The Benefits of Emu Oil for Arthritis

In a recent blog post, we covered how the high Omega fatty acid content in Emu oil can combat inflammation. But the benefits of Emu oil for arthritis deserves its own recognition, especially given the different types of arthritis, the diverse symptoms, and their impact on the body.

Here’s what we know so far:

Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is the general term for diseases that are characterized by inflammation and joint pain. There are several different types of arthritis, including

• Osteoarthritis
  ● Rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disease that affects more than just the joints)
  ● Psoriatic arthritis (a type of arthritis developed by people with psoriasis)

Arthritis is a painful condition that if left untreated, it can cause damage to the body over time. Each type of arthritis affects the body in a different way:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects joint cartilage and is often due to wear and tear. The result is pain and stiffness in the joints, particularly in the knees, hips, and thumbs.

Traditionally, the symptoms of the disease has been treated with a variety of medications, cortisone shots, and pain relief therapies like cold compresses and massage. However, these options don’t target the underlying effects of the disease and focus more on pain management.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can damage a variety of body systems, including the eyes, skin, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, it impacts the lining of your joints, resulting in painful swelling that can eventually erode the bone and cause joint deformity.

Common symptoms include

• Tender, warm, swollen joints
  ● Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings or after inactivity
  ● Fatigue
  ● Fever
  ● Loss of appetite

Early rheumatoid arthritis often affects your smaller joints first, such as the joints in your fingers and toes. As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders. In most cases, symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of your body.

Studies found that roughly 40 percent of those who have rheumatoid arthritis also experience signs and symptoms that don’t involve the joints, including:

• Skin
  ● Eyes
  ● Lungs
  ● Heart
  ● Kidneys
  ● Salivary glands
  ● Nerve tissue
  ● Bone marrow
  ● Blood vessels

While new types of medications have improved treatment options dramatically, severe rheumatoid arthritis can still cause physical disabilities.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis may develop in people with the skin condition psoriasis. The disease is denoted by small red patches of skin topped with silver scales. Joint pain and swelling may flare and subside, particularly in the morning.

Research suggests that specific dietary changes can reduce the severity of the disease.

Risk Factors of Arthritis

One Harvard Health review indicated that you have a 50/50 chance of developing arthritis at some point in your life. There are several risk factors that could make you more likely to develop the disease, including the following:

• Age: Arthritis can occur at any age, but middle-aged individuals are at the greatest risk.
  ● Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while men are more likely to develop gout.
  ● Family History: Some types of arthritis runs in the family.
  ● Previous Joint Injury: Some injuries, such as a sports injury, may make you more susceptible to developing arthritis.
  ● Obesity: Extra weight places extra stress on joints.
  ● Smoking: Smoking not only increases your chance of developing arthritis, but may also increase the severity of the disease if you develop it.

Fighting Arthritis with Food

Many foods have anti inflammatory benefits. But as we mentioned in a previous blog post, it’s not easy to get a well-balanced diet with all of the foods and nutrients your body needs. For people with arthritis, eating certain foods can actually make inflammation worse.

Arthritis is a condition that requires all of the Omegas in the fatty acid chain. Here are some examples of which foods to consume and which ones to avoid.

Foods to Eat

For people with arthritis (specifically psoriatic arthritis), research shows that anti-inflammatory foods are an important element of potentially reducing painful flare-ups. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). They have been studied extensively in disease management because of their anti-inflammatory properties. 

One study on people with psoriatic arthritis looked at the use of PUFA supplementation over a 12-week period. The results showed a decrease in disease activity following supplementation with omega-3s.

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is a type of omega-3 that is considered essential, as the body can’t make it on its own. ALA can convert to EPA and DHA, which are two other important types of omega-3s. However, the conversion is low, which is why it’s important to eat plenty of omega-3 rich foods as part of a well-rounded diet.

The best food sources of omega-3s include:

• Emu oil
  ● Fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna
  ● Olive oil
  ● Flaxseed oil
  ● Flax and chia seeds
  ● Nuts
  ● Avocado

Emu oil has a naturally-occuring balance of all the omegas 3,6,9,11. If these foods are not readily available, its simple to supplement with the ultra clear Emu oil capsules.

Emu oil (with or without CBD/hemp) also benefits the body’s endocannabinoid (skin) system and relieves pain. Unlike fish oil, olive oil, nuts and avocado, Emu oil is transdermal and gets absorbed by the skin and internal organs, which aids in digestion and absorption.

Foods to Avoid

Some foods tend to trigger inflammation “flare ups” and should be avoided at all costs. These include, but are not limited to:

• Fried or processed foods
  ● Foods that are high in sugar
  ● Refined carbs
  ● Dairy products
  ● Salt
  ● Preservatives
  ● Alcohol
  ● Corn oil

Emu Oil for Joint Health

Going back to our recent blog post on the link between the brain and our health, the brain is responsible for the function of the entire endocrine system. Therefore, the brain getting what it needs in the way of a balanced diet will lead the way to good health.

Chronic conditions like arthritis are an indication that the body is deficient in something it needs, which is why everything you consume in your diet should be feeding your well-being. Head to our online store to begin your journey and start charting a better path to better health!