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Non Drug Pain Management Ideas: Fight pain and inflammation with Omega-3

Have you been hearing all the hype about Omega-3s lately?  What's up with that?  I am hoping to help explain that to you in this post.  

Omega 3s have been reported to be an important nutrient of late.  According to Dr. William Smith of the University of Michigan, fish oil significantly reduces the production and effectiveness of prostaglandins, the culprit behind the scenes in inflammatory processes in the human body.  In his studies, he says there are three mechanisms responsible for this:

1) Fewer prostaglandins are synthesized from Omega 3 oils as compared to  their cousins, the Omega 6 class.  Prostaglandins formed from Omega 6 oils are more likely to enhance the inflammatory process.

2) Omega 3 oils compete with Omega 6 oils for conversion to prostaglandins.  The enzymes involved in this biochemical process are known as COX-1 and COX-2 .  By increasing intake of Omega 3 oils more of the binding sites on COX-1 and COX-2 become blocked, so  fewer Omega 6 oils can get through the conversion process.  

3) It is interesting to note that the Omega 3 oils do go through a conversion process to become prostaglandins. But prostaglandins formed from Omega 3 oils are 2 to 50 times less potent than those formed from Omega 6.

Omega 3 oils have other health benefits--they help to prevent blood clot formation and are important for visual acuity and neuronal development.  So, in the end they other important health benefits besides helping control pain and inflammation.

There are a number of dietary supplements on the market that contain Omega-3.  The American Heart Association says that taking up to 3 grams per day is safe; do not take more unless it is under the guidance of a physician.  Food sources of Omega 3 include fatty fishes such as salmon,sardines, or halibut; eggs, margarine, milk, juice, soy milk, yogurt,nuts, oats,brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, watercress,flaxseed oil, and cod liver oil.




Sources:  
Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Omega 3 Fatty Acid In Fish Oil Linked To Lowering Of Prostaglandin

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