X. The Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Health

39. Are there other supplements that can help lower pain-causing noxious chemicals such as pro-inflammatory prostaglandins PgE2 and LTB4?

Very definitely, two of the best things you can do to lessen your pain and improve your overall wellness are to perform an "oil change" on yourself and add a good Magnesium Malate supplement to your diet. The Standardized American Diet (SAD) is deficient in many things, and two major nutrients high on that list is healthy fats, especially Omega-3 fatty-acid and Magnesium.

Your cells can actually take Omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA and produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. These anti-inflammatory prostaglandins you create from EPA/DHA fatty acids help you relieve pain and inflammation, promote optimal joint health, and support proper cardiovascular, nervous and immune system function. For these reasons, Omega-3 fatty acids have become very popular in the press. This has only recently increased because of numerous well done studies that have shown Omega-3 fatty acids to lower the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

40. What is the best way for someone with chronic pain to get adequate levels of EPA/DHA Omega-3 fatty acid in there diet?

Very definitely, two of the best things you can do to lessen your pain and improve your overall wellness are to perform an "oil change" on yourself and add a good Magnesium Malate supplement to your diet. The Standardized American Diet (SAD) is deficient in many things, and two major nutrients high on that list is healthy fats, especially Omega-3 fatty-acid and Magnesium.

Super Omega-3

One of the best sources for adequate levels of Omega-3 fatty-acids are deep sea fish. But there's a problem here, concentrating the oils of fish concentrate the levels of toxic chemicals, dioxins, PCBs and heavy metals. So it is extremely vital you get pharmaceutical grade fish oils that have been thoroughly tested and guaranteed for purity and potency.

To properly impact your muscle and joint pain problems it is vital to add a concentrated supplement of EPA/DHA Omega-3 fatty acids. Studies by Donaldson (2001) and Karatiner (2000) found a primarily vegetarian diet rich in fruits and vegetables and supplemented with adequate Omega-3 fatty acids significantly improved the quality of life of fibromyalgia patients. These chronic pain patients increased their flexibility and significantly reduced their pain in this study.

Individuals in multiple studies for chronic pain and inflammation generally receive about 3 grams of actual EPA/DHA acids per day. In some studies it was found that individuals sometimes needed take up to 6 grams of the EPA/DHA Omega-3 fatty acids to receive benefit.

Biospec makes an excellent concentrated EPA/DHA Omega-3 fatty acid supplement containing 1 gram of EPA/DHA fatty acids per 2 soft gels ingested. Individuals with chronic muscle and joint pain can take 2 capsules three times daily with meals, for a total of 3 grams of EPA/DHA. Again you must give this time to really take effect, about four to six weeks at a minimum.

41. I have heard some people refuse to take Omega-3 fatty acids because they get a "fishy" after taste with supplementation?

If you have a real problem with a "fishy" after taste with Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, then try an enteric coated EPA/DHA supplements or try Metagenics EPA-DHA Lemon soft gels. It is another highly concentrated soft gel EPA/DHA supplement, which features a natural light lemon after taste, again dosage is suggested at 2 soft gels three times daily with meals for chronic pain and inflammation. Once you have released a great deal of your active and latent trigger points and your pain level has gone down considerably, you can cut down your EPA/DHA Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in-half to 1 capsule three times daily. The beneficial effects of EPA/DHA Omega-3 fatty acids behooves individuals to make it part of their wellness program. However, as with any self-care program individuals should always check with their doctor before they start, especially if they are on any medications.

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