Fish oils. There are numerous theories as to what actually causes fibromyalgia, but it is generally recognized that the poorly understood condition often results in what appears to be systemic inflammation for many of the people that suffer from it. Because of this, it is important that fibromyalgia sufferers stick primarily to an anti-inflammatory diet that includes plenty of fish oils.
Since one of the marked characteristics of fibromyalgia is intense muscle and joint pain, supplementing with high-grade salmon oil, skate liver oil, or a fermented cod liver and butter oil blend, for instance, can provide amazing relief for fibromyalgia sufferers, as these oils help lubricate the muscular system and fortify the body with necessary omega-3 fatty acids, which feed the brain and quell inflammation.
Fibromyalgia is also marked by neurological damage in the brain, particularly as it involves the normal production of brain neurotransmitters such as serotonin. By regularly supplementing with therapeutic doses of high-grade fish oils, fibromyalgia sufferers may be able to help restore proper neural function and balance out their central nervous systems’ response to pain and other sensations.
Did you know that there are natural ways to lower your blood pressure safely and effectively? Scientific studies have shown that both ordinary tomatoes and the naturally occurring substance CoQ10 can provide benefits to people with high blood pressure.
A systemic review of four separate studies into lycopene’s effect on blood pressure found that lycopene consumption consistently reduced systolic blood pressure, and also improved cholesterol levels when doses exceeded 25 mg per day.
In a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Human Hypertension in 2007, researchers reviewed 12 separate clinical trials that tested the effects of CoQ10 on the blood pressure of a total of 362 patients. Three of the studies included were randomized and controlled. In every single study, CoQ10 was found to reduce blood pressure by between 11 and 17 points (mm Hg) for systolic blood pressure and eight to 10 points for diastolic blood pressure. This drop is equivalent to that from many blood pressure drugs
Men and women may benefit from different types of omega-3 fatty acid supplements to reduce their risk of stroke or heart attacks linked to blood clots, says a new study from Australia.
Supplements of DHA may reduce clot formation in women by about 18%, while similar risk reductions were observed in men only for EPA supplements, according to findings published in the Journal of Nutrition.
“With respect to thrombotic disease risk, men would likely benefit more from supplementation of EPA, whereas women are more responsive to DHA.”
Taking aspirin regularly appears to slightly raise the risk of the eye condition known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, new research suggests.
The increased risk only occurred with people who had taken aspirin regularly 10 years before they were diagnosed with the potentially blinding eye disease. They had taken aspirin at least twice a week for more than three months, says researcher Barbara E.K. Klein, MD, MPH.
The risk was for the type of macular degeneration known as wet or neovascular AMD, says Klein, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison.
Wet macular degeneration is generally more severe than another version, known as dry macular degeneration.
Three cups of flavonoid rich black tea per day may reduce the variability in blood pressure at night, says a new clinical trial.
“We have shown, for the first time to our knowlege, that the consumption of black tea can lower rates of systolic and diastolic blood pressure variation at nighttime,” wrote researchers in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Frequent consumption of walnuts could help to slash the risk of type 2 diabetes by almost a quarter, according to new research.
(Source: nutraingredients.com)
Long chain omega-3 fatty acids may help to boost the immune system by enhancing the functioning of immune cells, according to new research.
(Source: nutraingredients.com)
Omega-3s have also been well established as potent anti-inflammatories, a benefit that earned another “A” from the Mayo Clinic. Even one or two daily capsules can apparently significantly reduce systemic inflammation.
This may explain some of the more specific health benefits that omega-3 supplementation provides, such as relief of seasonal asthma (an inflammatory condition). Omega-3s have also been shown to provide some relief to the symptoms of lupus, and may reduce the severity of inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease enough to allow patients to reduce their doses of anti-inflammatory drugs or even stop taking them altogether.
The Mayo Clinic also gave a grade of “A” to studies showing that rheumatoid arthritis patients taking regular fish oil supplements experienced less stiffness and joint pain, to a degree comparable to that from over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs.
Inflammation is the body’s normal response to injury. While it may be a natural defense system, it can lead to disease development if it becomes chronic. A University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) expert says one way to fight inflammation is with food.
The inflammation process has one goal: to respond immediately to detect and destroy the toxic material in damaged tissues before it can spread throughout the body,” explained Lauren Whitt, Ph.D., UAB Employee Wellness director and adjunct professor of personal health. “The trouble with inflammation occurs when the defense system gets out-of-control and begins to destroy healthy tissue, causing more damage than the original issue.”
“I encourage people to focus on eating whole foods and foods that are high in fiber,” Whitt said.
Anti-inflammatory foods to try:
• Citrus fruits — Vitamin C and Vitamin E are essential antioxidants
• Dark, leafy greens — High in Vitamin K
• Tomatoes — The fruit’s red pigment, lycopene, is a potent antioxidant
• Wild-caught salmon — Contains a rich concentration of omega-3 fatty acids
See Yourself Well Omega-3 is a great source of fatty acids.
(Source: sciencedaily.com)
Try See Yourself Well’s Krill Oil! Krill with CLA or Krill with Evening Primrose Oil.