Alfalfa sprouts are thin, crunchy sprouts derived from alfalfa seeds. According to Rose Elliot, author of "Rose Elliot's Vegetarian Cookery," these sprouts are abundant sources of B vitamins, protein and vitamin C. Alfalfa sprouts are one of the...
Formed in the skin from cholesterol reacting with sunlight, vitamin D is not an essential nutrient. However, due to low light levels in some climates and more time spent at indoor activities, deficiencies are not uncommon. Beyond bone formation,...
Nutritional factors are significant for maintaining good bone, cartilage and joint health through life. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, also known as PUFAs, are considered essential fatty acids because they are required by your body to...
It is important to know the basic anatomy of a joint and how it works in order to understand some of the disease processes that can affect joints. Most actual joint diseases (as well as joint pain) are types of arthritis. There are several...
Reservatrol is a substance found in red grape skin that may improve heart health. Reservatrol is an antioxidant that raises the levels of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol in your bloodstream. HDL cholesterol is the "good" type of...
Chondroitin is a naturally-occurring substance that is predominately present in your cartilage, the tough tissue that protects your joints. If you have osteoarthritis, a chronic inflammatory joint disease, you may find relief from painful joint...
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a painful inflammatory arthritis that affects joints and nearby tissues. Pain, swelling and stiffness are all symptoms of RA and may be controlled in many people through medication use. Changing the way you eat and...
Joint swelling can be a painful and disabling symptom. Often associated with acute or chronic inflammation, joint swelling should be minimized whenever possible to avoid long-term oxidative damage. Studies have shown dopamine to be useful in...
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease that destroys your neck joints, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This disease causes severe pain and stiffness in your neck. Gentle exercising of your neck joints can...
Several diseases cause morning stiffness, including arthritis, headaches, fibromyalgia, bone diseases and cancer. Trauma or overuse of a joint also contributes to stiffness. Stiffness may be worse in the morning after a night of physical...
Flax oil is a supplement derived from the seeds of flax, a herb that is scientifically known as Linum usitatissimum. Dr. James Balch, M.D., author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," cites research studies that found flax oil to be...
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that is characterized by pain, redness, swelling and warmth in the small joints of the fingers, wrists and feet. It is an autoimmune disease--a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the...
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a serious joint disease that can also affect surrounding tissues. In all cases, rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation, pain and stiffness in affected joints. RA can appear without warning, and in some cases it...
Knee replacement is an elective surgical procedure that involves replacement of diseased knee bone and cartilage with artificial implants. There are two major forms of knee replacement surgery: total knee replacement, during which the entire knee...
A gnawing pain at the joints with even minimal movement can cause excruciating pain in people suffering from joint problems. Some symptoms may include swelling of the joints, limited joint movements, joint stiffness and redness at the joints....
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common form of inflammatory joint disease characterized by swelling of the joints, pain, stiffness and limited range of motion. The main source of vitamin D3 is from sunlight, but most North Americans do not get enough...
Although you need omega-3 fatty acids for health, growth and development, your body can't make these unsaturated fats that are critical for reducing inflammation in the body. Salmon provides 1.5g of omega-3 fatty acids per 4-ounce serving....
If you have experienced symptoms of pain, redness and swelling in one of your joints, gout might be the cause. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP, the peak incidence of gout occurs between ages 30 and 50. Certain...
Hand pain can have a major impact on day-to-day life, making many everyday tasks nearly impossible if pain becomes too overwhelming. Because hand pain doesn't just stem from a single cause, it may sometimes be difficult to figure out the reason...
There are many causes of finger joint pain. According to MedlinePlus, almost everybody experiences a finger injury at some point in their lives. Any structure that composes the finger--including muscles, tendons, bones, ligaments, nerves and blood...
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease characterized by pain, swelling and limited range of motion of the affected joints. Individuals suffering from this condition are at higher risk to develop osteoporosis, heart disease and...
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder, involving a wearing away of the cartilage that cushions bones where they come together at joints. When that happens, bones rub together, resulting in pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling. The joints...
The most common cause of lower back and pelvic pain is lifting an object that is too heavy, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Traumatic injuries and certain medical conditions can also cause discomfort in these areas. A...
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing pain, swelling and reduced mobility. A progressive joint disorder, rheumatoid arthritis may eventually destroy the affected joint if left untreated....
If you suffer from episodes of joint pain, swelling and redness, gout may be the issue causing your symptoms. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, gouty arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory joint disease in men over...
Joints are located in between your bones and allow your body to be flexible. They allow you to turn your head, bend at your hips, type on a keyboard and move. As you age and overuse these joints, they can decline in function and become diseased....
Approximately 46 million adults suffer from arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation reports. Arthritis is a serious health issue that can increase the risk of missed work days, disability and lower quality of life. Diet plays a role in the prevention...
Hibiscus tea may help reduce inflammation in your body. This fragrant, red tea also may help lower your blood pressure. However, scientific evidence to back such uses is not strong, and well-designed human studies that confirm such benefits are...
Blackberry, or Rubus villosus, is a deciduous shrub native to the Mediterranean. Traditional healers use the leaves, roots and bark to treat mouth inflammations and diarrhea, but the berries also have a long history of medicinal use. Another name...
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that causes signs and symptoms ranging from rash and flu-like fever and body aches to more serious ones including joint swelling, weakness, fatigue and temporary paralysis. Lyme disease is caused by the...
