Skate Oil Helps Joint Pain

17 March 2010

Osteoarthritis is the most common of all joint disorders and is one of the leading causes of disability.  Osteoarthritis increases with age from 1% in people <30 years to 10% in those <40 years to more than 50% in individuals >60 years of age

Three key ingredients in skate liver oil help reduce joint pain - chondrotin, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.

Chondroitin appears to help restore cartilage around joints and/or prevent further damage.  Almost all studies using chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis have showed that chondroitin supplementation is effective for pain relief and improvement in function.

Skate oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation by reducing the production of inflammation-producing chemicals in the body.  A recent Australian study showed that fish oil reduced the use of chemical anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) by 75% in arthritic patients and reduced inflammation-causing chemicals by up to 41%.

Vitamin D is also a useful supplement for those suffering from joint pain.  Vitamin D is necessary in order to absorb calcium from foods. Without enough vitamin D, calcium will be in short supply, and your body will then take the calcium that it needs to function from your bones. This can make your bones less solid and weak.  The outer layer of your bones can also become soft and spongy.  The spongy layer may cause pain by expanding and pressing against sensitive tissues covering the bones (osteomalacia).Because vitamin D supports healthy bones, getting an adequate amount of it can help persons with many types of bone and joint pain.

Be aware that vitamin D usually doesn’t provide immediate relief from aches and pains like pain killers.  Vitamin D works on the cause of the problem rather than masking the symptoms.  It can take weeks or even months before improvement is felt.  Be patient and stick with your supplementation.