Omega 3 - Where Art Thou?

I received a question from a reader, Jack in Oregon, asked: "Can you explain why you think Omega 3 oils are beneficial for your joints? I use Flax Seed oil in my food and think it's a good thing and can't find anything that shows to take Omega 3 for joint pain."

MyAchingKnees reply: Omega 3 Fatty Acids are found in Flax Seed Meal and Oil. It's great for a person to use with their foods, if they are getting a whole source. I buy Flax Seed and use a coffee grinder to grind up and use in Steel Cut Oats for Breakfast or Lunch most of the time.

There are many sources that claim not only the joint pain reduction benefits of adding a good source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids to your diet, but link Omega 3 to other degenerative disease fighting benefits and energy transfer between cells especially in cognitive functions.

I don't think Omega 3's are the end all to nutritional supplements, but I think they are an essential optimizers to a balanced daily nutritional supplement. I think there is truck loads of information that you bring a person to believe that there are amazing changes in your health that can be brought about from taking a quality (read pharmaceutical grade) nutritional supplement and optimizers, especially combining that eating good foods and avoiding bad foods, getting physical exercise and avoiding a toxic lifestyle. I am convinced of that and will be taking the supplements I do for the rest of my life, including the Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Glucosamine, which I attribute to not only reducing, but eliminating my knee pain.

Below is a recent article (you have to do your diligence to find these articles) on Omega 3 Fatty Acids and the link to slowing arthritis and osteoarthritis both degenerative diseases and causes of sometimes unrelenting joint pain. The article from Natural News can be found here.

Omega-3 fats from fish oil and supplements prevent and slow arthritis progression

Humans have been consuming omega-3 fats from natural fish, nut and seed sources for countless generations. Our core genetic structure depends on a regular supply of the long chain omega-3 fats EPA and DHA to form cell wall structures and perform millions of metabolic functions that we normally associate with vibrant health. Imbalance of omega-3 to omega-6 fats cause a surge in inflammatory cytokines that can lead to the painful and debilitating condition known as osteoarthritis.

New research published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage has shown for the first time that omega-3 fats supplied by fish oil could "substantially and significantly" reduce the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis as we age.

Researchers from the University of Bristol in England tested the effect of omega-3 fats on a breed of guinea pigs that are genetically predisposed to develop arthritis. Guinea pigs were chosen for this study as they develop osteoarthritis in a similar manner to humans. Anecdotal reports over the years provide support for the beneficial effect of fish consumption on joint health. Dr. John Tarlton from the Matrix Biology Research Group and his team set out to confirm the impact of omega-3 fatty acids, either sourced from fish oil or flax oil, in preventing or slowing down the progression of osteoarthritis.

Omega-3 Fat Supplementation Slashes Osteoarthritis Disease Progression by Half

The team fed one group of guinea pigs a diet including full-spectrum omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA) and compared the results to a second control group of non-supplemented animals. Typical degradation of collagen in cartilage and the loss of molecules that give it shock-absorbing properties were both reduced in the omega-3 supplemented group. Researchers noted that omega-3 fats reduced disease by
50 per cent compared to the control group.

Upon examination of the results, Dr. Tarlton explained: "there was strong evidence that omega-3 influences the biochemistry of the disease, and therefore not only helps prevent disease, but also slows its progression, potentially controlling established osteoarthritis." This is a critical finding, as most people suffering from arthritis are prescribed a plethora of ineffective pain medications that
dramatically increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease or of suffering a heart attack.

Omega fat imbalance from a poor diet causes excessive joint inflammation and needless suffering. Researchers performing this study concluded "Most diets in the developed world are lacking in omega-3, with modern diets having up to 30 times too much omega-6 and too little omega-3. Taking omega-3 will help redress this imbalance and may positively contribute to a range of other health problems such as heart disease." Many health-minded individuals will want to supplement with a
molecularly distilled form of fish oil (minimum 1200 mg EPA/DHA content) each day to combat inflammation and osteoarthritis.


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DMSO – Good for Inflammation or Sore Joints?

Is DMSO good for sore joints? That was the question I received from William who wrote “My friend told me to rub DMSO on my knees and elbows to help with the soreness and pain after grappling sessions. What do you think? Another guy told me that he would never use it.”

DMSO, or dimethyl sulfoxide, is derived from wood pulp and is used as an industrial solvent. It has been used for medical purposes for almost half a century. I have used DMSO on my back and my elbows as well as DMSO is a topical analgesic. I also use it on horses when I combine the DMSO with other products as the DMSO acts as a delivery agent, penetrating the skin and taking the other substances with it. Hence if you do use it you should be sure the area is clean and free of residue like soap and stuff.

You found out that people either hate it or like it. I just think it has it’s uses, but you have to be careful. I would apply it wearing a good set of gloves. Once the DMSO is on the skin, you’ll receive a garlic like taste in your mouth within minutes. I have used DMSO in a paste/cream form as well as a roll on product.

The jury is still out on the long term effects of DMSO on humans, and while there is some studies on DMSO being used to cure some actual injuries or illnesses, probably due to it’s fantastic anti-oxidant properties, for joint pain and arthritic conditions it, at best, relieves symptoms. You still be faced with the causes of your joint pain, which can be greatly influenced by lack of nutrients as well as types of exercise or stress you place on them. Please also look into providing your body with the proper nutrients in order to provide protection against the effects of oxidative stress.


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Thanks for the Glucosamine - But Love the Phyto-Estrogen

MyAchingKnees.com received the following e-mail from a client: Just wanted to drop you’re a note and tell you how the products are helping my wife and I. If you don’t remember me, we connected on e-mail, then on a phone call. I’m the guy who said “I’m tired of feeling sick and tired.” And you replied “hey, I use that quote all the time as a question.” You also sent me a document with the supplement ranks. Whether you remember or not, I started the products. I’m taking the adult formulation and I was able to get my wife, who tends to be a non-believer in nutritional supplements, to take the daily supplement for teenagers. I actually forgot to order the Glucosamine, but included it on my second order. Now we have been taking the daily supplements for four months and my knee pain is gone. I walk stairs at work and going downstairs hurt worse, but now can do it without any pain. I have been meaning to write but felt obligated when I found out my wife also ordered the Phyto Estrogen product (she is 48 years old) and was experiencing hot flashes and mood swings. She tells me she started out taking one tablet a day and hasn’t felt the need to take the recommended dose of 3 pills day. Do you think there will be point when I can stop taking the Glucosamine, or should I just plan on taking it forever? Thanks, Jeff, South Carolina.

Jeff, thanks for writing. I don’t often hear from people. I still see their orders clear, so I am thinking they are doing well on the products, but I appreciate the direct feedback. My wife too, uses the Phyto Estrogen product and takes only one tablet. She had previously taken estrogen pills and creams to no effect. She says her mood swings are gone and still has the occasional hot flashes but won’t increase her dose. Women!,…if you figure them out, drop me a line,…..and some instructions.

I also experienced more pain going down stairs or down hill. I think the momentum of your body carrying forward as you plant your foot stresses the knee joint and especially so when it is un-healthy. My knee pain, when going uphill, is completely gone but occasionally I get a twinge stepping down stairs but nothing near like it was.

The Glucosamine is not intended to treat the symptoms of pain from the joints pain, but rather to provide nutrients to cartilage, so even length of time you stay on the Glucosamine will make provide the nutrients intended for joint cartilage. I like the results so I will most assuredly stay on the product as long as possible. And the Comparative Guide on Supplements was an eye opener, wasn't it.

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Charlie E's Chronic Knee Pain

The other day, without planning to shoot any video, I ran into Charlie E., and we used his video camera to shoot a short segment on the success that Charlie is having in reducing his chronic knee pain with what he credits to taking the pharmaceutical grade Glucosamine (Procosa II) and Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Bi-Omega) supplements.

If you are interested in looking into Pharmaceutical Grade Glucosamine and Omega 3 Fatty Acids, click here: Chronic Knee Pain