In Part 3 of our Series on How to Take Charge of Your Arthritis, we discuss the 2nd tip from Victoria Chiropractor Dr. Mark Smith on what you can do to gain control of your arthritis and get well! Dr. Mark would be happy to come and speak about arthritis care to your seniors’ group, health group, or other group, please don’t hesitate to contact us to arrange a time!
Omega 3 oils
Within the last decade or so, the benefits of supplementing with omega 3 oils such as flaxseed oil, salmon oil, cod liver oil, and krill oil has been highly researched, and the evidence seems to suggest several possible benefits for those with arthritis:
Omega 3 Oils appear to have potential benefit for those suffering from arthritis
Omega 3 oils appear to:
- Act as a natural anti-inflammatory in the body- reducing joint pain caused by inflammation and acting better long-term than over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or ‘NSAIDS’)
- Reduce cartilage erosion in joints
- Maintain and promote brain and nerve health
In addition, omega 3 oils appear to:
- Help lower cholesterol levels
- Help maintain the health of the skin
- Help control depression and anxiety
- Help maintain cardiovascular health
- Have potential anti-cancer effects
- Boost immunity in children
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to human health, and must be found in the correct ratio with omega 6 fatty acids in the diet- which we get plenty of in the typical north american diet. It is believed that this ratio should be approximately 1:1, yet in the typical north american diet the ratio is approximately 1:20 of omega 3 to omega 6! Omega 3’s are also found in some nuts, flax, fish, eggs, and certain green vegetables.
It is therefore recommended for people with arthritis to take approximately 400 mg/day of fish or salmon oil with a big meal unless you have a blood condition such as issues with blood clotting. Taking the capsules at the beginning of a big meal can help prevent upset stomach or ‘fishy breath’ sometimes associated with taking fish oils.
With video motion xray of the spine, Dr. Mark is able to identify and show patients where arthritis is. He is then able to work on the affected areas with confidence.
Dr. Mark is often able to help patients with arthritis through chiropractic care by identifying exactly where the arthritis is and using specific chiropractic adjusting techniques to restore as much motion and realignment to the affected areas as possible. This can often decrease muscle spasm, increase fluid flow in and out of joints, and relieve pressure and irritation from surrounding nerves, allowing the body to function better.
Stay tuned for our next article with a new tip on how to take charge of your arthritis!