Natural Cures for Arthritis
Arthritis can be one of the most debilitating diseases one can face. It is considered to be an auto immune disease where it causes the body to attack its own tissue. There are over 100 different forms of it but the two most common are Osteoarthritis which is inflammation of one or more joints or Rheumatoid arthritis which is also an inflammation in the body in response to an overactive immune system. General symptoms of arthritis can be joint pain, stiffness, swelling, limited joint movement, and warmth to the area of pain. Although some forms are too far advanced for alternative treatments, others can be managed by natural remedies. Here are some of the top alternative treatments out there that can provide safe relief from pain without experiencing long term side effects from common conventional drugs.
· Exercise is actually a great way to keep the pain at bay. The more you keep your joints active the less likely they will become stiff. Low impact exercising such as yoga, pilates, swimming, and fast walking are all great ways to provide proper mobility to your joints and reduce the symptoms commonly associated with arthritis. It’s important to understand that if you are even slightly overweight even a few extra pounds can be too much for the joints to handle.
· Diet is another factor that comes in to play with anyone suffering from this disease. Too much bad fat in the diet especially the kind found in red meat or poultry can actually cause an inflammation response in the body. Better choices would be to eat cold water fish such as wild Alaskan salmon or cod which contains a high content of omega-3 fatty acids. This kind of fat in particular is extremely good for keeping joints lubricated and reducing inflammation. Consuming fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, strawberries, lemons, cantaloupe, spinach, and broccoli are good sources of vitamin-C and beta-carotene. These are powerful antioxidants that reduce the inflammation response in the body and strengthen the immune system. Always try to get at least 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
· Supplements can be very helpful if you already live a healthy lifestyle and are still stricken with the pain of arthritis. The top supplements found to be beneficial for treating inflammation and repairing damaged cartilage are Glucosamine sulfate 1500mg daily, Bromelain 1500mg daily, Ester-C 3000mg daily, MSM 1000mg daily, Flaxseed oil or Fish oil 1000mg up to 3 times daily. Most quality supplements can be found at your local health food store or Whole Foods. One thing to remember when buying supplements is never to sacrifice quality for price. There is a lot of truth to the saying “you get what you pay for”, so always choose high grade supplements that are pure and have no fillers or additives whenever possible.
· Water is a solution that can easily be overlooked when it comes to treating arthritis. If you lead an unhealthy lifestyle then chances are your body is full of toxins and many of those toxins are stored in your joints which can create pain on a daily basis. By drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day you can help to eliminate toxins built up in the joints by flushing them out of your system.
Living with arthritis can be very uncomfortable if not treated properly. By doing your part and changing to a healthier lifestyle, you can manage your symptoms with these simple solutions.
Tags: arthritis, inflammation, joint pain, Natural Cures, stiffness