Natural Cures for Arthritis

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Arthritis can be a painful and debilitating disease and it comes in many forms. No matter what form of arthritis you have, on the bad days it can be really bad. There are a number of different treatments out there ranging from drugs, to therapeutic rehabilitation programs but one of the best ways to treat arthritis is to use natural foods and supplements.

Natural cures for arthritis are preferred by many people because they use natural compounds found in the food we eat for relief from arthritic pain. Many of the natural cures may seem crazy and unorthodox or more like old wives tales. However, they remain an option for treatment and one of the reasons they exist is because they worked for somebody! So it's important to keep an open mind when trying out these natural cures for arthritis.

Before I start I should mention that it's important to research each of these cures thoroughly and verify manufacturer's claims. A lot of times manufacturers will hype their product with a sales pitch, but other times these claims are genuine. Also, be sure to check with your doctor if you start to see any increased symptoms or complications after trying a natural arthritis treatment.

People who treat their arthritis with natural foods and supplements generally find that it takes a while for them to see results. As a rule of thumb you should take a supplement or change your diet for at least 12 weeks before deciding whether it's working or not. It may be helpful to keep a food journal to keep track of what you try, how much, and how long.

Below are some arthritis natural remedies and a little bit about why they could work:

1. Tart Cherry Juice – there really hasn't been much in the way of scientific evidence to back up these claims but people have sworn that drinking tart cherry juice or taking cherry supplements have lessened their arthritis symptoms. One possible mechanism that would support these claims is that cherries, in particular tart cherries, have higher levels of anthocyanins. These anthocyanins block the COX-2 enzyme, an enzyme that facilitates inflammation. The pain killer Celebrex was a COX-2 inhibitor before it was taken off the market.

2. Fish oil supplements – Fish oil supplements are taken as a substitute for eating fish every day. It's been known for a while that fish, in particular coldwater fish, are higher in omega 3 fatty acids. These omega 3 fatty acids contain two compounds (known as DHA and EPA) that naturally reduce inflammation and stiffness. One study found that some people taking fish oil supplements were able to reduce or eliminate taking NSAIDs like Aspirin or Advil. Many people have been taking fish oil supplements to treat their arthritis naturally.

3. Choice of foods in your diet – Many people have advocated reducing or eliminating foods from your diet like dairy products or meats. In fact, there have been studies that have shown that people who consume high amounts of Omega 6 fatty acids tend to have arthritis flare ups more frequently. This is believed to occur because the Omega 6 fatty acids are naturally inflammatory and compete with Omega 3 fatty acids for the use of an enzyme. Foods high in Omega 6 fatty acids are most vegetable oils, corn, and animal products from corn fed animals (such as diary and meat).

4. Glucosamine chondrotin – this supplement gained popularity several decades ago as being a natural supplement that can relieve joint pain. Glucosamine has been proven to provide the natural benefit of slowing the progression of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, easing joint pain, lubricating the joints by rejuvenating synovial fluid and promoting healthy and flexible joints.

Natural cures for arthritis provide an excellent alternative from modern medications and therapies. Most of these natural cures can be tried inexpensively without a prescription and from the convenience of your own home without the risk of hazardous side effects. The most important thing is to give it time and to not lose hope.