| Do you think arthritis strikes only the old? If so, you are | | | | are all rich in Vitamin K. Cook the greens in olive oil or, if |
| wrong. Only 40% of people with arthritis are over 65. | | | | you are eating them in a salad, add olive oil to the |
| Plus the stress on joints can begin ten to twenty years | | | | dressing. Vitamin K is fat-soluble and the olive oil |
| before people experience any pain. | | | | improves your absorption. |
| There are more than a hundred kinds of arthritis but | | | | Look for foods that are rich in selenium as selenium is |
| one of the most common is osteoarthritis which | | | | known to help reduce swelling and maintain healthy |
| involves deterioration of joint cartilage - the rubbery | | | | joint tissue. High levels of selenium can be found in |
| tissue at the end of your bones that permits smooth | | | | sunflower seeds which make a great mid-afternoon or |
| movement and absorbs shock. The symptoms are | | | | evening snack. Other selenium-rich foods are pumpkin |
| pain, stiffness in joints and difficulty in moving joints. All | | | | seeds, Brazil nuts, shrimp, salmon, tuna, snapper, and |
| of these can be debilitating and seriously affect the | | | | lamb. |
| quality of your life so it pays to incorporate some | | | | Seventy percent of the cartilage in joints is composed |
| lifestyle strategies which will protect your joints. | | | | of water which is a major player in joint lubrication. So |
| One of the major causes of osteoarthritis is excess | | | | it is important to drink the recommended quantity of |
| weight and obesity. Those extra pounds exert | | | | water every day. Do not count sodas, coffee or tea |
| pressure on your joints accelerating the loss of | | | | as a substitute for water. They either act as a diuretic |
| shock-absorbing cartilage. Losing just eleven pounds | | | | or else they contain ingredients that can interfere with |
| will substantially reduce your risk. | | | | water absorption. |
| Nutrition plays an important part in preventing | | | | A sedentary life also increases the risk for arthritis. If |
| osteoarthritis. For instance, a diet high in Vitamin C will | | | | you work all day at a computer and then go home |
| not only cut your risk of developing arthritis; it will even | | | | and spend the evening watching TV you are inviting |
| slow its progression in people who have OA. Vitamin | | | | muscular weakness. You need regular exercise. It |
| C attacks free radicals before they have an | | | | doesn't have to be strenuous, just regular. However |
| opportunity to damage joint tissue. It also stimulates the | | | | some exercises such as jogging and tennis wear |
| enzymes involved in building healthy new cartilage. | | | | down the cartilage in your leg and hip joints. |
| However, the vitamin C should come from foods such | | | | Biking is a recommended exercise because the |
| as oranges, grapefruit, and kiwi rather than | | | | smooth, repetitive motion thickens the cartilage in your |
| supplements. Vitamin C rich foods have other nutrients | | | | leg and hip joints. Yoga is another highly recommended |
| that will maximize the vitamin's benefits. | | | | activity. Whichever you choose, you should do it for at |
| Vitamin K also helps in repairing and building joint tissue. | | | | least thirty minutes three times a week. |
| Studies have demonstrated 200 mcg of Vitamin K a | | | | These lifestyle changes are not difficult to incorporate |
| day will provide protection from arthritis. Kale, Swiss | | | | into your daily routine but the rewards of living |
| chard, parsley, spinach, broccoli and Brussels sprouts | | | | pain-free days make them well worthwhile. |