Fish Oil Really Does Lube Joints

OK, they were guinea pigs, not humans, but guinea pigs actually have a much greater likelihood of developing osteoarthritis than humans do, unless they eat fish oil. It’s true.  Researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK found that when they fed guinea pigs a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, the animals were 50 percent less likely to suffer from osteoarthritis. A University of Bristol press release reports that the researchers found “strong evidence that omega-3 influences the biochemistry of the disease, and therefore not only helps prevent disease, but also slows its progression.” The researchers believe that following government guidelines on dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids could reduce the burden of osteoarthritis. They also found that fish oil is a far more effective source of omega-3s than a flax oil based supplement. Read more from the University of Bristol.