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12/06/2007: "Omega-3, Omega-6 and Arthritis"

I’ve watched my mom suffer from arthritis for most of my life. I blogged about inflammation last month and how it is our own immune system attacking our bodies beyond what is needed. This swelling in her hands and joints has been debilitating. While reading about the benefits of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, I came across some literature supporting the use of these as supplements to reduce inflammation and assist the body in many other ways.

Medical science does not have a good solution for arthritis. They mainly give the patient anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Joel Kremer, MD of Albany Medical College feels that groups of eicosanois called leukotrienes have been identified as a possible cause of pain and inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids from fresh cold water fish oil reduces the inflammation of the chemical composition of the leukotrienes.

British researchers found that the natural herb feverfew was shown to be as effective as aspirin with fewer side effects. This is a much healthier alternative to pain management.

Unlike the typical American diet, there are many cultures in this world that have the opportunity to eat a lot of cold ocean water fish such as wild salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines and eel. These populations show the benefits of increased Omega-3 and Omega-6 intake.

Other benefits of supplementing with fish oil, includes a reduction in cancer promoting substances, a drop in blood cholesterol and the prevention of atherosclerosis. A study at St. Luke’s Medical Center showed that patients taking fish oil supplements had a drop of overall cholesterol by 24 percent. Triglyceride levels went down 48 percent. As a result, these patients cut their risk of heart attacks by 50 percent.

Besides using them for my own efforts, I am gong to recommend to my mother that she try regular supplements of Salmon oil form Scandinavia and a dose of feverfew. Like most dietary supplements, it needs close to a month’s time before improvements are noticed. So if you decide to try it, hang in there for several months.