| Arthritis is a chronic condition so once you have | | | | reduce joint stiffness and tenderness. |
| developed it, expect its symptoms to recur. Many | | | | Antioxidants. Vitamins C and E have been known to |
| patients who suffer from this type of condition | | | | prevent damage from cell structures by fighting free |
| consider natural therapies either as a supplement or an | | | | radicals. As such, they can be an effective treatment |
| alternative to conventional therapies that have not | | | | against arthritis by ensuring tissues are repaired and |
| delivered successful or satisfactory results. | | | | that further damage to body cells is avoided. |
| The term "natural cures" is not quite accurate, because | | | | Organic Sulfur. Also known as MSM |
| there is really no cure to arthritis yet and also because | | | | (methylsulphonylmethane), it helps maintain healthy |
| most of these natural treatments have not undergone | | | | connective tissues. It also helps produce amino acids, |
| a sufficient number of controlled studies and | | | | which in turn produce protein. While naturally-occurring |
| professional assessment in order to be labelled safe | | | | in foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products |
| and effective. When trying natural therapies and | | | | and vegetables, it may be best taken as a supplement |
| treatments, make sure you know what they are about | | | | to help relieve inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. |
| and what type of ingredients are used and that you | | | | Falling for a Hoax |
| have discussed your decision with your doctor | | | | As many as there are products that have proven to |
| beforehand. | | | | be effective as natural "cures" for arthritis, so also are |
| Hoping for a Natural "Cure" | | | | there products that are ineffective but claim to be |
| Treating arthritis is a two-fold approach: one to treat | | | | otherwise. When excessive pain calls for desperate |
| pain and the other to treat inflammation. One of the | | | | measures, it's often easy to fall for products that claim |
| natural ways to treat arthritis is the use of herbs and | | | | to be the ultimate solution. Here's how to determine |
| herbal supplements, a practice that has been around | | | | whether or not you should avoid a product or therapy: |
| since ancient times. Some of the most popular you | | | | It claims to be the natural cure to arthritis. |
| might want to know about include: | | | | There is no such thing as a cure to arthritis and the |
| Ginger. This is a natural treatment that has been in use | | | | word "cure" that appears in this article in reference to |
| for hundreds of years and has been known to act | | | | natural treatments is used loosely. If there is such thing |
| against prostaglandins, hormones that are responsible | | | | as the ultimate arthritis cure, don't you think it would |
| for pain and inflammation. Studies about the effects of | | | | have been big news by now? |
| ginger as a natural treatment for arthritis are still limited | | | | It's a secret nobody knows about. |
| but some reports have shown that it has been | | | | If the ingredients or methods are touted as a secret, |
| effective in producing relief from arthritic symptoms to | | | | proceed with caution. There is a reason why |
| a majority of the participants. | | | | manufacturers don't reveal what their product contains |
| White Willow Bark. It contains salicin and some | | | | or what their therapy does and it's either because it's |
| salicylates, acts as a painkiller in the same manner as | | | | illegal or downright ineffective. Legitimate |
| aspirin. It can relieve pain and also help reduce swelling | | | | manufacturers should be unafraid about revealing |
| although its effects are milder and slow to act. | | | | what their products can do. |
| Nettle Leaf Extract. This has been used in Germany to | | | | It's quick and untested. |
| treat rheumatoid arthritis for many years. Nettle leaf | | | | Treating arthritis takes time and any product that |
| contains active compounds that have been found to | | | | claims it offers the quickest and simplest relief for pain |
| be effective as anti-inflammatories. It may also be | | | | and inflammation is promising too much. If the product |
| used as a topical lotion to relieve joint pain. | | | | is not backed up by scientific evidence such as clinical |
| Boswellia. This is a plant used in Ayurvedic treatments. | | | | studies and trials, it's prudent not to use it. |
| Boswellic gum resins have been used to treat arthritis | | | | It's suppressed by a widespread conspiracy. |
| for hundreds of years and are effective against | | | | Be wary of products that claim to be the victims of a |
| inflammation. In a double-blind, randomized study, a | | | | conspiracy involving the government or major |
| combination of boswellia, curcumin and ashwagandha | | | | pharmaceutical companies. There is no such thing as a |
| was able to reduce painful symptoms caused by | | | | conspiracy, so don't fall for this hoax. |
| osteoarthritis. | | | | When considering natural products for the treatment |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Often found in fish (salmon, | | | | of arthritis, make sure you arm yourself with the right |
| sardines, mackerel and herrings) and fish oils, Omega-3 | | | | research and information before using. Unscrupulous |
| fatty acids can be converted inside the body to | | | | manufacturers abound and it's often difficult to assess |
| produce a strong anti-inflammatory action. It also helps | | | | whether a claim is true or not. Educate yourself and |
| reduce substances that promote the deterioration of | | | | use prudence and common sense. Until a natural cure |
| collagen which is necessary to promote healthy joints. | | | | for arthritis is finally discovered, nobody else can |
| As part of a healthy diet, Omega-3 fatty acids help | | | | protect you from untruthful claims except you yourself. |