More than a quarter of all adults in the United States struggle with back pain, The American Academy of Pain Medicine reports. Back pain is a serious medical condition that increases the risk of low mood, irritability and disability. If you have a bad back that won't get better, contact your physician to determine what treatment options are appropriate for you. Additionally, taking fish oil supplements may help alleviate your bad back.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is a potent source of omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. EPA and DHA are highly absorbed and utilized by the body, making them more effective than plant-based omega-3 fats,the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. You can take fish oil in supplemental form or obtain it from fatty fish such as salmon and herring.
Evidence
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center recruited a group of 250 back pain sufferers to determine if fish oil could help relieve their pain. Research published in the April 2006 edition of "Surgical Neurology" determined that daily fish oil supplements relieved back pain in many of the research subjects. After 75 days of taking the fish oil supplements more than 80 percent reported an improvement in their back pain symptoms. In fact, the researchers found that the effectiveness of fish oil rivaled nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen.
How It Works
Omega-3 fats heavily influence your body's immune system. Consuming omega-3 fat regularly can help reduce the inflammation that can cause or exacerbate back pain. In addition, the fats in your diet influence the formation of cell membranes. Omega-3 fats can make your cell membranes more fluid and less likely to cause pain.
Safety
In the previously mentioned research in "Surgical Neurology," subjects didn't report side effects with the taking of fish oil for back pain. However, fish oil supplements aren't for everyone. If you have diabetes or are taking blood-thinning medications, you should speak to a doctor before taking fish oil supplements or eating fatty fish on a regular basis.
References
- American Academy of Pain Medicine: Facts and Figures on Pain
- University or Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- "Surgical Neurology"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) as an Anti-inflammatory: An Alternative to Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs for Discogenic Pain; J.C. Maroon, et al.; April 2006
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