Omega-3's and Joint Pain:

Can Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and joint pain? Unless you never read the paper or watch the news, surely you have heard about the benefits of fish oil and Omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil supplements have been selling in good numbers the last few years, in response to the many health benefits attributed to them.

Among the benefits touted are better heart health, improved immune function and brain health, greater energy, and a reduced inflammatory effect on your joints. It seems that our modern diet is sorely lacking in good fats. Some say that grass fed beef is much healthier because of the high amounts of Omega-3's.

Increased fish intake would seem to be the logical answer, as fish, particularly cold water fish such as salmon, have higher amounts of these oils. The only problem is that fish can be contaminated with toxins, such as mercury, which means limiting your fish intake.

Fish oil supplements have become popular for their convenience, but there is some debate about the quality in some cases, as companies look to make more money while taking shortcuts.

Krill oil has started to make some publicity as a better source of DHA and EPA, the healthful ingredients in fish. Krill is a form of small shrimp that make up a large part of whales' diet. Some research has shown that krill includes phospholipids and antioxidants in greater quantity than fish oil.

Something to consider would be using some form of krill oil supplement for increased health. One study suggested that krill oil promotes joint health and mobility. While I definitely believe in joint mobility and movement in general for good health, I also know that what you eat can play a big role in your joints feeling inflamed and your overall energy levels.

I will be looking at different brands to see how well they work and determine how they are processed. You can also do some searching yourself, just remember, not all companies care about quality and some cut corners to make more money.