Omega 3 rich flax seedPeople who suffer from the extreme pain caused by arthritis are willing to try anything if it can only provide slightest hope of relief!

And the snake oil salesmen are everywhere with expensive, ineffective products.

But how about an inexpensive, readily-available supplement (in most supermarkets) that has actually been proven to provide relief in several studies?

There are different remedies and supplements suggested for arthritis and the results are varied. While some provide relief, others are not recommended as their effectiveness and safety are questionable.

But there is one supplement that is inexpensive and good for overall health, including the joints. It is omega 3 fatty acids, found abundantly in walnuts, soybean oil and cold water fish like tuna and salmon.

The best sources are flax seed and fish oils and supplements can be easily found at drug stores and most supermarkets.

The recommended quantity of the flax seed oil supplement is just 3 – 10 grams daily. It is particularly effective to take supplements that contain both DHA and EPA, both of which are types of omega 3 fatty acids.

The omega 3 fatty acids are well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties. They stimulate production of certain chemicals that control inflammation in joints, blood and tissues.

Several studies have proved that fish oil is definitely effective for improvement in morning stiffness and joint tenderness, when taken regularly. Best of all, they are effective for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

With recent studies pointing out the serious side-effects caused by prescription drugs for arthritis like Vioxx and Celebrex, it has become more important than ever before to find natural ways to cure the disease.

A recent research has identified substances in DHA and EPA which can provide relief from arthritis pain without any harmful effect. These substances have been appropriately named ‘resolvins’ and ‘protectins’.

One scientific study investigated the effect of intravenous injections of omega 3 fatty acids in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Just one dose a day, along with prescription medications resulted in a remarkable improvement in symptoms.

Another study based in Brazil, showed that patients who took 3 grams of omega 3 fatty acids for 3 months showed marked improvement in pain intensity, grip strength and fatigue.

All studies point to the fact that consuming flax seed or fish oil on a regular basis is just what arthritis patients need to cut down on the medications with all the nasty side effects.

And it’s not just us, even cats get relief form osteoarthritis with fish oil supplements according to a Netherlands-based study.

But Omega-3 fat is not enough to completely reverse arthritis. Here are the exact steps I took to eliminate my arthritis pain in 28 days…