A Natural Approach To Health

Living With Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

I had a question the other day about arthritis.

Arthritis is a general term meaning inflammation of the joints.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis.

It’s the breakdown of cartilage in your joints and can happen in almost any joint in your body.

It commonly happens in the weight-bearing joints of your hips, knees, and spine.

It also affects your fingers, thumb, neck, and large toe.

Over time, cartilage wears away and can’t act as a shock absorber.

As cartilage deteriorates, tendons and ligaments stretch, causing pain.

If it worsens, your bones could rub against each other.

Causes include aging joints, previous injuries, and obesity.

Symptoms include joint pain and stiffness.

To deal with arthritis it’s beneficial to:

*Drink 6-8 cups of purified water every day to hydrate  your cells.

*Alfalfa contains all the minerals essential for bone formation, and may be helpful for arthritis.  It can be taken in capsules or in whole, natural form.

*Boswellia is important for reducing inflammation.  It also helps restore blood vessels around inflamed connective tissue.

*Ginger is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects.

*The hot peppers known as cayenne contain a compound called capsaicin that relieves pain.

*Noni has been used for more than 2,000 years for pain, arthritis, and other health problems.

*Turmeric contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.  The recommended dose is 600 mg daily.

*Willow bark and fish oil are also good for pain and inflammation.

*Other beneficial herbs include brigham tea, buchu leaves, burdock root, celery seed, corn silk, devil’s claw tea, parsley tea, and yucca.

*Eat more sulfur-containing foods, like asparagus, eggs, garlic, and onions.  Other beneficial foods include fresh vegetables (especially green leafy vegetables), nonacidic fresh fruits, whole grains, oatmeal, brown rice, fish, soybean products, and avocados.  Also, tart red cherries can relieve pain and inflammation.  Eat about 20 cherries each day.  If you can’t find fresh cherries, frozen are fine.

*Eat foods containing the amino acid histidine, including rice, wheat, and rye.  Histidine is good for removing excess metals from your body.  Many people with arthritis have high levels of copper and iron in their bodies.

*Eat fresh pineapple frequently.  Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, is excellent for reducing inflammation.

*Eat some form of fiber, like ground flaxseeds, oat bran, or rice brain, daily.

*Reduce the amount of fat in your diet.  Don’t consume milk, dairy products, or red meat.  Also avoid caffeine, citrus fruits, paprika, salt, tobacco, and everything containing sugar.

*Avoid nightshade vegetables (peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, white potatoes).  These foods contain a substance to which some people, especially those suffering from arthritis, are highly sensitive.

*If you use ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, avoid sodium (salt), which causes water retention.  Spread doses throughout the day and take them only after eating.

*Don’t take iron supplements, or a multivitamin containing iron.  Consume iron in foods instead.  Good sources include blackstrap molasses, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, fish, lima beans, and peas.

*For relief of pain, try using cold gel packs.  These stay cold for long periods when frozen.  Place them on inflamed joints.  Alternate with heat.

*Hot tubs and baths may provide relief.  Raw lemon rubs and hot castor oil packs are also extremely beneficial.

*In the morning, take a hot shower or bath to help relieve morning stiffness.

*Check for possible food allergies.  Many sufferers of arthritis have found relief when they eliminate certain foods.  Allergies trigger inflammation and can aggravate symptoms.

*Consider having a hair analysis to determine the levels of toxic metals in your body.  Lead levels have been found to be higher than normal in some arthritis sufferers.

*Spend time outdoors for fresh air and sunshine.

*Get regular moderate exercise.  Exercise is essential for reducing pain and slowing joint deterioration.  Regular activity that doesn’t put stress on affected joints is valuable for many types of arthritis.  Bicycle riding, walking, wand water exercises are good choices.  Avoid weightbearing or impact exercises.

*If you’re overweight, lose the excess pounds.  Being overweight can cause and aggravate arthritis.

If you’re dealing with osteoarthritis, try these (100% money-back guarantee):

It’s essential to use:  Vita-Lea, Protein, Pain Relief Complex, Joint Health Complex, Alfalfa, B-Complex, OmegaGuard, Calcium/Magnesium.

It’s important to use:  Vitamin D, Vivix, Optiflora, Vitamin C, VitalMag, Zinc, CarotoMax, FlavoMax.

It’s beneficial to use:  Stress Relief Complex, Gentle Sleep Complex, DTX, Herb-Lax, EZ-Gest, Joint and Muscle Pain Cream, Performance.

email:  lenay@dickandlenay.com

PS:  If you have any questions about arthritis, and would like to know how supplements can help, send us an email.  We’re here to help.