The Fatty Food That Beats Arthritis
Last week, I revealed that omega-3s can help reduce aggressive behavior and boost mood.
And, of course, omega-3s are great for your heart and your cognitive function.
But these healthy fats are the gift that keeps on giving.
According to a recent study, omega-3s ALSO have some impressive effects against a common form of joint pain.
Osteoarthritis (OA) impacts over 32 million adults in the USA alone. It’s the most common form of arthritis. The older you get, the greater your risk of developing this degenerative joint disease.
However, omega-3s could help with a powerful two-pronged approach if you’re battling this painful condition.
First, these healthy fats target inflammation, which plays a significant role in the development and progression of OA.
Plus, the ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s in your diet determines whether your body has a more pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory response—which is why higher omega-6 to 3 ratios are associated with more knee pain.
But omega-3s boost compounds called specialized proresolving modulators (SPMs) that don’t just reduce inflammation… they resolve it.
So, when you consume more omega-3s, you can reduce inflammation, slow the progression of OA, and dial down your pain, too.
Second, human studies show that supplementing with the omega-3 DHA can lead to thicker cartilage.
This strikes at the core of OA since the condition is characterized by the wearing down of cartilage at the ends of your joints.
The only problem with omega-3s is that your body doesn’t produce enough on its own. That means you must get these critical fats from your diet.
Fortunately, just two weekly servings of fatty fish like salmon, tuna, or sardines can provide all the omega-3s your body needs.
P.S. Over most of my medical career, we thought that osteoarthritis was almost entirely caused by wear and tear on your joints. But it turns out we were all wrong. CLICK HERE to discover the REAL cause.
SOURCE:
Shawl, M., Geetha, T., Burnett, D., & Babu, J. R. Omega-3 Supplementation and Its Effects on Osteoarthritis. Nutrients, 16(11), 1650.
