More Than Just Brain Food

Most of us are well aware of the importance of providing our bodies with fish oils, also referred to as brain food, which supply us with the essential fatty acids (EFAs) omega-3 and omega-6 that our bodies cannot produce.

In addition to its dietary benefit, omega-3 is used as supplemental therapy for treating heart disease, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, ADHD, certain skin conditions, and diabetes. But did you know it can also help relieve chronic neck and low back pain?

A study published in Surgical Neurology (April 2006) showed that participants suffering from nonsurgical neck or back pain experienced improvement from supplementing with 1,200 to 2,400 mg of omega-3 per day. After an average of 75 days of supplementation, 59 percent of the respondents discontinued taking their prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) pain medications; 60 percent experienced less joint pain; 80 percent expressed satisfaction with their improvement; and 88 percent stated they would continue taking fish oil.

If you suffer from chronic neck or back pain, be proactive and talk to your health care practitioner about the safer alternative of supplementing with fish oil. What have you got to lose?