Omega 3 fatty acids used for joint health is gaining in popularity as ever more people are opting for healthy, natural remedies over risky side effects laden pharmaceutical drugs.

The question is: do omega 3 fatty acids benefit joint health, stiffness, and aches and pains?

Omega 3 fatty acid help ease tender joints in people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Although numerous studies have been researched, and not all of them conclusive, in general it appears that omega 3 fatty acids does help ease tender joints in people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

This may actually help people who were relying on corticosteroids to reduce what they need to use.

Omega 3 fatty acids, such as those found in high quality fish oils, act as anti-inflammatories which, as anyone with arthritis or stiffness knows, is often caused or worsened by inflammation of the joints.

Despite omega 3 fatty acids derived from fish oils used for the health of joints can be useful, there is another natural substance that has been confirmed to be much more beneficial.

What is this natural substance?

It’s the green lipped mussel from New Zealand. This in New Zealand is renowned, however less well known in the United States even though it can be purchased or obtained by people living in the US.

Green lipped mussel also contains omega 3 fatty acids. In addition to certain research of people using omega 3 fatty acids showing reduced morning joint aches, and joint tenderness, green lipped mussel has been shown to lessen joint stiffness, improve walking pace in people with osteoarthritis, and enhance the strength of grip for sufferers.

Such a study can be found at prestigious universities in the United States, such as the University of Maryland Medical Center: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm is one of the pages if you’re curious.

One downside reported at the University of Maryland Medical Center website is that in some participants using green lipped mussel, the symptoms can worsen temporarily before they improve. Which is a common trait with remedies for other conditions as well.

On the other hand, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports that omega 3 fatty acids may “reduce the activity of enzymes that destroy cartilage” when “cartilage-containing cells” were studied in test tubes.

In addition to the possible benefits for joint health and stiffness, omega 3 fatty acids also have many other well researched benefits that include brain and heart health as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Ho by Dan Ho

Pain and joint stiffness often accompanies one of the most common forms of arthritis, however different patients manifest different osteoarthritis symptoms which may not be present all the time. Those who do suffer severe osteoarthritis symptoms in their daily lives can be disrupted by the pain and slow mobility, but on the days the symptoms are lighter, this may appear to be normal and suffer no problems at all. As a result confusing patients and those around them as well, which could lead them to doubt the presence of the ailment completely.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that attacks the cartilage in the joints. This can be caused by an an infection in the joint’s tissue or simply by old age or injury to the joint, in which the cartilage simply wears out. Since the cartilage works as a cushion in the joint and helps provide lubrication for movement, osteoarthritis symptoms can include pain from the joints rubbing against each other and in more severe cases, can cause the joints to lock up.

Usually one of the misconceptions surrounding osteoarthritis symptoms is that the pain will be accompanied by a fever and complete lack of mobility. While in some patients the osteoarthritis symptoms may appear to worsen in wet or cold weather, it is another common misconception that the symptoms are wholly affected by the weather. Although it has been shown that high humidity can affect many osteoarthritis patients and their ability to move without some pain.

Patients May Experience Different Levels Of Pain

Although osteoarthritis usually is first felt in the small joints in the hands and feet, the severity of the pain, as well as its duration can be different among patients. This is because different people have different tolerance to pain, which is one of the osteoarthritis symptoms that is often overlooked. It is important to know the arthritis signs and symptoms, and understanding how they can affect a person’s movements is important to the patient as well as those around them.

As more cartilage disappears in the joints, patients may also hear the bones of the joint coming into contact with each other. This crackling noise will usually be accompanied by pain and in some instances may lock up the joints making movement all but impossible. This is one of the osteoarthritis symptoms that may also come with a burning sensation of the associated muscles and tendons in the affected joint. When the ailment become severe, movement and everyday activities may not be possible for the patient and without early treatment can affect their lifestyle for the rest of their life.

Source: http://arthritispainreliefnews.com/blog/?p=42