Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-Inflammatory

Author:   Joseph C. Maroon, M.D. and Jeffrey Bost, P.A.C.

ISBN 978-1-59120-182-3

After reviewing their book, I interviewed Dr. Joseph C. Maroon, M.D. and Jeffrey Bost, P.A.C. via email.  Dr. Maroon and Mr. Bost are authors of Fish Oil:  The Natural Anti-Inflammatory (Basic Health, 2006.  ISBN 978-1-59120-182-3).  Dr. Maroon and Mr. Bost work together in neurosurgical practice.  They are both involved in teaching and research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Medical Center.  Dr. Maroon is the team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Here is the transcript of our email conversation.

Penny:

In your professional practice, do you prescribe fish oil as an anti-inflammatory to treat minor injuries? 

Dr. Maroon and Mr. Bost:

Since the Vioxx withdrawal in 2004 we almost exclusively use Fish oil as our first line treatment for back and neck pain we see in our practice.   

Penny:

Do you see any future research involving fish oil in neurosurgical practice, such as with spinal cord injuries?  

Dr. Maroon and Mr. Bost:

We are using it for pain and anti-inflammation, but in our practice we don't see acute spinal cord injury.  We do know that neural tissue has a greater degree of DHA vs EPA omega-3 in the cell membrane and in fact there is now clinical use of high dose omega-3 for certain types of head injury. 

Penny:

In the book, you say that we don’t get enough omega 3 in our normal diets because agricultural practices have changed.  Do you think we should go back to former agricultural practices?   

Dr. Maroon and Mr. Bost:

The issue is already happening.  The range fed beef and chicken are getting more green plants compared to feed lots and this in turn will increases the amount of omega-3 in their tissue.  We also see many foods now being "spiked" with omega-3 to increase this in our diet. See this recent USAToday.article http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2007-01-01-omega-3-usat_x.htm?POE=click-refer

Penny: 

Are there other ways we can change our diets to make sure we get a better balance of omega 3 oils?  

Dr. Maroon and Mr. Bost:

Yes, by eating more fresh seafood, nuts (esp. Walnut, flax seeds), fresh green vegetables, and generally avoid processed foods with high contents of omega-6 fatty acids found in most saturated fats. 

Penny:

What is your opinion of omega 3 eggs and similar omega 3 enhanced products?  

Dr. Maroon and Mr. Bost:

It is a good thing as long as it is not a gimmick such that the amounts added may be so small as to not be of any use.

Penny:

Worldwide fisheries are at near maximum production, and there is concern that demand will soon exceed supply.   

Dr. Maroon and Mr. Bost:

Yes, and No.  The fish that are used to make most fish oil supplements come from small fish such as anchovies which are still very much in good populations and reproduce quickly.  The problem is the larger fish like tuna which need longer to reproduce.  These larger fish are generally eaten as meals and this can be also a concern with the amount of toxins that can accumulate in the fish body. 

Penny:

Do you think the demand for fish oil will have an impact on that demand?  If so, do you know of alternate sources of fish oil?  

Dr. Maroon and Mr. Bost:

There are other sources of omega-3 as mentioned but fish oil has the highest concentration of the "good"  EFAs EPA and DHA.  Algae itself is being looked at as a source but there are currently issues about the extraction process that needs to be resolved. 

Penny:

Thank you both for taking the time to answer these questions and discuss your book, Fish Oil:  The Natural Anti-Inflammatory. 

 The above interview was conducted by: Penny Watkins, Free Lance Writer, Mother, Grandmother, and Cat Lady:  CLICK HERE  to read more of Penny's Reviews.

 To read Penny's Review CLICK HERE