These drugs work to block cyclooxygenase in order to reduce and prevent inflammation. Ibuprofen, steroids, Aleve, Vioxx, aspirin, and Celebrex are just some of the names used for over-the-counter and prescription medications that are in this class. As these drugs have become more popular with each passing year the side effects have become more apparent. Patients are showing increased risks of heart attacks and strokes, prolonged stomach irritation, ulcers, and lethal gastric hemorrhages. In their practice they have begun to use fish oil and omega-3 essential fatty acids in an attempt to reduce or replace as many manufactured anti-inflammatory medications as possible. In their experience they found enough anecdotal evidence to believe that fish oil is one of the most promising natural anti-inflammatory supplements available today. The real plus to using fish oil is a lack of lethal side effects.Dr. Maroon, in his position as team neurosurgeon for an NFL team, began to advise athletes to take omega-3 supplements for joint pain, muscle soreness, and exercise-induced asthma. The overwhelmingly positive response to the use of fish oil prompted him to continue this study and write this book. Most physicians are unaware of the extreme benefits and anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil, it is for that reason they felt the need to put out a book explaining their experience using omega-3 fatty acids to fight inflammation.
In their introduction they go on to explain the mechanism of action for omega-3 in a plain and simple discussion that is suitable for readers of all levels. They did an admirable job of presenting complex information in an understandable and easily readable format. The discussion actually begins by talking about the protective response of the body to many injuries and conditions that causes inflammation. They also cover many of the cultural reasons that inflammation has become common in the American or Western culture.
In the second section of this book they deal with the, and anti-inflammatory medications that are so prevalent on shelves and from your physician. The discuss the pros and cons of using these medications. They also delve into the long-term side effects of these drugs and the reasons for which they believe fish oil is a much more practical solution for the long-term reduction of inflammation within the body.
In the reading, they establish concrete reasons for using omega-3 essential fatty acids for managing chronic inflammatory conditions. They discuss the safety of essential fatty acid therapies and also the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Their conclusion is that fish oil is the best option for long-term treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions. They site hundreds of clinical trials that speak to the effectiveness of fish oil for treating the large number of health conditions that currently plague our society. This effectiveness ranges from preventing, offsetting, and in many cases healing the conditions themselves.
They conclude the book with a discussion of various brands of fish oil and what it takes to find a product that contains the proper amount of essential fatty acids without any of the contaminants that are so prevalent in highly processed foods. The point here is that not all fish oil is produced in the same manner, and the method of production along with the purification process makes a difference in the effectiveness of the supplement. With almost 15% of our total gross national product being spent on healthcare, the authors believe that it is time to find alternative techniques that will allow our bodies to regain the balance of health.
