneration.

At least one human study in a small number of patients with OA of the knee has shown promising results using MSCs derived from bone marrow and fat. (Wei N, Beard S, Delauter S, Bitner C, Gillis R, Rau L, Miller C, Clark T. Guided Mesenchymal Stem Cell Layering Technique for Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. J Applied Res. 2011; 11: 44-48)

Combining MSCs with autologous growth factors found in platelet-rich plasma also has added a boost to the natural abilities of stem cells to multiply and divide.

Multiple centers now are applying these principles.

What most centers lack though is the knowledge of what initiates stem cell multiplication and division.

MSCs are stimulated to "go into action" when the critical initiating event, injury is initiated. Injury is what attracts stem cells and injury is what leads to the release of growth factors from platelets. That is why induction of injury by removal of osteophytes, scarification of bare bone, and fenestration of cartilage defects is absolutely crucial for cartilage regeneration to occur.

This is best done using a combination of arthroscopic and ultrasound guidance means.

In addition, providing the proper environment for the MSCs to thrive afterwards is also critical. The osteoarthritic joint is a hostile environment. Multiple measures need to be instituted so that proper survival of MSCs occurs. Institution of effective scaffolding is critical.

Arthritis Treatment: Gouty Arthritis - A Serious and Deadly Disease

Elevated blood uric acid and gout are common conditions in the United States. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 (NHANES) has indicated that gout affects almost 4 percent of the population.

That's 8.3 million people. But more disturbing is the fact that gout incidence has more than doubled in the last couple of decades. There are many reasons for this including the rising incidence of other medical conditions that are risk factors for gout. These diseases include elevated blood lipids, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. The sum total of these conditions is often referred to as the "metabolic syndrome." The metabolic syndrome appears to be the end result of lifestyle choices that are commonplace in the United States.

The economic burden of gout is tremendous and is due to increased frequency of emergency room services, increased doctor visits, and the costs of medications. In addition, as has been described earlier, gout is associated with other common medical conditions that also carry a hefty price tag.

While most people perceive gout as being just a painful form of arthritis, it is more than that. Because of its association with the above medical conditions, it is now recognized as a substantial risk factor for death due to cardiovascular disease. What is more surprising is that this elevated risk is independent of these other factors including the presence of high blood pressure, diabetes, age, gender, and elevated blood lipid levels.

Another disturbing association is gout and kidney disease. Many people with gout have kidneys that don't function at 100 per cent efficiency. Since uric acid is excreted through the kidneys, the eventual result is that there is less uric acid excretion and therefore gradual accumulation leading to elevated blood levels of uric acid. This sets up a vicious cycle since elevated blood levels of uric acid can make the kidney disease worse. Uric acid has been shown to causes inflammation of blood vessels which could contribute to the kidney damage as well as possibly to the cardiac issues described earlier.

Roughly, 60 per cent of people with gout have some degree of kidney dysfunction. The problem is that medications used to treat acute gout attacks such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine may have an adverse effect on kidney function. Also, the traditional medicine employed for reducing serum uric acid, allopurinol, also must have dose adjustments made in the presence of kidney abnormalities.

It is clear that gouty arthritis is a public health issue that causes significant morbidity as well as mortality and must be addressed more aggressively.

Arthritis Treatment: Important Information About Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common form of soft tissue rheumatism that affects anywhere from six to 12 million Americans. That's roughly 2-4 per cent of the population.

While FM affects members of both genders, ninety percent of FM suffers are female.

Symptoms of the affliction include chronic widespread pain, generalized tenderness, chronic fatigue, and non-restorative sleep (a patient will wake up feeling as if they haven't slept). In addition other symptoms such as headache, blurred or double vision, short term memory deficit, ringing in the ears, swallowing difficulty, chest pains, shortness of breath, numbness and tingling in the arms or legs, irritable bowel and irritable bladder can also occur.

Symptoms often wax and wane and the unpredictability of symptoms makes it extremely difficult to perform simple activities of daily living such as taking care of household chores or working.

While the exact cause of the condition is unknown, it is felt that central nervous system neurotransmitters- chemical reactions in the brain- may play a role. Changes in the ascending and descending nerve pathways that govern the ability to perceive pain are almost certainly involved.

The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made by taking a careful history and doing an equally detailed physical examination. Generally speaking, the diagnosis of the malady is one of exclusion meaning it is important to make sure a patient doesn't have another condition that can mimic fibromyalgia. Examples include hypothyroidism, Lyme disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyalgia rheumatic, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Unfortunately, there is no definitive objective marker for the disease. Diagnostic criteria formulated by the American College of Rheumatology include the presence of widespread pain lasting more than three months and the presence of pain in eleven of eighteen tender points in all four quadrants of the body.

Laboratory tests can help exclude other conditions that can look like FM. Patients with the condition are often seen by a number of different physicians in many specialties before the diagnosis is made. In fact, estimates have been made suggesting it takes an average of five years before a patient with fibromyalgia gets diagnosed.

More disturbing is that according to recent statistics, more than 70 per cent of people with FM have not been diagnosed.

The condition is treatable and involves the triad of medications that have neuro-modulating effects, low impact aerobic exercise, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Some people have suggested that diet may also play a role in that certain foods may trigger flares in susceptible people.

Various Over the Counter Gout Medication

Gout is one of the most severe types of arthritis among almost 100 types of arthritis. It is known as the metabolic arthritis and it is caused by the disturbed uric acid metabolism in the body. When too much uric acid builds up in the body, the formation of the tiny uric acid crystals begins to take place around the tendons and the tissues surrounding the joints. Gout is a serious concern for a large number of people these days. As a fact, most men after their 50 and most women after their menopause are the potential victims of the gout problems.

The most common and traditional symptoms of the gout are the acute pain in the joint areas, the intense swelling and the feeling of discomfort in the big toes. The big toes are the areas where the symptoms of the gout attack are first manifested in almost 75 per cent cases of the gout. So, any discomfort in the areas can be alarming. The redness, the tenderness of the skin and the heat felt on the gout affected areas are some of the common symptoms of gout. Sometimes, the growth of the uric acid crystals progresses to the point that it bursts through the skin to cause the discharge of a white chalk-like material. This is yet another gout symptom. The affected areas can be sensitive to a point where slight touch can affect the areas and an acute pain can be felt. Some patients of gout can have low degree fevers with nausea and vomiting. But these symptoms might not prevail in all gout patients. For some patients, the attack of gout can last for few hours and for some others the attack can last for even a few days.

There are various types of medications available for the gout patients. There are a number of over-the-counter medicines available to which the patients can have access to. Many medications are administered by the physicians according to the disease stage and an individual's response to disease. Most of the over-the-counter medicines are anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents. These are not recommended for the long-term use and they can only reduce the pain and inflammation for a short while. Indomethacin, the NSAID or the Intra-Articular Glucocorticoids are used as the over the counter medicines when they are administered through the joint injection.

Among the over-the-counter medicines available for the disease, Colchicine is most widely used. This is basically used for the weakening of the motility of granulocytes. The over the counter medications for the gout can also alleviate the pain and the inflammation. But one should be aware of the fact that these over the counter medicines for the gout can cause some side effects like diarrhea and nausea. So, if wish to discover the best over the counter medicine for the disease, it is better to consult your health professional to seek the expert advise.

Recognize Three Common Symptoms of Arthritis

There are many orthopedic diseases that people suffer from today in the world and one of the most common of these is Arthritis. But unlike other forms of bone disease this one doesn't affect just the elderly some young people can suffer from it also. However, before this disease can be treated the symptoms of arthritis need to be confirmed.

In that there are many different types of arthritis that one can suffer from one need to understand that there are different symptoms associated with them. There are some symptoms that are common to all forms of arthritis and these are what are often used in helping doctors to diagnose exactly what form of this disease a person is suffering from.

So what are the most common symptoms of arthritis that a sufferer may have? Below we take a brief look at them.

1. Often a person suffering from any form of arthritis will complain that their joints feel stiff and they also feel swollen. But it isn't just the joints where these symptoms will occur it will also happen to other parts of the body that are close to the affected joint such as the cartilage, the joints connective tissue and the linings. Plus in some cases the surrounding muscles may also be affected.

2. Another symptom that is associated with the various forms of arthritis that one can suffer from includes the area affected feeling tender and sometimes warm to the touch. Plus the area affected may also look red. Again these symptoms of arthritis may not only affect the area concerned by some of the surrounding area as well.

3. Along with the symptoms of arthritis we have mentioned above there are others that some sufferers may have to deal with. In some cases they may find themselves feeling tired often, they suffer from fevers or rashes and in some cases sufferers find themselves losing weight as a result of them losing their appetite. Certainly in younger people they may the form of arthritis they develop causes rashes to appear on their legs and arms or they suffer from anemia.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Energy Conservation For Our Patients Part 1

It is a common occurrence during the earlier stages of the rheumatoid arthritis disease that the patient with the new diagnoses will try to resume their previous tasks, roles and habits as much as possible, in a bid to return to normal. Often they end up trying too hard and injures or aggravates their affected joints.

Energy conservation, at all stages of rheumatoid arthritis is important, and when combined with the joint protection program, will result in better preserved and protected joints for the patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Energy Conservation Program

1. in between tasks and activities for the waking day, at least 60 minutes should be purely for resting. This is best when scheduled right in the middle eg work 9 am to 1 pm, rest 1 - 2 pm, continue work from 2 pm - 6 pm.

2. the needs to be a balance struck between activity and rest, we can call this microbreaks eg working for 20 minutes continuous before taking a short stretch for 1-2 minutes to rest the joints and muscles

3. scheduling and pacing work, that there is an adequate mix of heavy and light work at a time, not a pure stretch of 2 hours of heavy work etc

4. whenever possible, use leverage to help. This can be in the form of technology such as using the computer to type instead of using pen and pencils, using a car to travel instead of walking long distances, or even asking for manual help when required to carry heavy objects

5. plan and arrange the physical environment eg at home or at the work place for equipment, materials, items to be within easy reach, waist height, not overly high or low to minimize climbing and crouching

6. it would be best if the patient with rheumatoid arthritis be allowed to continue her past occupations in a seated manner rather in standing manner, to preserve and protect her joints and energy as much as possible

7. patient should educated and understand that they should accept help whenever possible or necessary especially when it is heavy and difficult to maneuver

8. and to maintain focus primarily on the most important tasks of their jobs or roles, and to remove and eliminate tasks or activities that are not pertinent for them to do eg being a mother doesn't mean she has to help her children (assuming they're young) with their school work or carry their heavy bags or books

Fish Oil Supplements in the Treatment of Arthritis

The term 'arthritis' describes a wide range of diseases that affect the joints. Osteoarthritis, also referred to as degenerative arthritis, is by far the most common form. Inflammatory arthritis is a general term for many different arthritic diseases in which the specific joints are inflamed.

Generally, all forms of arthritis, which in addition to osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis caused by gout or infection, septic arthritis, reactive arthritis and Reiter's syndrome, are characterized by joint pain, swelling and stiffness, and a reduced range of motion in a joint. Chronic dietary deficiencies in which such vital nutrients as vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids inhibit the body's ability to repair the damage caused by stress in the joints, injuries, repetitive motions or the relentlessness of aging. Being overweight also contributes to the problem, as it puts inordinate stresses on the weight-bearing joints. Lack of exercise is another problem.

Because of the great number of people afflicted by this condition - over 40 million Americans alone - there is always a number of ongoing clinical laboratory trials, and continuous research by drug companies, hospitals, and universities to find ways of curing the disease or ameliorating its effects. There are also any number of companies selling cures of all kinds. It can be a daunting task to separate fact from hype. Where lies the truth?

We'll take a look at the benefits of fish oil supplements, one of the more well-tested and proven remedies which works to relieve the pain of arthritis by reducing the inflammation that causes the flare-ups. For sufferers, there is some encouraging evidence from a number of independent laboratory studies, animal studies, and clinical trials about the potential usefulness of fish oil, or omega-3 supplements, for various aspects of arthritis and the joint pain that characterizes it.

Fish Oil - Its Potential

The pain of, for example, Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to result, at least in part, from an over activity of the inflammatory agents found in Arachidonic Acid. Arachidonic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that the body uses to synthesize regulatory molecules. It is a form of Omega 6 fatty acid, which is a good fat and is essential to good overall health. It does, however, play a central role in the inflammation related to many chronic conditions. Individuals suffering from joint pains or active inflammatory disease may find that increased consumption of arachidonic acid (various vegetable oils are excellent sources of it) exacerbates their symptoms, the likely reason being that more of it is readily converted into inflammatory compounds.

Fish oil is comprised of the Omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA which are well documented to have anti-inflammatory properties. Balancing Omega 6 fats with more Omega 3 fats will significantly reduce the amount of inflammation in your body. The main ingredients of fish oils are also reputed to reduce the chances of breast, colon and prostate cancer where the fatty acids may halt the development of a cancerous mass from healthy cells, inhibit cell growth and cause the death of cancer cells. Though less well studied, there is also evidence that fish oil may be instrumental in preventing certain types of depression including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder. It may also helpful in treatment of the Huntington's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus and other inflammatory conditions.

It is difficult to get therapeutic amounts of fish oil by eating fish alone. Most dietitians will recommend that the consumption of fish be limited to a maximum of two 3-ounce servings of fish a week. Fish is a very protein-rich food, and a high intake of proteins has been shown to cause high levels of uric acid - the prime culprit in the arthritis-like condition known as gout. Gout is a most painful condition which is specifically related to elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream which ultimately crystallize and get deposited in cartilage, joints, tendons and surrounding tissues. Eating some fresh fish, though, is definitely worthwhile since it is a healthy choice. Not surprisingly, the same types of fish which, when eaten fresh are also the best sources of the essential dietary fish oil, are also the best sources for making fish oil supplements. These include cold-water fish such as salmon, cod, mackerel, halibut, tuna, and herring. So, since diet alone is not the best source of getting the recommended amount of fish oil, other dietary steps and supplements that reduce uric acid should be considered because they provide the omega-3 without providing the protein. There are benefits of fish oil in treating all types of the disease, because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Clinical trials (randomized) have demonstrated that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who include a daily omega-3 supplement in their regimen experience reduced pain, less morning stiffness and improved joint motility. They were also able to reduce the amount of NSAID drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs they were taking, thereby lessening the damaging effect on the liver that those drugs have been known to cause.

The Type of Fish Oil is Also Important

Many people are looking for an arthritis treatment that is both safe and also effective. Fish oil is worthy of attention, but with such a proliferation of different brands on the shelves, which types are worth consideration? Not just any fish oil will be effective. Make sure that any brand you purchase is ultra-refined to remove the impurities and toxins which are absorbed through fish skin such as mercury, PCBs, and lead. The product should also be rich in omega 3 fatty acids, particularly in ones called DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid). Research has shown that DHA and EPA have more anti-inflammatory properties than the other essential fatty acids.

Both DHA and EPA inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are a vast classification of proteins, some good, some bad, that are produced by the body and serve as chemical messengers between cells. They interact with the cells of the immune system to regulate both inflammatory responses, such as seen in arthritis sufferers, as well as the body's response to infective agents and diseases. DHA and EPA inhibit the inflammatory function of the cytokines by binding themselves to the target immune cells to disrupt their harmful effects.

Several independent tests have shown that a dietary supplement of fish oils (DHA and EPA) rich in Omega 3 fatty acids can result in a significant lessening of chronic pain and joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers by markedly reducing interleukin-1 beta (which is one of the pro-inflammatory cytokines) creation. They have a positive effect on the immune system and do not foster unwanted side effects such as those seen with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Omega 3 fish oil is only an effective arthritis treatment if it has a high level of anti-inflammatory activity in the body. Consumers are able to find out from the manufacturers themselves what the level of anti-inflammatory is in their products, because the producers can have the level of anti-inflammatory ingredient accurately measured.

Besides being an effective anti-inflammatory, fish oils offer many other health benefits. We know that fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. We also know that fish oil lowers blood trigylceride (fats that circulate in the blood stream, the 'bad cholesterol'), thereby protecting against heart disease and reducing high blood pressure. Fish oil may be valuable as well in the treatment of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease), which starts with inflammation of the artery wall. Fish oil, too, appears to stabilize certain arterial plaques that build up and can sometimes break loose to initiate heart attacks and strokes. Because persons afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis have a significantly increased risk for developing atherosclerosis, the potential benefit of fish oil is doubled.

Some rheumatoid arthritis sufferers using fish oil supplements may be able to use it as an effective alternative to the prescription drugs VIOXX and Celebrex without having a flare-up of joint pain in their disease. Researchers have shown that long-term supplementation with fish oils may really benefit rheumatoid arthritis patients and can, indeed, lessen their need for the aforementioned prescription arthritis treatments.

If you choose to use fish oil supplement for relief of arthritis pain, it is important to use a pharmaceutical grade of the product, since inferior grades of fish oil may have contaminants and lower levels of DHA, EPA and omega-3 fatty acids. Current research suggests that lower grade fish oils with high levels of chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may actually reduce or eliminate the positive effects of DHA, EPA and omega-3 fatty acids.

We know with great certainty that fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. We know, too, that fish oil lowers blood trigylceride (fats that circulate in the blood stream), protecting against heart disease and reducing high blood pressure.

Dosage Recommendations

Although, as mentioned earlier, it's difficult to get a therapeutic dose of fish oil from food alone, for general health two 3-ounce servings of fish a week are recommended. To treat arthritis-related conditions, use fish oil capsules with at least 30 percent EPA/ DHA, the active ingredients. For rheumatoid arthritis, up to 2.6 g fish oil (1.6 g EPA) twice a day.

For mild pain, a supplement that provides 1000mg of omega3s per day should be effective. Hand pain, general stiffness or redness and inflammation, are signs that more help is needed and the dosage can be increased.

For severe pain, up to 3 grams of fish oil once per day can help to reduce joint inflammation. If, to that dosage you add a bit of olive oil, you may experience less morning stiffness. Fish oil comes in a variety of preparations. The most common is gel caps. Each gel cap should contain at least thirty per cent EPA/DHA, which are the active compounds.

For rheumatoid arthritis about 2.6 grams of fish oil containing 1.6 grams of EPA should be taken twice a day. Fish oil works by reducing inflammation and there is not, thus far, convincing evidence to suggest that fish oil can, in any significant way, retard the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. To the extent that it may help, the effect, if it exists, is relatively mild.

Still, there are those who rely on data from at least a few randomized double-controlled studies which have demonstrated a beneficial effect of dietary fish oil in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. More than nine studies overall have shown statistically significant reductions which have relived symptoms of joints soreness.

In many of these studies, patients were able to lower the amount of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids. One study suggested that combining fish oil with olive oil may enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of fish oil. In some people, the high amounts of omega-3s that are present in fish oil can increase the risk of bleeding or can affect the time it takes blood to clot. If a person is taking drugs that affect bleeding or is going to have surgery, this is of special concern. Fish oil supplements interact with medicines for high blood pressure, so taking them together might lower a person's blood pressure too much.

Caveats

Certain species of fish can contain high levels of contaminants such as mercury due to environmental pollution. Using the oils from contaminated fish could pose a health risk, especially for pregnant or nursing women and for children. People fitting these descriptions may want to avoid eating cold water fish because of the danger of mercury toxicity. Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish are the species of fish that the Federal Government has found to have the highest levels of mercury. Anyone who makes the decision to use fish oil in the treatment of arthritis symptoms should look for products made from species of fish with demonstrated lower levels of mercury. They should also only purchase pharmaceutical grade supplements, which are refined to remove impurities. Government information on this topic is available in the form of two Federal publications called "Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish" and "What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish: Advice for Women Who Might Become Pregnant, Women Who Are Pregnant, Nursing Mothers, and Young Children." These tracts are available online and are co-published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

It is also a good idea to examine whether the manufacturer of the fish oil supplement does its own testing on the product for the presence of contaminating substances and to see whether the results of those tests are available.

Another noteworthy point about the safety of fish oil products is that certain supplements may contain in their list of ingredients a product called fish liver oil. This substance may well contain a higher dosage of vitamin A than is recommended as a daily dosage. For some individuals this could be a potential source of problems. Also, some patients with blood disorders who have been prescribed an anticoagulant therapy with the drug warfarin may notice their clotting times will become erratic.

Generally though, for low doses of fish oil supplements, the side effects are mild and can include gastrointestinal symptoms including gas, belching, stomach disturbances, and nausea. Others have also reported diarrhea, spontaneous nosebleeds and sores in the nostrils. These symptoms are not common and may be indicative of other medical conditions unrelated to arthritis.

Final Notes

In addition to the obvious benefits of including a fish oil supplement in the diet to offset the symptoms of arthritis, there are lifestyle changes which could affect an even greater positive outcome in the treatment of the pain associated with swollen joints. Losing weight and performing any of a series of special exercises specifically designed to reduce joint stiffness and improve overall flexibility can be of great help. Addressing those lifestyle issues is a good first step. Just be aware that most of the conventional treatments for arthritis include taking pain relieving drugs, which do not actually address the root cause of the joint soreness problem and most of them have been proven to be detrimental to liver function. Certain pharmaceuticals such as VIOXX, Bextra, Celebrex and other COX-2 inhibitors negatively affect the heart, as well.

But, there is no doubt that omega 3 fish oil is highly beneficial to your overall health. At the very least, it should be considered as a complementary addition to any other arthritis treatment. It has been recommended as an essential component to a heart healthy diet for many years. Its omega 3 fatty acids can be absorbed easily and the EPA and DHA have proven to play a very crucial role in development of normal brain cell activity, proper functioning of nervous system, as a protection against heart diseases (by reducing the fatty deposits in arteries) and can even contribute to better eyesight, decrease dryness in the eyes and help to stop the inevitable decline in eyesight that comes with the increasing age.

Eating fresh fish is a great way for the body to get enough fatty acids, but to get the maximum advantage of its benefits, the concentrated fish oil available as a supplement represents the most efficient and easily digestible alternative.

In summary, choose a high quality pharmaceutical grade, preferably molecularly distilled fish oil supplement. Although a bit more expensive, you can be assured of receiving the most benefits from an already proven source of treatment for the effects of joint pain and stiffness.