Arthritis sufferer’s number in the millions, so anything that helps them to reduce the pain of this debilitating condition is always welcome.
A recent study from Sweden may now have found something that does that.
Researchers found that a commonly available oil could be the key to stopping existing arthritis and even preventing it from getting started in the first place.
Dr. Daniela Di Giuseppe was lead author on the study from Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and she claims that a simple fish oil can make all the difference when it comes to combating rheumatoid arthritis.
The study followed subjects for more than a decade, and over that time it was learnt that the habit that correlated most with a lower likelihood of developing RA was high consumption of Omega 3 fatty acids. Simply put, those who ate the most fish had the lowest incidences of RA and other inflammatory process diseases.
Dr Di Giuseppe described this as the “protective effect” of Omega 3s on bodily tissues. It’s long been thought that Omega 3 fatty acids played a major role in joint health and the inflammation process, but this is the first time that conclusive proof of a connection has been found.
Fish and fish supplements contain Omega 3 fatty acids while Western diets often contain too much Omega 6 fatty acid, overpowering omega-3’s by a ratio of nearly 20 to 1. The majority of experts think that the ratio of the two in our diets should be more like 2 to 1.
With such a huge differential, it’s no wonder that inflammation has free rein in the body. With RA, this makes the body’s immune system turn on itself, attacking and degrading tissues, leading to pain and disability. But what this study has shown is that if Omega 3 and Omega 6 are balanced correctly it can have tremendous health benefits.
It’s nice to hear about this study because Omega 3 has long been a part of our plan, the same one that’s already helped thousands of people to beat arthritis without resorting to the unpleasantness and expense of medications.