Cold Weather: Joint pain & Inflammation

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation by swelling, warmth, redness of the overlying skin, pain and restriction of motion.

There are over 200 diseases that may cause arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis and other infections. The most affected areas are the hands and weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips, feet and the back.

Diet & Lifestyle Factors

Often, a poor diet over an extended period of time, combined with lack of detoxication can lead to toxins forming around the joint that can contribute to the symptoms of arthritis.

Chinese medicine views arthritis as a cold condition, creating stiffness and pain, so improving circulation to the joints via gentle exercise and herbal medicine can be helpful in removing toxins in the joints & reducing inflammation.

Detoxification of these easily congested tissues is an important aim in the treatment of arthritis. Excessive caffeine, alcohol, refined foods such as sugar and preservatives put extra loads on the body’s ability to remove everyday metabolic toxins from the organs.

When the body becomes toxic, the body tissues become more acidic, which can have a detrimental effect. The more acidic the body tissue the more chance of degeneration, inflammation and pain in the joints.

A balanced diet that consists of 75-80% of “Alkalising Forming Foods” like fruits and vegetables, combined with 20-25% “Acid forming foods” such as meats, dairy and grains, nuts and seeds is helpful in balancing Acid/Alkaline Ph of the body.

A Naturopath’s Top Remedies for Joint Pain and Inflammation

1. Glucosamine and chondroitin help with cartilage repair and reduce inflammation.
2. The combination of Gotu Kola, Grape Seed, Ginkgo, vitamin C and zinc provides support for tissue healing and normal development of connective tissue by increasing blood flow, particularly micro-circulation.
3. Omega 3 fatty acids may be beneficial to reduce pain & inflammation as well as stiffness. Up your consumption of fatty fish such as salmon & sardines as well as algae foods such as nori.
4. Boswellia, Turmeric & Celery Seed have proven anti-inflammatory activity. Ginger is a circulatory stimulant.
5. Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark) has been used for 2000 years and among some of its uses as an anti-inflammatory agent, it has been used in the treatment of pain from arthritic conditions in athletes as well as in degenerative diseases of all kinds.

Looking after your joints is a bit like looking after your car – they need servicing regularly. The importance of good nutrition is a vital element to good health and wellbeing particularly the health of your joints.

Always consult with your healthcare professional or speak to us in-store before taking new supplements.

Helen Raisin: BHSc. Naturopath / Nutritionist 
Flannerys Paddington
Flannerys.com.au

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