According to a study done in 2012, Omega 3s can greatly benefit fibromyalgia patients. Medical literature has shown time and again how omega 3s are great for helping with cardiovascular and issues with joint health.
Therefore, it should come as no great shock that omega 3s have their place in helping those patients who are suffering from fibromyalgia pain.
If you’re suffering from fibromyalgia Omega 3s work well to help reduce your symptoms.
Omega 3s act as forerunners to chemicals that help reduce pain and inflammation. By contrast Omega 6 fatty acids can increase inflammation and create chronic pain. It’s important to always differentiate between the two.
If you take the wrong form you can be making your fibromyalgia worse. Read your labels and ensure that you’re taking the right form of Omegas. There are three main types of Omega 3s.
There are Alpha Linoleic acids or as they are often referred to, ALA. There are Docosahexaenoic acids or DHA and then there are eicosapentaenoic acids or EPA.
Recent studies have shown that patients who take at least 1500 mgs of Omega 3 fatty acid supplements per day have shown a large drop in their cholesterol levels and they have fewer tender points and less muscle tightening.
They also show less fatigue. Omega 3s act as an anti-inflammatory in the body. Although there isn’t any scientific evidence at present to prove how or why they seem to work, many swear by Omega 3s as a way to relieve pain and discomfort.
According to one study, one patient was successfully able to lower her pain levels from a level 8 out of 10 points to just 3 out of 10 points by using Omega 3s for seven months.
Authors of this study believe that a good high quality Omega 3 supplement may be well worth the investment for pain relief in fibromyalgia patients.
It is suggested that patients wishing to try Omega 3s as a remedy seek out the highest concentration of the EPA and the DHA per serving. When using fish oils, seek a product that is cold weather produced near the Arctic.
Fish that are harvested in warmer waters may have toxic levels of mercury and a lot of fibromyalgia patients are very sensitive to mercury.
According to the study, patients should try the supplements for at least six months before they will begin to see results although many see results much sooner. If the supplements cause nausea or burping consider freezing the capsules before taking them.
Take the supplements with a meal and split the doses up so that you’re consuming them with each meal. If patients are suffering from severe pain it is recommended that supplements be taken with Lyrica or Cymbalta.
Where To Find Omega 3s
Besides cold water fish, you can find Omega 3s in sardines, wild caught salmon and herring.
Sadly, albacore tuna is no longer a good source as it can contain very high levels of mercury which can in turn exacerbate fibromyalgia.
Nutrition Tips
Begin by checking for potential food allergies. Possible food allergies that may affect fibromyalgia include the following:
- Wheat (gluten)
- Soy
- Corn
- All Preservatives
- Food Additives
Increase the consumption of foods that are high in antioxidants such as the following foods:
- Blueberries
- Tomatoes
- Cherries
- Kale
- Spinach
- Bell Peppers
– Avoid all refined foods. This should include avoiding white breads, all pasta (gluten) and white sugar.
– Reduce the consumption of red meats and focus instead on eating more lean meats. Eat more cold water fish, tofu (unless there is a soy allergy) and beans (ideal for protein).
– Choose healthy oils for cooking such as olive oils and coconut oil.
– Eliminate all trans fats. This will include eliminating baked goods that have been cooked with trans fats as well as things such as french fries, donuts, onion rings, highly processed foods and all margarines.
– Drink less alcohol and reduce the intake of caffeine. Stop smoking and stop using any tobacco products. Limit all foods that are high in sugar, high in salt and high in fat.
– Avoid MSG or monosodium glutamate.
– Make sure to drink a full six to eight glasses of filtered or purified water daily.
Supplements
Take Omega 3 supplements daily. This could be one or two capsules or one to two tablespoons of fish oil daily. This should help to reduce inflammation and improve your immune system.
Always check with your health care provider prior to taking Omega 3s, especially if you’re on any type of blood thinners like aspirin or warfarin (this includes Coumadin).
Take a daily multivitamin that contains antioxidants like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin # and all of the B vitamins. You’ll also want it to contain the trace minerals like magnesium and calcium as well as zinc and selenium.
Take a Vitamin C supplement daily. This can be a 500 to a 1000 mg capsule or tablet. It works as an antioxidant and helps to support your immune system.
Other Supplements You May Wish To Consider:
25 to 50 MG twice per day of Alpha Lipoic Acid. This may lower your thiamine levels and react with some medications that are used in chemotherapy and thyroid treatments, so be sure to check with your doctor before taking this supplement.
SAMe 800 mg for emotional and immune support. Note: If you are taking any type of medication for manic or bipolar disorders DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. It could have negative side effects.
Probiotics as required to help maintain a healthy gut and for improving the immune system.
Vitamin D to help skeletal support
COQ10 100 to 200 mg at bedtime. This helps to improve the immune system and support the muscular support. Again, if you’re on any type of blood thinners do not take this without first checking with your doctor.
As always, check with your doctor before trying any new remedy or supplement. Many supplements can interfere with medications and your doctor can best advise you regarding medication interactions with supplements. For most people suffering from fibromyalgia, Omega 3s work well to reduce their pain and symptoms.
Further reading:
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/fibromyalgia
http://www.progressivehealth.com/using-omega-3-for-fibromyalgia.htm
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