What Doctors Don't Tell YouArthritis sufferers can get relief by changing their diet. Studies have shown that the fatty acids omega-3, found in fish oils, and omega-6, found in plant seeds, can help, as can a change to a vegetarian diet.
One study, first published in 1995, showed that some arthritis sufferers were able to stop taking anti inflammatory drugs after introducing fish oil supplements. Most noticed a decrease in the number of tender joints and in the duration of morning stiffness.
The improvements continued for eight weeks after stopping the omega-3 supplements.
A similar result was noted among arthritis sufferers who took omega-6 fatty acids for six months.
Sufferers could also try a vegetarian diet, which has also had some success (Townsend Letter for Doctors, November 1996).
For more on arthritis, see WDDTY vol 2, no 12, and vol 5, no 5.
Daniel Redwood DC
Tom Ferguson MD
