Easy Natural Prevention and Treatment of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is normally diagnosed after age 45 or later but can actually begin many years earlier.  It develops slowly over time from wear and tear on the joints.  The condition is very common.  So common that it is said to be the top cause of disability across the nation.  Much research is being done in regards to Osteoarthritis and there is some good news!  Researchers have found that there are many things you can do on your own to prevent and even treat arthritis!

If you spent 15 minutes, four times a week in bright sunlight, your body will be able to get the recommended allowance of Vitamin D that it needs.  Vitamin D is necessary to maintain healthy joint cartilage and keep it strong.  Maintaining these high levels of this vitamin can reduce your risk of getting the condition by up to 67%.  If you are unable to get outside regularly, you can make up for it by taking 1,000 IU to 2,000 IU daily.  As with any supplement, contact your physician before starting.

There are many studies that claim the wonders of fish oil for many different reasons.  Joint health is also one of them.  Eating a 6-oz serving of fish three times a week is all you need.  Not a big fish eater?  You can take it in supplement form.  Just  1gr. of fish oil a day is all you need.  Researchers are saying that it is so powerful at nourishing and protecting joint tissue that it could be the one thing that can single-handedly delay and even prevent damage to the joints!  Fish oil has a powerful, natural anti-inflammatory fat that is very beneficial to joint health.  If you already have arthritis, researchers suggest taking 2 gr. of fish oil daily.  Studies have shown that in those who did this, that it actually helped about 67% of arthritis sufferers be able to stop taking their medication for joint pain!  As always, check with your doctor first.

Another tip is to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil on salads and such.  This oil has squalene which is is also another natural anti-inflammatory.

A diet rich in Vitamin C has been long known to slow the progression of Osteoarthritis. Now studies are saying that you can reduce your risk of ever getting it up to 55% just by drinking 5 oz. a day. Vitamin C is an incredible antioxidant that gets soaks up free radicals before they can cause damage to joints. Vitamin C is best gotten from foods rather than supplements, but if you aren't getting enough from your foods, supplements will definitely pick up the slack for you. The best sources of this are oranges, grapefruit and other citrus fruits, berries and melons.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that heavier people increase their risk of developing arthritis by 30% than people of normal weight.  The more weight you are carrying around, the more stress and wear on your knee and hip joints.  You can cut your risk in half by losing just 11 pounds over the next year or so.

Although any regular exercise will cut your risk of increased joint damage by 43%, bicycling has added benefits.  The smooth, repetitive motion of pedaling thickens cartilage in the leg and hip areas to help protect joints.  Just 12 minutes a day at 60 - 90 RPMs is all it takes. 

We all know that onions are strong enough to make even the toughest men cry, but they are powerful in other ways as well.  They contain selenium which is an antioxidant like Vitamin C that takes care of the free radicals before they can do joint damage.  High levels of this can reduce your risk of having osteoarthritis by half.  Some other selenium-rich food sources are Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds and lamb.

We have all heard the many reasons to stop smoking!  Well here is one more.  A recent study at Boston University Medical School found that sufferers of osteoarthritis who smoked had higher levels of pain and lost cartilage faster than non-smokers.

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionin) 1,200 mg. a day controls pain as well as prescription pain medications.

Willow Bark.  A cousin of aspirin, but much more gentle.  About 40% of People taking 240 mg. a day said that their pain was gone in as little as a week.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) This natural substance helps reduce inflammation.  Taking 2 g. a day can reduce arthritis pain by 82% in just six weeks.

Before trying any supplement or adding an exercise regimen to your daily routine, you should always seek the advice of a medical professional.