A hard workout or a long day of driving can result in serious body aches. Typically, you might reach for your bottle of ibuprofen, but Dr. Scott Noorda says omega-3s in fatty fish could also help. “Omega-3s can potentially reduce the frequency and severity of headaches (including migraines) by decreasing inflammation and improving blood flow,” he said.
People with arthritis might turn to topical creams, steroid injections, or acupuncture as alternatives to ibuprofen or other pills. Noorda said omega-3s can help relieve pain in the joints as well. “The anti-inflammatory effects can decrease the production of inflammatory mediators in the joints, thereby reducing pain and swelling,” he said. “This depends on the cause of the inflammation (e.g., acute injury vs. chronic arthritis).”
According to a 2022 narrative review in Nutrients, adding more foods like fatty fish that are rich in omega-3 might be able to slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Moreover, further research can provide more clarity on the use of omega-3 to treat osteoarthritis pain.