LONDON: Consuming just one gramme of fish oil daily could help reduce the pain of patients with osteoarthritis, and improve their cardiovascular health, a large-scale study claims.
Researchers from the University of Surrey in the UK analysed 68 previous studies in the field.
They found that a low-dose supplement of fish oil (one and a half standard capsules) could result in pain reduction for patients with osteoarthritis and help improve their cardiovascular health.
Essential fatty acids in fish oil reduce inflammation in joints, helping to alleviate pain, according to the study published in the journal Rheumatology.
“The importance of a good diet and regular exercise should never be underestimated,” said Margaret Rayman, a professor at the University of Surrey.
“We are what we eat and it is important that we have the right amount of nutrients from our food to ensure that our body systems work as they should,” Rayman said.
An increase in foods rich in vitamin K such as kale, spinach and parsley was also found to deliver benefits to patients with osteoarthritis, researchers said.
Vitamin K is needed for vitamin-K-dependent (VKD) proteins, which are found in bone and cartilage.
An inadequate intake of the vitamin adversely affects the working of the protein, affecting bone growth and repair and increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.
Researchers also found that a reduction of weight for overweight and obese patients and the introduction of exercise tailored to mobility could also help ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Not only does obesity increase strain on joints, it can cause low-grade, systemic inflammation in the body aggravating the condition further.
A calorie restricted diet, combined with strengthening, flexibility and aerobic exercises, was identified as an effective approach in reducing pain in overweight patients, researchers said.
Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis in the world with 18 per cent of women and 9.6 per cent of men aged 60 years and over being diagnosed with this painful condition.
Adopting a healthier lifestyle will also help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood – high blood cholesterol is known to be associated with osteoarthritis, they said. (AGENCIES)
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