Arthritis

posted March 2009

Arthritis is something we all fear as we age. Once it "takes" over then the effects are multiplied. Normal daily activities are a burden. There's no easy answer to live with the pain. Drugs give relief but they have side effects, some known and some unknown.

Here's my approach to fighting against it:
1. Keep moving
2. Lift weights 2-3 times a week
3. Eat unprocessed whole foods, veggies, fruit, whole grains.
4. Eat good fats (Omega 3 and 6) from raw nuts, fish, and seeds (flax, pumpkin, sunflower)
4. Take supplements: Fish Oil, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Sam-e.
5. Reduce sugar, and high glycemic foods such as wheat pasta, and white flour.

Our bodies will wear out prematurely from LACK of exercise, which seems contrary to logic. Exercise doesn't wear out our bodies, lack of exercise does. The less we move the worse it gets over time.

Bodies adapt to movement. Movement creates stronger muscles, connective tissue, and joints. When muscles support us better we have less joint pain. Bodies adapt to lack of movement. Muscle, connective tissue, and joints deteriorate as we don't use them.

The other side of arthritis is chronic inflammation. Those who suffer from this should consider dietary changes. Gluten, dairy, sugar, and processed foods inflame the body and multiply the effects of arthritis.

Fighting Arthritis is not a simple matter. It's the complete system above that gives results. No one pill will give more than temporary relief. In fact pills mask the decline in our bodies caused by poor exercise and eating habits.