Living with Arthritis

There are more than a hundred types of arthritis with a few kinds being very common. Recognizing early warning signs is the key to preventing the problem from becoming severe. The main signs a person has arthritis include pain, swelling, redness, and/or limited movement of joints. Other signs include cracking sounds when moving joints, weakness combined with joint pain, increased pain when the weather changes, warmth inside a joint, early morning stiffness, and unexplained fever. Not all signs or symptoms will be present in each individual; some people may experience only one symptom. Stress can cause arthritis while certain foods make symptoms worse. In addition to consuming certain supplements to treat arthritis, natural remedies can significantly improve arthritis symptoms.

Natural Remedies that Improve Arthritis
First, flexibility and strengthening exercises are critical to keeping mobility and preventing arthritis from worsening. Continuing to participate in favorite activities also helps joints stay flexible.

Alternative remedies for arthritis include acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic therapy, herbs, hydrotherapy, juice therapy, massage therapy, shark cartilage, reflexology, and yoga.

One of the best supplements for arthritis is chlorella. It's a super food so people can eat as much as they wish, although everyone has a unique comfort level. If people consume too much chlorella, then they will simply feel full. Most people do not consume enough of chlorella which is very important if using the super food to improve arthritis.

For a healthy person to maintain good health, 5,000 to 8,000 milligrams of chlorella is needed daily. People with a health problem such as arthritis need 10,000 to 20,000 milligrams of chlorella daily until the body rejuvenates itself back to good health.

Foods that Worsen Arthritis Symptoms
Certain types of foods will cause excess suffering from arthritis symptoms. About one-third of people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are sensitive to nightshade plants which include white potatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and tobacco. These should be eliminated from the diet. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused from an immune system imbalance; the other most popular form, osteoarthritis, is caused from wear and tear.

Foods to Avoid
- Avoid all processed and canned foods.
- Avoid all white flour foods (crackers, white pasta, white rice, white bread).
- Avoid all fried foods.
- Avoid all hydrogenated or processed oils (margarine, peanut butter, potato chips).
- Avoid corn oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil.
- Avoid sugar, caffeine, coffee, alcohol.
- Avoid excess salt.
- Rhubarb, cranberries, plums, spinach, and chard are high in oxalic acid.
- Avoid saturated fats, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, rich fatty foods, fried foods, and refined sugar. These substances make the internal environment more acidic. Acid in joints promotes inflammation which worsens symptoms and increases pain.
- Fatty red meats, chicken, eggs, margarine, shortening, tobacco, sugars, and dairy products should also be dramatically cut down or eliminated from the diet.

Arthritis Friendly Foods
Many people who have arthritis are very deficient in calcium and magnesium. Start consuming a liquid calcium-magnesium supplement daily for both prevention and to help stop arthritis from worsening. Some people with arthritis are also severely deficient in certain vitamins and essential fatty acids. Everyone needs to consume plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants daily whether a person has arthritis or not. Supplements will always be the best way to ensure the body is getting the proper nutrition it needs for optimal health. There are links at the end of this article for finding more information along with supplements that can significantly help with arthritis.

Eat Plenty of these Foods
- Fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, seeds, and whole grains
- Eat a diet high in fiber
- Fresh-squeezed vegetable and fruit juices
- Green vegetables such as watercress, parsley, celery, kale, and okra
- Seaweeds
- Carrots
- Spirulina
- Barley and wheat grass products (anti-inflammatory and detoxifying)
- Avocados
- Pineapple
- Pecans
- Potassium broth
- Soy products
- Whole grains, such as brown rice, millet, oats, wheat, and barley
- Whole-grain pasta, whole-grain flour, and whole-grain breads
- Non-farmed cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, halibut, trout, sardines, and tuna
- For salad dressings and cooking, use only olive oil, canola oil, and flaxseed oil.
- Drink at least six to eight glasses of purified water daily (minimum 64 oz daily).
- Take 2 teaspoons Norwegian Cod Liver oil each morning.
- Drink the water used for boiling or steaming vegetables. Do not use too much water, and do not use salt when cooking. Boiling vegetables removes many of their nutrients; steaming is always better.

A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet filled with complex carbohydrates found in vegetables and grains has been shown to be very helpful in dealing with arthritis. This type of diet reduces fat in tiny arteries that supply blood to the joints, allowing more oxygen and nutrients for nourishment.

Proper nutrition, exercise, and getting enough sleep are extremely important for dealing with arthritis symptoms. Without a plentiful supply of vitamins and minerals every day the body cannot be as healthy as possible. Also remember to keep joints flexible through exercising and continuing to do your favorite activities.