Osteoarthritis is probably the most common type of arthritis, targeting various joints in the body. It causes the cartilage to swell, thereby restricting the full freedom of joint movement. This causes crippling pain, at best leading you to require a knee brace for arthritis or at worst orthopedic surgery. While the process of underlying osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, its painful effects can be somewhat mitigated by adopting certain lifestyle changes — physical exercises, therapies, medications, surgeries and having the right balance of supplements and foods.
In this article will talk about some of the supplements and foods that you can take to substantially alleviate the pain associated with osteoarthritis. The general trend observed with most of these supplements is the presence of one or all of the following key agents:
It is a molecule, which is formed naturally in the body, but is also available as a dietary supplement or prescription drug. It stimulates cartilage growth, and injects the body with serotonin which helps reduce pain.
A gum resin extracted from trees, has been classified as both an Ayurvedic alternative and a traditional medicine. It is very effective against pro-inflammatory enzymes and effectively shaves off the pain of osteoarthritis.
A staple of Indian cooking and rich in Curcumin, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties to help with arthritis. Curcumin accounts for up to 3 to 5% of food content in turmeric, making it an excellent dietary supplement. Most curry spices can also get the job done. These include fennel and chili.
While it has generally been associated with folk medicine and has some stigma attached to it, ginger has proven to be extremely effective against osteoarthritis, primarily because it is part of the same family as turmeric. It has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and helps with cartilage growth and joint movement.
It is generally applied as a cream or gel and works by reducing the amount of substance P, a neurotransmitter, which is directly responsible for sending pain signals to the brain. At least a week’s usage is recommended before relief in pain can be observed.
Extremely abundant in omega 3 fatty acids, fish oil is best combined with green and leafy vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage. It prevents the loss of molecules that are responsible for giving cartilage their shock absorbing properties, affording a greater range of motion to affected joints. It is recommended to consume 3 to 4 portions of fish in a given week, some popular choices can include tuna and mackerel.
Rich in boron and magnesium, and having both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, apples might actually give some credence to the popular adage, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” Or in this case, at least, help keep the pain away.
Olives are a clinically proven means of fighting inflammation of the joints. They possess a phenolic compound known as oleocanthal, which has potent anti-inflammatory properties. They help curb the effect of inflammation using various modes of engagement, generally following the same profile mechanism that ibuprofen is known for.
Knee Pain Now is a distributor of the Guardian Rehabilitator Arthritis Knee Brace. It is the only knee brace for arthritisclinically proven to be more effective than exercise alone to delay the progression of osteoarthritis. For those who do not want – or are not suitable candidates for – surgery or orthopedic knee replacements, this knee brace is a great alternative. But don’t just believe us – read our Knee Brace Testimonials – or for further information Contact Us.
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