Health related information and news from around the world.

DosageFor fish oil, the daily dose should supply about 1.7 g of EPA and 0.9 g of DHA. Depending on the product, this may be 6 capsules (1 g each) of fish oil or more a day. Fish oil takes as long as 6 to 12 weeks for the full effect to be noticed.Some fish oil products contain vitamin E to prevent the essential fatty acids from going rancid. Others are actually sold in oxygen-free capsules to provide the same protection.Omega-3 oils are abundant in the flesh of cold water marine fish, like salmon, mackerel, and herring. Cod liver oil is another source of omega-3 oils. It is less expensive than the fish oils, but it has the disadvantage of tasting worse.  While an emulsified variety of cod liver oil overcomes this problem to some degree, there are still some safety issues as described in the next section of this chapter.Many people object to the fishy taste and “fish burps” caused by fish oil. Some natural medicine authorities have recommended flaxseed oil as an alternative. Flaxseed oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acid called alpha linolenic acid (ALA), which, as we’ve seen, can be converted into EPA in the body. However, in one clinical trial flaxseed oil was found to be ineffective in reducing symptoms or in raising the participants’ levels of EPA and DHA. The explanation may be that the conversion from ALA to EPA is very slow and may be impaired in some individuals.
Safety IssuesFish oil appears to be quite safe. In most of the clinical studies, an upset stomach and other GI symptoms like belching and flatulence were the only side effects. While these reactions may sound rather unappealing, they may be preferable to pain.However, cod liver oil supplies a great deal of vitamins A and D, two vitamins that can be toxic when taken in excess. Warning: Pregnant women particularly must be careful not to take more than 4,000 IU of vitamin A daily because of risks of birth defects.Because fish oil can “thin” the blood slightly, it may not be safe to combine fish oil with blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin), heparin, and perhaps even aspirin. It is even conceivable that fish oil could cause problems if combined with natural products that slightly thin the blood themselves, such as garlic, ginkgo, and high dose vitamin E.If you are taking any of these medications, seek medical advice before using fish oil. There have also been reports that fish oil can raise cholesterol levels in diabetics, but these have been disputed.*68/306/5*

Rheumatoid arthritis may begin subtly, affecting only a few joints, or it may begin with a sudden flare-up involving many joints. Often, the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis is non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, a low-grade fever, and loss of appetite and weight. Weakness and a general malaise may continue throughout the course of the illness, often being most pronounced in the early afternoon.
Rheumatoid arthritis varies in intensity from person to person. It can range from mild, chronic discomfort to severe pain with limited motion and deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis usually attacks the hands and feet, causing inflammation that results in swelling, pain, and often, eventual destruction of the tissue that lines and cushions joints. The cause of this inflammation is unknown, but we do know it attacks in a symmetrical pattern – that is, it affects the same joint on both sides of the body.

Pain and Stiffness
The classic symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is morning joint pain and stiffness that eases as the day progresses – the so-called rusty gate syndrome. Pain and stiffness also occur after intense activity. These periods of pain and stiffness will generally lengthen as the disease becomes more active.
Typically, small joints in the fingers, toes, hands, feet, wrists, elbows, and ankles become inflamed first. They may become red, warm, and swollen, and the skin over the joint may take on a ruddy, purplish hue. Infected joints usually enlarge and can quickly become deformed. They may also “freeze” in one position, temporarily or permanently.

Rheumatoid Nodules
Another characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis is formation of rheumatoid nodules, small lumps of tissue that form under the skin, usually near the joints. These nodules are found in 30 to 40% of patients.
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