The ultimate guide to healthy joints

Prevent and treat the aches of arthritis with these all-natural strategies

Natural Health magazine—April 1, 2009

Eat joint-friendly foods

The right diet can help you avoid osteoarthritis or manage its symptoms, says Vijay Vad, MD, author of Arthritis Rx (Gotham Books, 2006), and sports medicine physician at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He recommends an antiinflammatory eating plan, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fats from cold-water fish, olive oil, and walnuts. Avoid or eliminate red meat, dairy, polyunsaturated vegetable oils (safflower, sunflower, soy, peanut, and corn), refined grains and sugars (white breads, white flour pastas), and processed foods.

Drug-free ways to ease the pain

Pain from osteoarthritis can be debilitating. These strategies can help ease the suffering.

Meditate. Practice slow, deep breathing or visualization exercises to help ease your mind and reduce discomfort, suggests Dr. Vad. You can take a formal mediation class, where you sit and focus for 20 to 30 minutes every day, or you could simply sit still with your eyes closed for five minutes in a calm, quiet place.