This article serves as another reminder that pain-killing drugs are rarely necessary.

Why take the risk of serious side effects from anti-inflammatories when you can create your own anti-inflammatory? You can help achieve this by changing the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in your diet.

The best way to realign your ratio of fats into the healthy range is by taking some form of fish or cod liver oil supplement. If you are going to achieve the amazing health benefits of omega-3 fats, you will need a high quality source.

But how do you know which fish oil is best for you? Here are three quick tests:

1. Make sure that your brand is free of mercury and PCBs. This will not be on the label so you will need to:

   • Contact the manufacturer for their analysis
   • Review an independent third party that has analyzed the product
   • Hire a company to test the product yourself

2. Confirm that there are very low oxidation products in the fish or cod liver oil.

   It is important to understand fish and cod liver oil have long chain unsaturated fats (primarily EPA and DHA) and they are very susceptible to oxidation or damage. If the oil is not processed properly damage will occur. Many years ago nearly all the fish oils were oxidized. That is why when you mention cod liver oil to most anyone they turn up their nose in disgust. Typically, they only taste bad when they are oxidized.

3. Make certain that your fish oil or cod liver oil has therapeutic levels of vitamin E in it.

Nearly all manufacturers insert a small amount of one unit per teaspoon. This is sufficient to prevent oxidation of the fish oil in the bottle. However, after you consume it this is woefully inadequate. Your body will tend to oxidize the fish oil and much larger doses of vitamin E are needed to prevent the fish oil from going rancid in your body.

There are several high quality fish oils on the market, but most of them are not and you are playing Russian roulette with your health unless you do your homework. Do you own test as I have described above or select Carlson’s fish or cod liver oil. You can purchase them in nearly any health food store or you can support our work and all the free information we provide you and purchase it in our store.

Another important variable will be to avoid sugar. I know that sounds ridiculously simple-minded but it is a very powerful strategy. Sugar and most grains will cause your insulin levels to rise. Elevated insulin levels are a very serious impairment of delta 6 desaturase that converts the fish oil fat to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. So not only will you need high quality omega-3 fats but you will need to make sure you have low insulin levels.

Increasing your cardiovascular exercise is another powerful way to lower your insulin levels and is highly recommended if you wish to have your pain removed.

I have taken care of many thousands of patients with crippling rheumatoid diseases and can tell you quite confidently that these strategies are highly effective.

Last, and certainly not least, please consider an energy psychology technique like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). There is nearly always an emotional component to pain and EFT is an effective tool in this area. You can download my free manual for further information. However, if you have severe pain or serious emotional challenges it is always recommended that you see a qualified licensed mental health professional that knows how to use EFT.

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