Lately, it seems that Fish Oil has become a hot topic.  Recently, I’ve had a lot of patients as well as many friends and family members ask the benefits of Fish Oil.

Let’s start by explaining what Omega-3 Fatty Acids are.  These are the good guys, good fatty acids that you want in your diet.  They are naturally found in cold-water fish, shellfish, grass-fed beef, plants, walnuts, pecans, and flaxseed to name a few.  The long chain omega-3 fatty acids that come from fish and algae (also called EPA and DHA) are the most beneficial.  There are many studies out there suggesting that omega -3’s may provide some benefits to a variety of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis, among others.

Here are some suspected benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Good for the heart/arteries
• May decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease
• May reduce risk of Alzheimer’s
• May improve immune function

Now let’s explain Omega-6 Fatty Acids, the bad guys.  Most of us have way too many of these in our diet.  They are unsaturated fatty acids that can be found in poultry, eggs, avocado, grains/cereals, soybean oil, vegetable oil, etc.

Here are some suspected risks:

• Cause inflammation
• Poor heart/artery health
• May increase probability of depression
• May increase possibility of obesity
• May increase possibility of cancer

The optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid is thought to be 4 to 1 or even lower.  This is a major problem when the typical American diet contains a ratio of 10 to 1 or even close to 30 to 1!  To counter the effect of having too much omega-6 fatty acids (the bad guys) in your diet, your doctor may recommend that you eat more fish or take a fish oil supplement.  A flaxseed oil would have the same effect if you couldn't take a fish oil supplement, for example, a vegetarian could take flaxseed.

Who likes being sick?  Nobody, that’s who.  Nobody has an extra few days that they can spend laying on the couch in a time-out while life keeps going.  We all have stuff to do: work stuff, family stuff, kid stuff, and fun stuff.  Now that the summer is over and the kids are back in school, cold and flu season is right around the corner.

You don’t have to pay for a flu shot in order to avoid being sick.  Quite honestly, the idea of having someone inject chemicals and a virus into my blood stream at Walmart, the drug-store, or the Apple Festival does not seem like a good idea.  

Here are some free natural tips and healthy habits that can help most people avoid getting sick.

Rule Number One is to lead an active lifestyle with a healthy and nutritious diet.  Grandma was right, fruits and veggies go a long way towards keeping the doctors away!

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.  Many germs are transmitted this way.

• Avoid coughing/sneezing into your hand, the crook of your elbow is better if you don’t have a tissue.  It is important for kids to learn this.  They touch EVERYTHING, so when they sneeze or cough into their hand, it’s going to get on everything/everyone else.  Yuck!

• Wash your hands frequently: before you eat, before you leave the gym, when your kids get home from school, after you touch something dirty.

• Use disposable paper towels/bath tissue to dry your hands.  Towels and rags are breeding grounds for germs.

• Don’t eat while driving, it’s unsafe and your steering wheel is full of germs.

• if someone coughs or sneezes in close proximity, turn away.

• Wash toys with soap and water.

• Take your vitamins in addition to eating plenty of fruits and veggies.

• Drink plenty of fluids, but don’t share glasses/bottles.

• Get plenty of sleep, if you feel run down, take a nap to recharge so you don’t weaken your immune system and open yourself up to getting sick.

• Did you know that regular chiropractic adjustments help boost the immune system and facilitate healing?  Visit the office if you are feeling under the weather.  Chiropractors can also help with sinus trouble, congestion, and headaches.

• Come in after you’re sick too.  Repetitive coughing can tighten and strain throat, neck, and back muscles and put your body out of alignment.

• Open windows to circulate fresh air (weather permitting)

• Replace your kitchen sponge often, and put it in the dishwasher or microwave for 30 seconds (while wet—be careful it may be very hot when you take it out).

• Replace your toothbrush after you’ve been sick.

• Avoid touching public surfaces that are prone to have a lot of germs.

• Use your forearm to open doors instead of your hands when possible.

• Don’t use your finger to push an elevator button, they rarely get cleaned. Use your knuckle or the side of your hand.

• Clean common household items that accumulate germs:

◦     Door knobs

◦     TV remote

◦     Refrigerator door

◦     Car doors, steering wheel

◦     Car keys

◦     Stair railings

◦     Telephones/cellphones

◦     Trash can lid

◦     Microwave touch screen

◦     Kitchen and bathroom faucets

◦     Purses/handbags/wallet

◦     Light switches