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Positive Steps to take for
better Joint Health Discussed
EVERY time you walk your child to school, settle into a
chair or wrap your arms round your husband, you’re using
your bones, muscles and joints. Without these important body
parts, you and your family wouldn’t be able to stand, walk,
run, or even sit. Therefore, protect your bones and joints
from any health conditions that will disrupt your daily
routine.
You can benefit from eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.
For example, osteoarthritis seems to respond to an increased
dietary intake of glucosamine sulphate and fish oils, while
those with gout benefit from the intake of the herb celery
and avoidance of alcohol and offal meats such as liver
according to published articles.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is
normally associated with ageing and injury. It is
characterized by the deterioration of cartilage that acts as
protective cushion between the joints (a “wear-and-tear”
condition). As the cartilage breaks down, the bones rub
against each other. The constant rubbing at the joints will
then lead to spurs forming and the development of painful
joints. The most affected areas are the hands and the
weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, fingers and
spine.
Over the last 10 years, several studies have investigated
the ability of glucosamine sulphate to improve the symptoms
(pain and function) and to delay the structural progression
of osteoarthritis. There is now a large body of evidence
suggesting that glucosamine sulphate, given at a daily oral
dose of 1,500 mg, is able to significantly reduce the
symptoms of osteoarthritis in the lower limbs and spine.
Improvement is usually seen around two weeks of
supplementation.
Gout is another form of arthritis. It appears as an acute
attack often coming on overnight. Within 12 to 24 hours
there is severe pain and swelling in the affected joint. The
skin over the joint may be red and shiny.
The crystals formed by excessive uric acid in the blood set
up the inflammation which is called acute gouty arthritis or
acute gout. At this stage a state of chronic or continuous
joint disease may develop with progressive joint damage,
disability and crippling (chronic gout).
Celery seeds are highly regarded as a diuretic and blood
cleanser. They help eliminate uric acid and other excess
acids in the body, thus aiding in the treatment and
prevention of gout, joint pain and rheumatism.
Guaiacum is known to have anti-rheumatic and
anti-inflammatory properties. Studies also suggest that you
increase the intake of dietary calcium and magnesium to
reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later life!
Osteoporosis means porosity or thinning of the bones. Bone
loss with ageing is a universal phenomenon but becomes a
disease when bone mass falls to a level at which fracture is
likely to occur; particularly common in the wrist, spine and
hip area. If allowed to progress without treatment,
osteoporosis is one of the leading causes of suffering,
disability and death in elderly people. It occurs in both
men and women.
Some have the mistaken belief that foods contain sufficient
calcium to meet their daily needs. They attempt to
compensate by eating calcium-rich foods such as milk,
cheese, broccoli, kale, salmon and soy nuts. An average
adult needs at least 1000mg of calcium daily, while pregnant
and post-menopausal women need up to 1500mg a day.
While many consumers understand the critical need of
maintaining healthy bones and teeth, only a few know what
calcium supplements provide the proper amount that is
needed. Studies show that a calcium supplement in the form
of calcium citrate is best taken together with magnesium,
manganese, zinc and vitamin D3 for better absorption.
Weight-bearing exercise such as walking, running, dancing
helps strengthen bones, according to government reports.
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