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Controlling hereditary arthritis
My wife has suddenly developed a painful swelling on one finger that she believes is arthritis. Both her mother and grandmother suffered from this problem and she is now terrified she will be as crippled by this condition as they both became. Can you give us any advice about supplements and diet?
The most important foods to help control all forms of arthritis are fruits and vegetables that are rich in substances called flavanoids, which work to reduce inflammation and support joint structure. Low levels of selenium, which plays a key role in helping reduce the production of inflammatory agents in the body, have also been found in arthritis patients. Foods that are rich in this mineral include broccoli, garlic, cabbage, cucumbers, and dairy products. If you prefer supplementation, take a combination formula that includes selenium and vitamin E.
The other supplement I am going to recommend is one of the brand new Alternatives range developed by Boots and formulated for that company by the upmarket herbal specialists, Lichtwer Pharma, which itself invests heavily in good research. The reason I like this new range is that the makers have kept it simple by sticking to single but powerful herbs and by ensuring the dosages are high enough for each tablet to provides a therapeutic hit of the active ingredients.
The one your wife needs to start taking now is called, simply, Flexibility, which is made from the anti-arthritic agent, Bromelain. This is a mix of anti-inflammatory enzymes derived from fresh pineapple and, although still not as well known as, say, glucosamine, is increasingly used in advanced joint formulations.
It will work to help reduce the inflammation, pain, and swelling of joints affected by arthritis. How precisely it does this is still unclear but one theory is that it breaks down fibrin in the body, a substance which otherwise promotes an inflammatory response. This means it is also useful to sportsmen and women recovering from minor injuries and anyone who has had surgery.
*The new Alternatives range is now on sale in Boots stores nationwide.