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Arthritis - diet, supplements and books
I have just been diagnosed as suffering from arthritis and have to admit that aside from the pain, I know nothing about it. Where do I start? Can you tell me about diet, supplements and any good books I should be reading?
Lots of people know very little about how their own bodies work and even less about a specific health complaint until something goes wrong so don’t worry about that. In fact, arthritis is anything but new; archeologists have found evidence of this disease in the skeletons of Neanderthal man, Maori tribesmen, and even dinosaurs.
One of the best books for anyone interested in natural health is Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis and James Balch, (Avery Press; the ISBN is 1-58333-077-1). Written for the layperson, it devotes a sizeable section to all forms of arthritis and rates the anti-inflammatory agent, Bromelain, and the essential fatty acids as essential to helping control the pain. These remedies are now widely available in healthstores.
My own top-rated remedy for arthritic conditions is Collagen Plus - which combines collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin. Collagen is needed to build bone and glucosamine then strengthens that bone - but the clever ingredient here is the chondroitin, which attracts more fluid to the space around joints to help keep them lubricated.
Clincial trials confirm that the collagen in this supplement ends up exactly where it is needed - in the cartilage. This is the tissue which would normally protect your joints but which, with age and over-use, can wear away leaving them exposed, prone to inflammation and, of course, very painful.
*Collagen Plus comes in powder form with vitamin C, plus calcium and magnesium. Mail order from Arthrovite (0800-0181282). A month’s supply is £28.49. Simply dilute to make an orange-flavoured drink to take once a day, after breakfast.
*Health Perception also have an extensive range of Glucosamine products - in tablet, effervescent drink, and gel form - which were recently chosen for a 6-month trial at St Peter's Hospital. Phone 01252 861454 for ordering and information.