Vitamin E – Vitamin E may be the key to fighting arthritis-like damage. According to a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, vitamin E (also known as alpha tocopherol) and other naturally occurring antioxidants in the diet appear to protect against knee osteoarthritis. Lobster is an excellent source of Vitamin E. Researchers found vitamin E has a protective effect against knee osteoarthritis in Caucasians

Old Fashioned PB&Js – Osteoarthritis is among the many types of health concerns that aging adults will face. If you have a familial history of osteoarthritis, or if you are noticing the early onset of decreased joint flexibility, considering supplementing your diet with vitamin B3, also known as niacin. Eat plenty of Brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, enriched breads, mushrooms, green vegetables, peanut butter, potatoes and rice. It is also available

Helpful Zinc – You may not think of zinc as a vital bone nutrient, yet without adequate zinc your bones cannot maintain themselves. The status of zinc in bone is known to decline with age and especially for women following menopause. Additionally, individuals with a history of smoking have an added risk for complications involving zinc status and bone health. Wheat products are an excellent source of zinc. It has been known for a long time that

Cayenne with a Kick, for Pain – Cayenne contains a compound called capsaicin. Capsaicin is the ingredient that gives peppers their heat. Generally, the hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. In addition to adding heat to the pepper, capsaicin relieves pain. Ointments made from capsaicin have been found to relieve the pain of arthritis when applied externally, and taken internally; capsaicin triggers the release of endorphins in the

Boswella Arthritis Beatdown – Boswellia is a genus of trees that grow in India, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. According to Phyllis Balch, author of “Prescription for Herbal Healing,” Boswellia’s aromatic resin is the source of frankincense, which was traded for centuries in the Middle East. Since boswellia trees are indigenous to India, Ayurvedic physicians have long employed its resin to treat arthritis, ulcerative colitis, snakebite,

Grapes are Good – Resveratrol, found in grapes, may be the next replacement to aspirin in the treatment for osteoarthritis. Resveratrol is produced in many plants to discourage the growth of bacteria and fungi. Resveratrol became better known in the early 1990s when it was suggested by researchers that it might be responsible for the cardiovascular benefits of drinking red wine, as cited in “Contemporary Nutrition.” Resveratrol is found primarily

Daily Supplements of Boron Reduce Pain from Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease, a source of daily pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion for millions of Americans. Emerging research indicates that, in addition to preserving bone health, boron may help relieve the debilitating symptoms of osteoarthritis. In one study involving subjects with osteoarthritis, 50% of the patients who received a daily supplement

Broccoli Antioxidants – Antioxidants have a natural anti-inflammatory action (without the side effects!) They interfere with different steps of the inflammatory process. So by supplementing with antioxidants, you can take advantage of this. There is a lot of scientific proof that shows their natural anti-inflammatory action. Broccoli contains glutathione, a powerful antioxidant and detoxifying agent. Glutathione is one of these antioxidants that

Vitamin K – The Boston University School of Medicine and Brigham and Women’s Hospital conducted a study that supported the hypothesis of an association between low plasma levels of vitamin K and increased prevalence of osteoarthritis in the hand and knee. Poor intake of vitamin K is common. Insufficient vitamin K can result in abnormal cartilage and bone mineralization. Furthermore, osteophyte growth, seen in osteoarthritis, may be a vitamin

Pineapple Power – Pineapple is a popular supplement among athletes and coaches alike to heal sports injuries. That’s because a key enzyme in pineapple called bromelain helps reduce inflammation. Bromelain was first reported to be of value as an analgesic/anti-inflammatory for use in both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritic patients in 1964. Bromelain is a crude, aqueous extract obtained from both the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant,