Arthritis Treatment

Treating Osteoarthritis with Nutrition and Supplements

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis, is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in your joints wears down over time. Symptoms include pain (most commonly in the hands, hips, knees and feet), stiffness after periods of inactivity, joint tenderness and swelling, limited joint motion, and “cracking”, or “creaking” of joints with or without pain. Symptoms range from mild to severe, usually worsen over time, and there is no known cure. Symptoms may worsen to the point of total joint function loss. Osteoarthritis is most common in older people but does occur in younger people, most commonly as a result of a joint injury. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. If you think you might have osteoarthritis you should see your health care provider as soon as possible.

The best nutrition is found in whole, properly cooked foods, but if you’re like most Americans and aren’t eating a balanced, healthy diet, supplementation might be for you. Only buy fresh supplements with no added dyes, flavors, stimulants, etc., from reliable, reputable sources. It is also important to note that more does not mean better, and natural does not mean safe! Take recommended daily doses of vitamins and supplements only unless advised otherwise by your trusted health care professional. Become and remain vigilant about monitoring what you put into that body of yours. It’s the only one you have.

Poor nutrition isn’t just a third world problem. Most of us find it difficult in this hectic day and age to pay close attention to what we are consuming, especially when we can drive through for fast food or open a box and have dinner in minutes. Regardless, a proper diet including good fats, adequate protein and the vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates found in vegetables and whole grains has proven to be successful in treating many diseases, including each type of arthritis.

Try eliminating nightshade plants, including peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and potatoes from your diet to make sure you aren’t sensitive to them. Foods affect arthritis symptoms differently from person to person so it is worth the effort to discover if any of them are causing symptomatic flare-ups for you. Also try systematically eliminating refined, processed sugars and flours. Eliminate each suspect food for about six weeks to determine if there

Related Posts:

• Osteoarthritis Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
• The different types of arthritis – Part 7
• The different types of arthritis – Part 3
• Guide to effective arthritis treatment – Part 4
• Arthritis – Symptoms, Risks, Treatments

Arthritis or joint inflammation has been a plaguing mankind for hundreds of years. Most people afflicted with this disease have used some form of drug to tackle this illness. One arthritis natural remedy called stinging nettle has helped patients overcome their pain. But more about this natural arthritis remedy later.

Three most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, the most common arthritis, distresses about 16 million Americans. The average age of these people is about 45. Even though it has been found in the fingers neck and spine, most of the time the disease centers on the weight bearing areas like the knees, hips and ankles.

Our joints are cushioned by cartilage, a very thick, sponge-like matter. Osteoarthritis damages that cartilage and slowly but surely wears it down. The majority of arthritis pain relief remedies whether they are natural or medicinal are targeted towards osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body.

Psoriatic Arthritis is not prolific in our culture as the other two forms of arthritis. But just like the other two forms this type can also use an effective arthritis natural remedy. It eats away at the joints and can also show up as psoriasis on the skin.

Arthritis natural remedies

Black Cohosh
Also known as Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Rattleroot, Rattleweed, Squawroot. The dried root is the part used. This is a powerful relaxant as well as being extremely effective with easing painful menstrual cramps. Ovarian cramps will be relieved as well as bringing on a delayed menstrual cycle. It is also effective in the treatment of arthritis, osteo-arthritis, rheumatic pain and neurological pan. In small doses, appetite and digestion are greatly improved and is very beneficial for the nervous system in general.

Bogbean
Useful for treatment of rheumatism, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Also has a stimulating effect on the walls of the colon and digestive juices.

Celery Seeds
Use dried ripe fruits to use as an anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, diuretic or anti-spasmodic. Great for treating rheumatism, arthritis and gout.

Nettle
As mentioned before in this article. This herb is another one of those “universal” plants. They are found all over the world and they strengthen the entire body. Rheumatism, arthritis, eczema, nosebleeds, arteries, lessen blood pressure are just a few applications. Nettles contain calcium, chlorine, iron, potassium, silicon, sodium and sulphur. A great natural arthritis remedy.

Saffron
A natural hydrochloric acid (utilizes sugar of fruits and oils), thus helping arthritics get rid of the uric acid which holds the calcium deposited in the joints. Also reduces lactic acid build up. Good for measles, skin, scarlet fever and perspiration.

Yucca
Hope for arthritics. The extract from the plant has been used with surprising success on arthritis and rheumatism sufferers.

All of the herbs mentioned here should be available at your local health food store along with suggestions on how to prepare them for use. Some applications will be to ingest in teas while others may facilitate creating a topical treatment.

One thing to remember when following any diet is that the nutrients lost through the elimination of any foods must be replaced by other means. Certain foods or food groups often seem to cause a worsening of arthritis symptoms. In this case, an elimination diet could be helpful. All suspected foods must be completely eliminated from the diet for several weeks, then reinstated one at a time over a period of several days. If the symptoms of pain and inflammation re-occur after each food is eaten again, then it could be a culprit. This should be done at least three times to determine that there were no other factors involved. If an elimination diet is followed, it is wise to keep two diaries. One record of the food eaten and at what times and dates, the other of the dates and times of pain flare-ups. When the two are compared, it will be plain to see what was eaten that could have caused pain.

Fish oil has been claimed to have positive results as an arthritis natural remedy. Some researchers recommend simply adding omega 3′s to the diet by eating cold-water fish like mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, anchovies, bluefish and mullet.

Resources
NutraSanus
Essortmant
Medicine.net
The Arthritis Society

Please pass this article on to people you care about that would benefit from reading about an arthritis natural remedy.

Related Posts:

• Eight Natural Arthritis Remedies For You To Choose
• Natural Arthritis Remedies Uncovered
• Arthritis Pain Relief Through Herbal Massage
• How to manage rheumatoid arthritis
• Arthritis treatment & pain relief – Part 1

When you are young and at the prime of your life, you feel that nothing you do, or not do for that matter, will affect you and your health. You feel you are invincible, forever healthy and young, able to do whatever you please and desire.

However, unless you have some sort of youth potion or supply of water from the fountain of youth, you must accept the fact that there will come a time when you will be facing the consequences of your disregard for your health and fitness. In 20 or 30 years, or maybe even less, you will start feeling the aging process creeping up your body, particularly in your joints. When you reach this time and age, and feel the excruciating pain that arthritis and rheumatism brings, you will start to feel sorry that you did not invest much time on being healthy and fit when you were younger.

Maybe, it is still not too late. Probably, you can still lose some weight, eat the right stuff and try to prevent the worsening of your condition. Below are some tips that can help you prevent having arthritis or at least avert the aggravation of such disease.

Pay Attention To Your Weight

You should act now and be more responsible for what you eat. Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for developing arthritis in the future. The weight-supporting joints, such as the knees, are the ones that are suffering for carrying excess weight. If you already have arthritis, losing weight or maintaining your ideal weight will help a lot in easing the pressure from your knees and other weight-supporting joints.

Exercise Is Essential

A person who has a sedentary lifestyle usually has weak muscles, which is one of the risk factors of developing joint diseases. If you do not want to develop arthritis, you need to exercise regularly because it will help you develop more flexible, stronger joints and muscles. However, make sure that the exercise routine you take has low impact or intensity. Abusing your joints by performing abusive exercise regimen will do you more harm than good.

Repetitive Strain On Your Joints And Muscles Should Be Avoided

Chronic strains, aches and stress due to work, sports activities or hobbies should not be ignored because these might develop to future arthritis problems. If your work or activities require you to do heavy manual physical labor, squatting, and frequent knee bending, you need to take particular care on how to properly carry out your job so that your knee joints will not be harmed.

Spending most of your time in front of a computer, typewriter, stenograph machine, calculator and playing musical instruments, such as the piano, organ, cello and violin, may also lead to osteoarthritis. Make sure that you exercise your hands and fingers once in while at work and take a break for a few minutes to give your joints some time to relax.

If you already experience chronic pain in your joints and muscles because of your work, hobbies, or activities, you must seek the help of a physician.

Water Helps To Lubricate Joints

You need to drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday to ensure smooth performance of bodily functions. Water is also important in lubricating your joints, particularly because the cartilages in your joints are made up mostly of water. Minimize your intake of tea, sodas and coffee because they are diuretics, which not only encourage the elimination of fluids in your body, but also prevent water from being absorbed by your tissues.

Take Some Supplements

Since it is hard to get enough of the right amount of vitamins and minerals that your body needs from the food that you eat, you might as well take supplements. What your body needs to protect your joints are MSM, boron, glucosamine, and vitamins A and D.

One supplement that can help you deal with arthritis, and even prevent the development of this condition, is Phosoplex. For more information about this product, visit www.Phosoplex.com.

Related Posts:

• Arthritis And Rheumatism
• EXERCISE Can Beat Arthritis
• Causes of arthritis – Part 1
• Causes of arthritis pain in feet – Part 3
• Arthritis Causes And Symptoms