ARTHRITIS
You might be among the millions suffering from arthritis, a serious and potentially crippling disease. This disease erodes or damages your joints, as well as the muscle and connective tissue surrounding them.
There are six telltale signs of arthritis:
1- Pain usually around the joints, the pain is aching and dull
2- Stiffness in the joints
3- Crepitus causes your joints to creak like a hinge in need of oil
4- Joint Immobility makes it harder to bend your knees, rotate your shoulder, or move your hips
5- Joint Changes such as inflammation of the joint cavity which can cause enlargement of a joint
6- Muscle Shrinkage occurs when muscles aren’t used, they waste away
EATING FOR HEALTHY JOINTS
The causes of arthritis are many, but Luke Bucci, PhD., says some arthritis can be reversed with the right diet, exercise, and the right dietary supplements. Dr. Bucci says eating a healthy diet helps maintain healthy joints. A good rule of thumb is to eat foods that are as close to their natural state as possible.
Dietary guidelines for healthy joints: Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, extra-lean red meat, wild game, eggs, and nonfat dairy products. Use low-fat cooking methods (steam, poach, boil, bake, broil, grill, microwave, nonstick cookware), and low-fat condiments (nonfat yogurt and nonfat mayonnaise, herb seasonings, mustards, salsa) when perparing meals.
To preserve cartilage, eliminate the following from your diet: “Junk food”, refined, processed foods (donuts, candy, white flour, sugar); high-fat foods (fried, greasy foods, butter, margarine, shortening, partially hydrogenated oils, many cheeses, cream cheese, mayonnaise); high-fat meats (hot dogs, hamburger, lunch meats, bacon, sausages, most pork cuts); and stop cooking with saturated fat (margarine and butter).
REBUILD AND PROTECT YOUR JOINTS NATURALLY
Joints don’t work well when they’re overused or underused. Either scenario can take its toll on joint health – to the point of accelerating cartilage breakdown. Fortunately, this process is both preventable and reversible. Arthritis sneaks up on the body slowly and gradually takes over. At first, it’s barely noticeable, then the pain can become unbearable. Ignoring the symptoms and failing to reverse it early on only makes matters worse.
In healthy joints, cartilage is manufactured and maintained without incident. For people suffering from arthritis, cartilage starts to soften, then becomes pitted and frayed; finally, it wears away altogether. Chondroprotective nutrients can have helpful effects on joint health and people’s well being.
KEEPING JOINT MOBILITY AND FLEXIBILITY
If you have arthritis, you must exercise your joints to ensure joint mobility and flexibility. Research indicates that exercise does not cause arthritis and it just might help protect against it. Always remember that when you are starting an exercise program be sure to consult a trainer that can help you find an exercise program that is appropriate for your fitness level. It is also important to have a trainer show you the correct way to perform certain exercises as well as demonstrate proper use of the equipment (injuries often occur due to improper use of equipment).
Dr. Bucci warns, “If while working out or playing sports you experience joint pain of any kind, stop.” Consult your physician and find an alternative exercise program like swimming or resistance training that does not cause joint pain.
Dr. Bucci’s recommended supplements
Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate-These supplements stop the breakdown of cartilage and stimulate its repair. Proteases-Enzymes that chew up protein are found in all living things. In supplemental form, they could be your best source for relief from joint problems and sports injuries.
Two of the most common proteases come from fruits: bromelain (pineapples) and papain (papayas). Proteases are beneficial for bruises, sprains, strains, fractures, low-back pain, post-surgical healing, digestive problems, and thrombosis.