| Arthritis, whether it is osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, | | | | This rather delicious spice has a number of health |
| or gout, have the common symptoms of inflammation | | | | benefits. Specific to inflammation and arthritis, cinnamon |
| of one or more joints. This is accompanied by pain, | | | | can help inhibit the release of inflammatory fatty acids. |
| swelling and sometimes joint deformity. Traditionally, | | | | (Australian Healthy Food) |
| with herbal medicine, anti-inflammatory herbs such as | | | | Yellow and Orange Fruits and Vegetables |
| black cohosh, feverfew, yucca and wild yam were | | | | Some of the carotenoids in yellow and orange fruit |
| recommended. And a naturopath might prescribe | | | | and vegetables help reduce inflammation. Carotenoids |
| vitamins like vitamin A, the B complex, vitamin C, and | | | | are what gives these vegetables and fruit their color. |
| vitamin E. Plus a host of minerals like chelated zinc, | | | | (Australian Healthy Food) |
| chelated calcium and magnesium, copper salicylate, | | | | Olive Oil |
| selenium and bromelain. And supplements like evening | | | | Extra virgin olive oil acts similar to the anti-inflammatory |
| primrose and fish oils, glucosmaine, and superoxide | | | | drug ibuprofen, though it doesn't have the immediate |
| dismutase, which is found in good quality dehydrated | | | | pain relieving effects that ibuprofen does. But a |
| (but not juiced) green barley powder. | | | | compund found in extra virgin olive oil, called |
| But scientists have found some very effective | | | | oleocanthal has been found to inhibit the COX |
| anti-inflammatory agents in our own kitchen. Some of | | | | enzymes like ibuprofen, in what researchers describe |
| them, like ginger, can be bought as a supplement. And | | | | as a 'dose dependant' manner. This research was |
| due to ginger's strong taste, this might be a preferable | | | | originally reported in the September, 2005 issue of |
| way of taking it to get the quantities you need for a | | | | Nature magazine by Paul Breslin and his associates |
| significant anti-inflammatory effect. But others, like olive | | | | from Monell Chemical Senses Center. He describes |
| oil, can easily be integrated into the daily diet. Cinnamon | | | | oleocanthal as a natural anti-inflammatory compound |
| is not commonly used as a supplement here, but in | | | | that is potentially as strong as ibuprofen. He suggests |
| India it has a rich traditional use and may be available | | | | that taken over the long term, it will have the same |
| as part of an Ayurvedic supplement. | | | | potential benefits that long term use of ibuprofen does. |
| Ginger | | | | Their results found that taking 50 grams of extra virgin |
| One of the active constituents in ginger is a phenolic | | | | olive oil is equal to approximately 10% of the dosage |
| compound known as gingerols. These have been | | | | of ibuprofen recommended for pain relief for adults. |
| found to have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. In a | | | | Olive oil also has a host of other benefits, including a |
| study reported in the Osteoarthritis and Cartilage | | | | heart protective effect. |
| Journal, the participants who took the ginger compound | | | | Interestingly, scientists have also found that a diet high |
| had significantly less pain during movement than those | | | | in refined grains, sugary soft drinks, processed meat |
| who took the placebo. This study followed 29 people | | | | and even diet soft drinks can encourage both |
| over 12 months, and also found that swelling in the | | | | inflammation and type 2 diabetes. |
| knees was also reduced. | | | | Resources: |
| However, if you are taking blood thinning medication | | | | 1. [ |
| like warfarin, you may need to be careful about the | | | | 2. Australian Healthy Food Magazine, November 2005 |
| amount of ginger you take, as ginger can thin the blood | | | | Issue |
| also. (Australian Healthy Food) | | | | 3. |
| Cinnamon | | | | |