Ease arthritis the natural way

BY Alyssa Rose body+soul

 

Discover the golden ingredients for arthritic relief.

Contrary to popular belief, stiff joints and aching bones are not just an unpleasant side effect of ageing. In fact of the 1 in 5 Australians living with arthritis, about 62 per cent are of working age and it can even affect children.

What is arthritis?

There are over 100 different types of arthritis, however the two most common forms are:

Osteoarthritis
Affects mostly mature-aged suffers, it is the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage and is known as the 'wear and tear' arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Affects people at any age, it is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints and tissue surrounding the joints. The cause is unknown.

Although these two forms of arthritis are very different in nature, they both present with similar symptoms of joint pain and stiffness.

 

Treat it the natural way

Diet

Naturopath Emma Sutherland says diet plays a significant role in treating arthritis and something as simple as fresh juice is an absolute must in the treatment of this condition.

"When you have arthritis, your body is more likely to be in an acidic condition," she says. So to get your body into an alkaline condition, a natural anti-inflammatory state, Sutherland recommends the following:

• Alkalising wonder juice: drink 400mls of beetroot, carrot, celery and loads of ginger daily.
• Omega-3: a natural anti-inflammatory found in oily fish including salmon, mackerel, and trout, as well as avocado, nuts and seeds.
• Vitamin C: fruits and vegetables like kiwi fruit and berries are a must for their strong anti-oxidant properties.

Foods to avoid

• Packet foods: preservatives, artificial colours and flavours can place unnecessary stress on the immune system.
• Nightshade vegetables: white potato, eggplant, capsicum and tomato contain a chemical alkaloid called solanine, which can inflame arthritis.
• Coffee and alcohol: both diuretics. Coffee and alcohol have been found to inhibit the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals, which can affect the body's immune system.
• Red meat: an acidic food, which can aggravate arthritis.

Herbs

Stephen Eddey, Principle of Health Schools Australia, says at the age of 20, he suffered from a very painful form of arthritis called Ankylosing Spondylitis and was hospitalized for over a month.

He is now arthritis free and attributes his recovery to diet, exercise and a few key herbs, including:

• Turmeric: one of the best natural arthritic medicines on the market with current research to back its anti-inflammatory properties. For a therapeutic dose, take in pure tablet form.
• Rosehip: backed by over 30 clinical trials and studies, rosehip has also been found to be a strong natural anti-inflammatory. "Products like Rose-Hip Vital (www.rosehipvital.com.au) can be taken alongside medication with no side effects," says Stephan.
• Ginger: used for centuries, studies have found ginger to contain special enzymes that relieve inflammation. Add it in cooking or drink as a tea or juice for a medicinal dose.

If symptoms persist, it is important to see a doctor or natural therapist to properly diagnose and tailor a treatment program suited to your condition.

Arthritis Week runs from March 27 to April 2, 2011. For more information visit arthritisaustralia.com.au

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