Finally, a Real Alternative to Painkillers

If you live with arthritis or any other condition that causes chronic pain, you are probably all-too-familiar with the risks of over-the-counter pain medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like aspirin and ibuprofen effectively relieve the pain and swelling that causes discomfort, but if you take them for more than ten days at a time they begin to damage your stomach. In the worst cases, they can lead to bleeding ulcers, which can be very dangerous.

Many NSAIDs also make your liver work harder. When taken for a day or two, this is not a big deal. Over the long-term, though, it can get to be a problem.

Fortunately, new research shows that omega-3 fatty acids provide an effective alternative to painkilling drugs.

Two hundred fifty patients living with chronic pain began taking a fish oil supplement. Within four weeks, 59 percent of them were able to discontinue their use of over-the-counter painkillers. Other studies have found that an omega-3 supplement works as well as prescription drugs when it comes to relieving arthritis pain.

The easiest way to make sure you get enough omega-3 fatty acids is to take a fish oil or cod liver oil supplement. Make sure the supplement you choose contains at least 400 mg of EPA and 200 mg of DHA. These two forms of omega-3s are critical to good results.

Some people complain that fish oil causes them to burp and leaves a fishy aftertaste. To avoid this, choose a supplement that has an enteric coating. This delays the breakdown of the capsule until it reaches the small intestine, and that eliminates any bad aftertastes for most people.

Omega-3 fatty acids are much safer than NSAIDs. They also provide additional benefits like a healthier heart and better brain function.

Stay well,
Danny Wallace