Osteoarthritis is a complex disease, and was once viewed as a

“non-inflammatory” and “wear and tear” condition of joints. However, we

now know that inflammation does in fact promote the expression of

osteoarthritis. On a basic level we see this fact bearing out in the

drug prescribing behavior of doctors. Anti-inflammatory medications are

the first line prescription for osteoarthritis because it is a

low-grade chronic inflammatory condition.

 

Anti-inflammatory medications inhibit biochemicals called

prostaglandins, which are formed from the fatty acids that we eat in

various foods. Seed/legume oils (corn, safflower, sunflower,

cottonseed, peanut, and soybean oils), as well as fatty domesticate

meat contain precursor fatty acids for the pain producing

prostaglandins. In contrast, wild game, grass-feed beef, most fish,

green vegetables, and certain seeds (hemp, chia, and flax) contain

omega-6 fatty acids that produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.

Clearly, we should be eating the foods that make the anti-inflammatory

biochemicals.

 

A recent study examined the fatty acids from various wild and

farm-raised fish. All fish studied had appropriate levels of fatty

acids except for three; those being farm-raised catfish, farm raised

tilapia, and bronzini (Mediterranean sea bass), which had excessively

high levels of inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids (1). In interviews

regarding their paper, the authors urged those with inflammatory

conditions to avoid these inflammatory fish.

 

If we have an inflammatory condition like osteoarthritis, it is

important to eat an anti-inflammatory diet, so as not to “feed”

ourselves with the joint inflammation/pain foods mentioned above. A

diet rich in vegetables, fruit, lean animal protein, and fish represent

anti-inflammatory foods.

 

Regarding inflammation, part of the beneficial effects of the

glucosamine, chondroitin, and boron found in Elations are

anti-inflammatory in nature. So the best approach we can take is to eat

anti-inflammatory foods and drink Elations.

 

I am big supplement consumer myself. Everyday I take a multivitamin,

magnesium, fish oil, vitamin D, coenzyme Q10, glucosamine/chondroitin,

and more. I like Elations because it allows me to take less pills, and

because no supplement has 3 mg of boron except for Elations. One of my

favorite ways to take Elations is in a smoothie. I use Elations as the

beverage of choice along with a little water, which I add to my protein

powder and frozen fruit. This combination makes for an excellent snack

or meal replacement.

 

 

1.            Weaver KL, Ivester P, Chilton JA, Wilson MD, Pandey P, Chilton FH.

The content of favorable and unfavorable polyunsaturated fatty acids

found in commonly eaten fish. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008;108:1178-1185.

 

 

 

____________

David R. Seaman, DC, MS

http://www.deflame.com