help for aching joints

[QuilterMom]

http://www.publix.com/wellness/green...2&childId=1154

More than 40 million Americans experience occasional joint pain, according to researchers at the Mayo Clinic. If you're in this group, get ready for some good news: Natural solutions are proven safe and effective. Some of these pain relievers have also been shown to slow the progression of osteoarthrits (OA) and even reverse degenerative damage.
Inflammation and Pain
All types of arthritis are characterized by chronic inflammation. While there are more than 100 types, the most common is osteoarthritis - also called degenerative joint disease - affecting nearly 21 million of us.

OA most commonly strikes the hips and knees, the primary weight-bearing joints. When joint-cushioning cartilage breaks down, bones rub against one another - causing pain, loss of movement, and inflammation.

Safe, Effective, and Natural
Long-term solutions and pain relief are available, compliments of natural medicine. Ginger, with 477 documented active ingredients, may be the ideal answer to joint pain. Studies show that a moderate dosage of this herb inhibits the formation of inflammatory pain-causing prostaglandins up to 56 percent. And a University of Miami study finds that 63 percent of patients with OA of the knee showed improvement after taking ginger for just six weeks. Yet ginger is so gentle that it is often recommended for morning sickness in pregnant women.

Turmeric, the culinary herb that gives curry its golden color, is another useful herb. The curcumin in turmeric appears to inhibit the production of inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. A study from the prestigious M. D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas shows turmeric reduces inflammation as well as the prescription drug phenylbutazone (Butazolidine).

A form of amino sugar often derived from the shells of shellfish, glucosamine sulfate appears to work in two ways: by stopping the breakdown of cartilage and by stopping the inflammation cycle. One Belgian study suggests that this supplement dramatically slows deterioration in the joints of menopausal women.

For improved effectiveness, glucosamine is often combined with other ingredients, including the following:

Chondroitin may improve joint mobility and slow cartilage loss. A recent analysis of clinical trials indicated that supplementing with chondroitin appears effective against arthritis pain.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) contains sulfur molecules that help relieve pain, while the body builds certain amino acids (building blocks for proteins) like collagen, from which cartilage is formed. A small preliminary study showed patients reported an 80 percent reduction in pain when taking MSM. A recent scientific paper also finds MSM effective for osteoarthritis of the knee.


Helpful Lifestyle Changes
A diet rich in whole foods, fruits, and vegetables can help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation. Avoiding stress, environmental toxins, and cigarette smoke as much as possible can be useful, as well. Finally, an energetic exercise program is a powerful way to address joint pain, as long as you work with a therapist or trainer who can help you prevent further joint damage. Walking, swimming, and yoga are excellent workouts for many people with inflammatory pain.
It may seem paradoxical to think of relieving joint pain by inducing more pain, but that's exactly what you need to do. Movement of the painful joint actually draws circulation to the area, provides lubrication for the joint, and encourages healing through a reduction of inflammation.

SELECTED SOURCES
"Effects of a Ginger Extract on Knee Pain in Patients with Osteoarthritis" by R. D. Altman and K. C. Marcussen, Arthritis & Rheumatism, 11/01
Get a Grip on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders by Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe ($13.95, Bearing, 2004)
"Glucosamine Sulfate Reduces Osteoarthritis Progression in Postmenopausal Women with Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence from Two 3-Year Studies" by O. Bruyere et al., Menopause, 3–4/04
"Naturally Occurring Sulfur Compound May Help Relieve Osteoarthritis Knee Pain" by Linda Kim, ND, et al., paper presented at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Scientific Conference, 8/24/05
Stopping Inflammation by Nancy Appleton, PhD ($14.95, Square One, 2005)
"Structural and Symptomatic Efficacy of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Comprehensive Metaanaylsis" by F. Richy et al., Archives of Internal Medicine, 7/14/03

[Jeanieb]

Great info thanks. My aching knees thank you too