Keeping your joints healthy is important to be able to move comfortably without problems throughout life. However, 3 in 10 Australians are affected by chronic musculoskeletal conditions, or conditions that affect the bones, muscles and joints. These include arthritis and osteoporosis (1). Females are also 1.2 times more likely to have musculoskeletal conditions (1).

Joints help us move, as they join two bones together, allowing for more range of motion. Joints also support your body by giving it structure and shape (2).

Because of how much we use our joints every day, it is necessary, try to protect your joints from harm. For instance, factors such as an increase in temperature may hinder you from moving well, as it can cause pain to joints (3).

Having the right diet and exercise habits are a great way to maintain joint health. Including personal vitamins that contain fish oil may also help ensure optimal joint function. Let’s find out how.

Fish oil for healthy joints

Omega-3 fatty acid, one of the components of fish oil, is used in different bodily processes. There are 3 types: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). EPA and DHA are naturally found in some seafood, while ALA are from plant-based foods (4). These fatty acids are needed for functions such as cell composition, brain development, and more (5). As the body cannot produce omega-3, these are sourced from the food that we eat.

Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in different foods such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna, or seeds and nuts, such as chia seed, flaxseeds, and walnuts (6). Fish oil supplements also contain EPA and DHA and are extracted from fish tissue or liver.

Inflammation is one of the factors that contribute to chronic diseases. It’s not surprising that fish oil helps maintain joint health through inflammation relief as omega-3 fatty acids are known to support this area (7).

A study reported that omega-3 fatty acids have prevented and minimised joint illnesses (8). Fish oil has been shown to better help patients with chronic joint pain compared to non-fish oil treatment (9, 10). Fish oil also provides inflammatory relief by decreasing the production of compounds that signal inflammation (11) in the body. Adding fish oil to your personal vitamin regimen alongside a fish oil-rich diet can benefit your general health and wellbeing.

Create your own vitamin packs for joint health

Don’t let unhealthy joints stop you from doing the things that you love. Keep them healthy with the right amount of exercise and nutrition. With Vitable, you can easily assemble the supplements to support joint health through a monthly vitamin subscription service. Choose from a wide variety of premium supplements not only for your joints but for other areas of health.

We also provide vitamin delivery in Australia, which means you’ll have your daily vitamins delivered on time, at your doorstep!

Find out more about other areas that the above supplements can help you with:

Vitamin C | Fish oil | Cranberry | Curcumin

*Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.

References:

1. eased Aug 25. 2020 on https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/bone-and-joint-health. Accessed Janu. 11, 2022.
2. “Joints”. Better Health Channel. Published Mar. 21, 2012 on https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/joints. Accessed on Nov. 19, 2021
3. Jamison, R., Anderson, K., and Slater, M. “Weather changes and pain: perceived influence of local climate on pain complaint in chronic pain patients”. Pain. Published May 1995 on https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/1995/05000/Weather_changes_and_pain__perceived_influence_of.18.aspx. Accessed on Nov. 19, 2021
4. “Fish Oil”. Mayo Clinic. Published Dec. 8, 2020 on https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-fish-oil/art-20364810. Accessed on Nov. 19, 2021
5. “Omega-3 Fatty Acids”. Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets. Published Aug. 4, 2021 on https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/. Accessed on Nov. 19, 2021
6. Higdon, J., Drake, V., Angelo, G., Delage, B., and Jump, D. “Essential Fatty Acids”. Oregon State University: Linus Pauling Institute. Published Jun. 2019 on https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/essential-fatty-acids. Accessed on Nov. 19, 2021
7. Calder P. "Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes". Nutrients. Published Mar. 18, 2010 on https://doi.org/10.3390/nu2030355. Accessed on Nov. 19, 2021
8. University of Bristol. "Omega-3 fatty acids shown to prevent or slow progression of osteoarthritis". ScienceDaily. Published Oct. 18, 2011 on www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111017111600.htm. Accessed on Nov. 19, 2021
9. Kuszewski, J., Wong, R., and Howe, P. "Fish oil supplementation reduces osteoarthritis-specific pain in older adults with overweight/obesity". Rheumatology advances in practice. Published Jul. 23, 20204 on https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkaa036. Accessed on Nov. 19, 2021
10. Rajaei, E., Mowla, K., Ghorbani, A., Bahadoram, S., Bahadoram, M., and Dargahi-Malamir, M. "The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Receiving DMARDs Therapy: Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial". Global journal of health Science. Published Nov. 3, 2015 on https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v8n7p18.  Accessed on Nov. 19, 2021
11. Calder P. "N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation: from molecular biology to the clinic". Lipids. Published Apr. 2003 on https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-003-1068-y. Accessed on Nov. 19, 2021