Natural Cures for Arthritis

!±8± Natural Cures for Arthritis

I have to break it too you, there are no medical or natural cures for arthritis. If there were a "magic pill" it would be "BIG" news, nobody would suffer anymore and we wouldn't even hear about arthritis anymore.

However, there are a number of treatment options that make the management of arthritis a "very real" possibly.

Exercise

Exercise does a number of things, it helps to maintain, or even increase, the flexibility of joint and muscles and it also helps in achieving or maintaining a healthy body weight.

Being overweight increases the pain and discomfort of all forms of arthritis, and obesity or being overweight is one of the major causes of a number or health problems and diseases. So by getting rid of, or maintaining, a healthy weight not only will help you with your arthritis, but will also be helpful with your health in general.

Exercise specifically beneficial to those with arthritis includes:

o Water exercises (also called hydrotherapy) - Typically the water is very warm and classes can be found at most pools, the city, or in local health clubs.

o Yoga - classes are available in many communities and health clubs. I took a yoga class years ago at the local Junior College - if you have one nearby try there.

o Tai Chi

o And of course, just plain old walking. Whether it is fast or slow, just get out there.

Warm weather, or if you are inside, a warm environment, will probably be much easier on you. Even if it is cold out you will 'warm up', but it may take a while.

Your Diet, Vitamins and Supplements

To start with, doctors and many arthritic sufferers know that there are a number of vitamins, minerals and supplements that are very helpful in treating arthritis.

As any nutritionist will tell you the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need is from food sources and by eating a healthy diet. Fortunately the majority of the vitamins and minerals, even supplements that are beneficial to arthritic suffers can be gotten from food sources.

In short the B vitamins, B3, 5 , 6 and 12, vitamins C, E and K. Calcium, Magnesium (which helps keep calcium in balance within your system), Zinc, Fish Oil (omega 3), glucosomine and chondrotin.

Not let's have a look at some diet improvements that will also help you in getting these vitamin minerals and supplements. Eating fats found in red meat and poultry have actually been shown to increase inflammation. Switching to cold water fish can help reduce the inflammation, besides being a source of vitamins this also will help with fish oils.

Antioxidants, vitamin C and beta-carotene can be gotten from blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, limes, lemons, oranges, guavas, papayas, cantaloupe, spinach, kale, brussel sprouts, and broccoli..

B vitamins can be found in whole grains, dried beans, split peas, and lentils.

Vitamin D. Food sources: Fish liver oils, milk, egg yolks, tuna fish.

Vitamin E can be found in wheat germ, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.

And of course the easiest diet, both for arthritis and being healthy in general is to eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables, and go easy on fats and cholesterol.

The fruits and veggies will help you with vitamins and fiber, and be sure to talk with your physician or dietician as different types of arthritis have different needs as they may have ideas I didn't mention.

A good mutli-vitamin will help supplement the vitamins in your body, but it is much better and healthier to get the majority of your vitamins from the foods you eat.

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Both your diet, what you eat, and exercise are part of holistic medicine. Holistic medicine treats the entire body, not just the symptoms. So don't ignore the importance on your health of your diet or the exercise you get.