Everyday we are bombarded with nutritional advice and new supplements for various health conditions, but one in particular is making great strides in combating a multitude of health issues!

Omega-3 has been known for it’s cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory properties but studies are now demonstrating that a diet rich in Omega-3 helps protect levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain!  Doctors don’t really know exactly why that is, but it’s certainly exciting!  It means that if you suffer from depression type symptoms, you may greatly benefit by adding Omega-3 to your diet either through food sources or supplementation.  Not only will your heart be happier but so will your mood!

Now that we have proof of how important adequate amounts of Omega-3 is to our body, lets take a look at how to make sure we are getting enough!  This can be done through food sources, which in my opinion is always a great place to start.  Your body knows what to do with whole food as far as breaking it down and processing it naturally.  Eating an Omega rich source like oily fish 2-3 times a week would be sufficient for most.  If you find you don’t particularly care for the food sources, perhaps a simple supplement would be a better fit.

Food Sources

• Sardines
• Wild Caught Salmon
• Flaxseeds
• Chiaseeds
• Walnuts
• Soybeans

Choosing an Omega-3 supplement can be a daunting task.  Understanding what it is help determine the best fit for you.  Omega-3 is comprised to two main components – EPA which is the anti-inflammatory aspect and DHA which is the beneficial brain component.  So when you’re searching for the right one, read the label!  We like Nordic Naturals ProOmega due to their low mercury levels, testing, and quality.  I also really like that they add natural flavor (lemon or strawberry) to them so if they happen to repeat a little while your body adjusts to them, it doesn’t leave a fishy aftertaste in your mouth.

If you decide to add Omega-3 supplements to your daily routine, talk to your doctor to be sure there aren’t any interactions with any other medications you may be on.  However, studies have shown that the administration of Omega-3 in conjunction with antidepressant treatment is superior to antidepressant treatment alone.

At StillWaters Healing Center, we are often asked what is the number one thing we treat.  I’d have to say it’s PAIN.  All different kinds – chronic, acute, localized, widespread, mystery pain…you name it, we’ve seen it and have a great track record for recovery!  Most pain patients seem to have one thing in common: over the counter pain medications stopped working and they don’t want to take prescription pain meds.  Over the counter pain medicines are not meant to be taken daily for prolonged periods of time and can actually hinder your bodys ability to heal itself.

Here’s a fun little drug fact:  Physicians in the United States annually write almost 100 million prescriptions, 20 million in England, and 10 million in Canada.  Americans alone purchase 30 billion NSAID tablets annually!  The effects of long term use of over the counter pain medications have increased exponentially and ironically (or not ironically) so have autoimmune diseases.  Hmmm.  There is more great info in this blog!

Acupuncture is such an amazing healer!  It’s a whole-body complete medicine in itself.  It’s especially wonderful for aiding injuries.  By increasing bloodflow to an injured area, reducing inflammation and jumpstarting healing – after a little time of letting your body do the work, you’ll be back to enjoying the great quality of life you’ve always had!  Stop struggling with pain and popping bandaid pills – it’s time to heal your body!