block cyclooxygenase in order to reduce and prevent inflammation

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.

Supplementing The Diet With Omega-3 Rich Food

Dyspraxia is a developmental condition characterized by the impairment of muscle coordination and organization. Although this condition can improve with therapy and special classroom accommodations, research shows that omega-3 supplements play a role in reducing symptoms.

Kids with dyspraxia have difficulty carrying out complex actions like buttoning a shirt, catching a ball, or tying shoelaces. Their handwriting is often difficult to read and they experience trouble with language, thought, perception, and attention. Early detection of dyspraxia is critical to a child's recovery; experts have observed that children whose dyspraxia was discovered early in life are more likely to be accepted by peers, have high self-esteem, and experience fewer academic difficulties.

Although there is no single cause attributed to dyspraxia, experts believe that this disorder is be due to the slow development of neurons in the brain, which is linked to various environmental factors. Current research also discovered that children with dyspraxia and related learning disorders are often deficient in essential fatty acids like omega-3 fats, and the nutrients needed to process them. Dyspraxia and its related disorders are triggered by poor neuron communication in the brain, and omega-3 fats EPA and DHA allow neurons to send loud and clear messages to each other. Doctors from the Hammersmith Hospital in London discovered that 97 kids with dyslexia (a similar disorder characterized by difficulties learning to read, write and spell) were deficient in omega-3 essential fatty acids. In fact, the children with the lowest scores in reading and writing were found to have the worst omega-3 fat deficiencies.

On the other hand, supplementing the diet with omega-3 rich food or fish oil supplements can reduce the difficulties related to dyspraxia. A trial in Oxford provided supplements to 117 children with dyspraxia; one group was given omega-3 fats EPA and DHA and the healthy omega-6 fat GLA, while the other took a placebo. After three months, the researchers noted that the children in the omega-3 group made significant improvements in writing, fine motor skills, and attention span compared to those in the placebo group. Another study from the University of Surrey gave EPA, DHA, and GLA to 15 dyspraxic children whose performance in a standardized motor coordination test put them in the bottom 1% of their age group. After 12 weeks of taking these supplements, all children showed dramatic improvements in terms of balance, ball skills, and overall dexterity.

So if your dyspraxic child has the symptoms of an omega-3 fatty acid deficiency (cracked lips, dull hair, brittle nails, or excessive thirst), supplementing the diet with fish oils may relieve some of the difficulties caused by the disorder.