Joint pain, one of the most common chronic health problems associated with aging, affects approximately 46 million Americans, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Fortunately, many remedies exist, ranging from medications to diets that focus on reducing symptoms and improving joint functioning. Trying one or several of these approaches may leave you with less pain and more mobility. Talk to a doctor about your best options.
Diet
Despite myths, no specific arthritis diet exists, reports the Arthritis Foundation. However, a diet that is high in saturated fats can worsen arthritis by increasing the body's inflammatory response. Maintaining a low-fat, healthy diet can help improve your overall health and in turn affect your body's reaction to arthritis symptoms. Highly saturated foods include red meat, butter and whole milk. MayoClinic.com recommends limiting those and other fatty foods in the diet and consuming no more than 15 g of saturated fat daily.
Exercise
Exercising works in several ways to remedy arthritis symptoms: by aiding weight loss which may be needed to relieve stress on weight-bearing joints, by improving strength and joint flexibility and by releasing endorphins, the feel-good chemicals in the brain that can take the edge off pain and lift your mood. The experts at MayoClinic.com suggest starting with water activities, such as swimming or water aerobics, which place less stress on the joints.
Herbal Remedies
Herbs are popular alternative remedies for arthritis, but little scientific research is available to confirm the efficacy of some herbs. Because they are not strictly monitored by the Food and Drug Administration, they may contain unsafe ingredients and dosages. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that green tea, ginger and turmeric may help reduce inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Talk to your doctor before beginning an herbal regimen.
