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Nutritional therapy can be very effective with joints affected by Osteoarthritis. Recently, I had positive reports from people with sore joints.
One reported significant improvement in an ankle. She can now walk for several kilometres, something previously impossible.
This usually involves supplements that can help improve joint function. I’m genuinely surprised if we cannot make joints affected by OA more comfortable in six-12 weeks.
Knees tend to respond faster followed by hips, shoulders, then small joints of the hand and foot. OA in the spine can respond but is much more variable, especially the lower back.
Healing sore joints usually goes through three phases.
The first is short-term improvements.
This is mostly due to adding food compounds that are very anti-inflammatory.
These include chondroitin sulphate, 100% curcumin from turmeric and marine omega 3.
The ‘itis’ suffix in arthritis just means inflammation. Joint capsule inflammation is the major cause of discomfort and restriction in mobility. We can normally reduce this in six-12 weeks.
The intermediate period, of three-six months, is when other biochemical changes to the joint start. The most important is stimulating cartilage secreting cells, called chondrocytes, to repair damaged cartilage.
Additionally, this is the time where reduction of destructive enzymes and free radicals becomes obvious. The final healing period is from six months and can continue for years.
Healing is much slower, but the cumulative effect of therapy continues to improve joint function. Contact me if you’d like a copy of my osteoarthritis programme.
John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz