Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that play a crucial role in various aspects of human health, including cardiovascular function, brain health, and mitochondrial function. Among their numerous benefits, omega-3s have emerged as a key player in promoting joint and bone health.
This article will delve into the health-supportive benefits of omega-3s for joint health and explore how high-quality supplements for joint health such as Ascent Nutrition’s Algae Oil DHA can support your journey toward optimal joint and bone health.
Why is Joint and Bone Health Important?
Joint and bone health play a crucial role in our overall well-being, contributing to our mobility, strength, and quality of life. However, factors like aging, obesity, injury, and repetitive joint overuse can negatively impact joint comfort and function over time.
As the population continues to age, joint health issues are becoming more prevalent. This can significantly impact an individual's ability to perform daily activities and maintain independence.
According to research, over 90 million adults in the United States may be struggling with joint health issues [1].
With such statistics, the importance of supplements for joint health cannot be overlooked. Supporting joint and bone health is essential for leading a physically active and overall quality of life.
How can I improve my bone and joint health?
In addition to regular low-impact exercise, quality sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a healthy diet, supplements for supporting healthy joints are an essential component of a well-rounded approach to joint care. The right joint care supplements can provide the necessary nutrients to support optimal joint and bone health.
Omega-3 fatty acids are vital nutrients that play a significant role in various aspects of health, including joint and bone health.
Health-Supportive Benefits of Omegas for Joint and Bone Health
Omega-3s play a crucial role in supporting the overall health of our body, including eye health, cardiovascular health, healthy mitochondrial function, and brain health throughout all stages of life.
Omega 3s have also been extensively researched for their potential benefits in supporting joint and bone health.
The essential fatty acids may help support a healthy inflammatory response, promote healthy cartilage, and assist in the healthy function of bone-building cells, among other benefits. Through these mechanisms, omega-3 supplementation may promote optimal joint/bone function and comfort over time.
Here’s more on the health-supportive benefits of omega-3s for joint health:
Omega 3 for a Healthy Inflammatory Response
One of the main benefits of omega 3s for joint health is their role in supporting a healthy inflammatory response [2].
Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection and plays a crucial role in the healing process. However, chronic inflammation can have detrimental effects on joint health.
Inflammation in the joints can lead to a variety of problems, including pain, stiffness, and loss of function. Over time, chronic inflammation can contribute to the breakdown of cartilage, a flexible tissue that cushions the joints and prevents bones from rubbing against each other. As cartilage deteriorates, joint function becomes increasingly impaired.
Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) have shown significant potential in supporting a healthy inflammatory response, contributing to improved joint function and overall health.
Moreover, omega-3 fatty acids have been found to promote cartilage health, further emphasizing their potential role in supporting joint health.
Please Note: To support a healthy inflammatory response, it is important to maintain a healthy omega-3: omega-6 ratio. Too much omega-6 can have a negative impact on the body’s inflammatory response.
Unfortunately, the Western diet that is characterized by a high intake of omega 6-rich foods such as vegetable oils and processed foods often leads to an imbalance in the omega 3: omega-6 ratio. For this reason, it’s important to increase the intake of omega-3s while reducing omega-6s in your diet.
Omega 3 Bone Health
Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to support healthy bone mineral density by promoting bone mineralization [3]. Bone mineralization is the process through which minerals, primarily calcium, are incorporated into the bone matrix, strengthening the bones.
According to studies, a higher overall omega-3 (DHA) intake is associated with healthy bone mineral density [4]. Omega-3s help in this process by promoting a healthy inflammatory response, which is crucial for optimal bone health.
In a 2016 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, researchers examined the effects of omega-3 supplementation on markers of inflammation and bone health in postmenopausal women [5].
They divided 117 healthy postmenopausal women into two groups. One group received milk fortified with the omega-3 fats DHA and EPA. The other group received milk fortified only with vitamins A and D, without omega-3 enrichment.
After following their respective milk regimens for 12 months, the women who had received the DHA and EPA-enriched milk saw healthier levels of C-reactive protein (an inflammatory marker) and RANKL (an inflammatory protein that activates osteoclasts responsible for breaking down bone tissue).
Another important aspect of omega-3s role in bone health is their ability to support bone-building cell activity. These fatty acids have been shown to stimulate the activity of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for building new bone tissue [6].
At the same time, omega-3s can support the healthy function of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue [7].
This balance between bone formation and resorption is essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones.
Omega-3 for Joint Health
Omega-3s for joint health also play a crucial role in supporting the health and integrity of cartilage by encouraging a healthy inflammatory response and promoting the optimal production of collagen, the primary structural protein in cartilage.
Cartilage, a flexible connective tissue that cushions the ends of bones and allows smooth movement, is an essential component of healthy joints.
With their combined health-supportive benefits for the body’s inflammatory response and bone health, omega-3 fatty acids show promise for supporting overall joint health.
This results in healthier, more resilient joints that can better withstand daily wear and tear. Incorporating omega-3s in your diet or through supplements can, therefore, contribute to supporting healthy joint mobility and overall quality of life.
Should I Take Omega-3 Supplements for Joint Health?
Incorporating Omega 3s into your diet can be achieved through consuming foods rich in these essential fatty acids or by taking supplements.
One of the most common ways of consuming omega-3s is through a balanced diet rich in fatty fish. While this is commendable, there are a few shortfalls:
Difficulty Achieving Adequate Dietary Intake
Are you taking enough omega-3s? According to the DHA Regimen designed by Lance Schuttler (Ascent Nutrition CEO) to help health enthusiasts better support their health, it’s advisable to take 1000-2000 mg of DHA and EPA daily. However, the average American only gets about 2400 mg of DHA per week from their diet.
To put this in perspective, a 3-ounce serving of salmon contains approximately 1240 mg of DHA. So to reach 1000-2000 mg of DHA daily (7000-14000 mg weekly), someone would need to eat up to 11 servings of salmon per week. This is not realistic for most people.
With an omega 3 supplement for joint health such as Ascent Nutrition’s Algae Oil DHA, it only takes a 2.0 mL serving of the tincture to achieve the recommended 1,000 mg of DHA.
Dietary Preferences
Fish and fish oil supplements pose an issue for those following plant-based or vegan diets due to animal welfare concerns. There are also sustainability concerns around overfishing with fish oil supplements.
Getting long-chain omega-3s from plants alone can also be challenging. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in seeds and nuts must be converted to EPA and DHA in the body, but this process is inefficient. Most people who follow vegan and vegetarian lifestyles struggle to reach optimal omega-3 status for this reason.
For those with dietary or moral objections to consuming fish and fish oil, algae oil omega-3s offer an ideal solution. Algae oils contain DHA sustainably sourced from algae. No fish are farmed or harvested.
Risk of Contamination
While fish and fish oil supplements for joint care provide beneficial omega-3s EPA and DHA, they also come with a risk of contamination. Fish can accumulate heavy metals like mercury and other pollutants from their environment.
Excess exposure to these heavy metals poses health risks, especially for pregnant women and young children. For this reason, algae oil omega-3 supplements have distinct advantages over fish-based oils. Algae oils contain DHA sustainably sourced from algae, eliminating the mercury and sustainability issues of fish oil.
Related: Algae Oil DHA Vs. Fish Oil Omega 3
In summary, taking an omega-3 supplement for joint health provides the easiest and most efficient way to maintain optimal omega-3 levels. Algae oil supplements containing DHA derived are a particularly good option.
Best Omega 3 Supplement for Healthy Joints
Ultimately, prioritizing joint and bone health is essential for maintaining overall well-being and enjoying a healthy, active lifestyle. By incorporating omega-3s into your diet and choosing high-quality supplements, you can support your body in its quest for optimal joint and bone health.
When selecting an omega-3 supplement, it's essential to look for high-quality products from reputable manufacturers. Choose a supplement that contains both EPA and DHA, as these are the most bioavailable forms of omega-3 fatty acids.
Additionally, consider opting for a product made from algae, as it is a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of omega-3s.
Lastly, ensure that the supplement you choose has been tested for contaminants like mercury and PCBs, and prioritizes purity and potency.
Ascent Nutrition’s Algae Oil DHA ticks all these boxes by offering a high-quality and sustainable omega-3 supplement, derived from nature's superior source of DHA.
Algae Oil DHA provides the following benefits for joint and bone health:
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High concentration of DHA: Algae Oil DHA contains a high concentration of DHA, one of the primary omega-3 fatty acids that support joint and bone health. A 2.0 mL serving provides 1,000 mg of DHA and 10 mg of EPA, which is enough to meet your recommended daily intake to experience the diverse benefits of omega-3s.
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Vegan-friendly: As a plant-based source of omega 3s, Algae Oil DHA is suitable for individuals who follow vegan and vegetarian lifestyles.
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Sustainable source: Ascent Nutrition's pristine Algae Oil DHA provides a sustainable, eco-friendly way to meet the daily omega-3 needs for overall wellness. It’s derived from a sustainable and environmentally friendly source, ensuring a minimal impact on the planet. We source our Algae Oil DHA supplement from a specific strain of wild algae and use a unique water-extraction method to naturally create a clean, pure, and potently concentrated product.
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Third-party testing: Ascent Nutrition's Algae Oil DHA undergoes third-party testing for quality assurance and safety. As a testament to our confidence and transparency concerning the purity and potency of our Algae Oil DHA, we proudly display third-party test results on our product page.
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Value for money: Thanks to our sustainable algae harvesting and extraction method, Ascent Nutrition can offer exceptional value pricing. Our Algae Oil DHA delivers more milligrams of DHA per dollar compared to other algae oils on the market.
Take the first step towards supporting your joint and bone health by exploring Ascent Nutrition's Algae Oil DHA.
Reference
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Arthritis Foundation: https://www.arthritis.org/news/arthritis-prevalence-study
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Calder, P. C. (2010). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes. Nutrients, 2(3), 355-374: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257651/
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Sharma, T., & Mandal, C. C. (2020). Omega‐3 fatty acids in pathological calcification and bone health. Journal of food biochemistry, 44(8), e13333: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32548903/
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Farahnak, Z., Freundorfer, M. T., Lavery, P., & Weiler, H. A. (2019). Dietary docosahexaenoic acid contributes to increased bone mineral accretion and strength in young female Sprague-Dawley rats. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 144, 32-39: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095232781830259X
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Fonolla-Joya, J., Reyes-García, R., García-Martín, A., López-Huertas, E., & Muñoz-Torres, M. (2016). Daily intake of milk enriched with n-3 fatty acids, oleic acid, and calcium improves metabolic and bone biomarkers in postmenopausal women. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 35(6), 529-536: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27463412/
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Watkins, B. A., Li, Y., Lippman, H. E., & Feng, S. (2003). Modulatory effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on osteoblast function and bone metabolism. Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids, 68(6), 387-398: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12798659/
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Kishikawa, A., Kitaura, H., Kimura, K., Ogawa, S., Qi, J., Shen, W. R., ... & Mizoguchi, I. (2019). Docosahexaenoic acid inhibits inflammation-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vivo through GPR120 by inhibiting TNF-α production in macrophages and directly inhibiting osteoclast formation. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10, 157: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2019.00157/full