John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

I know what osteoarthritis feels like. Both my thumb joints (CMC joint) have significant deterioration due to hyper-extended thumb ligaments. Loose ligaments meant that when I was young, I could move my thumb into positions the joint was never designed to take.

In my 30s, an orthopaedic surgeon said he hadn't seen such deterioration in a younger person. By my 40s they were painful and limiting my activities. People often describe osteoarthritis like having glass in your joints, and that is certainly how it felt.

Over the past 15-plus years I have applied nutritional medicine principles, including an anti-inflammatory diet and several supplements to reduce inflammation and improve joint function.

Now, at 63, the thumbs have gone from significant discomfort to slight annoyance.

The interesting thing is an X-ray would still show significant deterioration, but I am largely symptom free.

My upcoming public seminar on March 1, from 7-9pm at the Hotel Armitage in Tauranga, will focus on osteoarthritis.

Why? Because most people will, at some stage in their lives, be affected by osteoarthritis.

Possibly the biggest misconception is that OA is caused by wear and tear.

We used to think that cartilage just wore out over time with use.

There is no doubt that injury and some occupations can damage joints and make them more susceptible to arthritis. However, modern research confirms that OA is a true disease process with known causes.

In the seminar we will discuss disease processes of OA before looking at how to build real solutions.

This will include foods that worsen OA, foods that help OA and supplements that can help reduce inflammation and restore joint function.

There will be plenty of time for questions. To register, phone: 0800 423 559 or email: mail@abundant.co.nz

I look forward to meeting you.

For more information give me a call or email: john@abundant.co.nz

You can read back issues at: www.abundant.co.nz

John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on: 0800 423 559. To read more go to: www.sunlive.co.nz