Joint pain & mobility

AROUND 80% OF THE OVER-50s suffer with achy and painful joints as the wear and tear of the years takes its toll on the body’s collagen and cartilage.

It affects the joints of the hands and weight bearing joints the most and can become very painful and debilitating.

The orthodox approach is to prescribe NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories) to reduce fever, swelling and pain, but recorded side-effects can include liver and kidney damage, gastro-intestinal bleeding, ulcers, dizziness, skin rashes and stomach upset.

Considerable research has been dedicated to finding natural relief for sufferers. Lifestyle and dietary changes, moderate exercise and a programme of well-chosen supplements can make the difference between days in bed and days out having fun.

There is now considerable evidence to show that smokers and those who are over-weight are more likely to suffer with osteoarthritis. Consequently, losing weight if necessary, and stopping smoking will give immediate results in terms of health and wellbeing.

A gentle and carefully planned exercise routine will also reap rewards for the arthritic patient. Daily exercise of just 15 to 30 minutes a day (while sitting in a chair if necessary) will boost bone density and strength.

For support and encouragement whilst progressing through this programme, call into your local health food store.

 

The joint stiffness and pain programme that really works

Glucosamine & Chondroitin

Glucosamine, an amino sugar, helps to repair smooth cartilage tissue, joint sacs and fluids that make up the joint. Over time, bone ends become damaged and pitted, which then scratch away at the joint tissues like a mortar and pestle. Chondroitin smoothes these bone ends and reduces wear and tear. Suggested dose : 2-4 a day.

Antioxidants

(A, C, E, Zinc, Selenium, glutathione, L-cysteine, carotenoids)
Free radicals are un-paired electrons, which are very unstable and can cause great harm in the body. Antioxidants mop up free radicals, protect cells, help heal existing damage and can contribute to increasing general life expectancy and reduce the onset of certain degenerative diseases. Toxins can build up in the joints creating more damage and pain, so antioxidants are ideal to help dissipate and remove them, speeding up healing. Suggested dose : 1-3 a day taken after food.

Boswellia Resin

This resin from the frankincense tree has amazing properties to help with chronic inflammatory conditions. The resin helps to reduce inflammation, remove uric acid crystals from the joints – which can cause pain and gout, and also helps to forge new circulatory pathways to the joint ends – bringing nutrients to the area. When taken alongside glucosamine, the effects are increased, as boswellia reduces the inflammation and the glucosamine heals the area more effectively. Suggested dose : 1-3 a day.

Milk Thistle

Herb & Seed
Helps keeps the liver healthy, flushing out unwanted toxins. The liver is the largest and heaviest organ inside your body and performs over 500 different functions in the body, so it is helpful to keep it well maintained for all health conditions. Suggested dose : 1-2 capsules a day.

Calcium Magnesium Boron with Malic Acid

Calcium is needed if the bones are weak, and magnesium helps the absorption of this too. Osteoporosis is when the calcium has often leached from the bones making them fragile. Formulas that contain malic acid (apple) acid are very beneficial too, not only is malic acid a key co-factor involved in the Kreb’s(energy) cycle, but it acts as an extra chelating agent to carry calcium into the bones for absorption and enters the blood stream as an alkali, reducing painful uric acid crystals building up at the joint. Suggested dose: One teaspoon a day taken in a little apple juice after largest meal.

 

Diet and lifestyle issues

As many as 60% of arthritic patients will find benefit from remove the ‘deadly nightshade’ foods from their diet, Including: tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, aubergine.

Reduce red meat, fried foods and dairy produce (except low fat).

Cut down on caffeine and fizzy drinks.

 

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These documents are reproduced with kind permission from Viridian-Nutrition.