You have persistent pain in one knee. Or have you perhaps noticed swelling in your joints? Those are signs of osteoarthritis. This degeneration of the cartilage is the most common rheumatic disease. It affects nearly 15% of the population with a majority of people over 50 years of age. The causes of osteoarthritis are multiple and ageing favours its appearance. Joint pain and inflammation induced by this form of arthritis are disabling. But it is by no means a fatality. You can effectively prevent and relieve the pain associated with osteoarthritis. Take a look.
The aggravating factors of osteoarthritis
We are not all equal when it comes to osteoarthritis. Gender, age and lifestyle can affect the onset of the disease.
- Do you have a relative who have osteoarthritis ? You are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop osteoarthritis than the rest of the population. This is especially the case for osteoarthritis of the knee or gonarthrosis, and osteoarthritis of the hands.
- You are overweight, your work requires you to carry heavy loads or you practice a sport that puts intense strain on the joints. These conditions cause premature wear and tear.
- A sedentary lifestyle leads to poor oxygenation of the cartilage. It offers a favourable ground for osteoarthritis.
- A diet low in antioxidants and omega 3 is also an aggravating factor. It does not provide your body with the nutrients it needs to fight osteoarthritis.
- The menopause makes women vulnerable to this disease. Studies have shown that the drop in female hormones promotes inflammation that is conducive to osteoarthritis.
- A vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of osteoarthritis of the hip. This result is obtained by American researchers at the University of California in San Francisco, USA.
Taking medication: a temporary solution to relieve osteoarthritis
A sudden increase in pain or the appearance of joint stiffness are symptoms of a flare-up of osteoarthritis. This is inflammation of the synovial membrane. It usually accompanies a destruction of the cartilage and must be treated without delay. Taking allopathic drugs is one of the solutions :
- Relieve joint pain with simple analgesics such as Paracetamol;
- Reduce inflammation with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroid injections;
- Reduce the intensity of pain with symptomatic slow-acting anti-arthrosics (AASALs).
Non-drug treatments to prevent and relieve osteoarthritis attacks
Managing flare-ups of osteoarthritis is not enough. To improve quality of life, it is essential to establish routines to delay the progression of the disease.
4 easy tips for a healthy lifestyle
They're common sense.
- Rest the diseased joint during the acute phase of an osteoarthritis attack. Avoid leaning on the wrong leg, for example. But under no circumstances remain nailed to the bed. Keep moving, even if you need help with crutches. Movement activates cartilage cells. They are better nourished and heal faster.
- Regular, moderate physical activity strengthens the muscles around the joints. They protect them more effectively from shocks and stress.
- Losing weight relieves the joints and delays the development of osteoarthritis.
- Manage stress to avoid causing more than enough premature cell degeneration. Indeed, studies have shown that chronic stress, pollution and prolonged exposure to the sun increase the production of free radicals. They are responsible for many joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.
5 foods adapted to the treatment of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis doesn't just magically disappear. But a change in diet can slow its progression and reduce the frequency of painful inflammatory attacks. Favour products that contain :
- Omega 3. This fatty acid helps reduce inflammation and acts on pain.
- Antioxidants. They participate in the fight against the free radicals responsible for the ageing of our cells. They are one of the provocative factors of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis and chronic stress: is there a link ?
Here are the 5 foods that are particularly recommended in cases of osteoarthritis:
- Olive oil. Like rapeseed oil or linseed oil, it is rich in omega 3.
- Fruits and vegetables. Abuse red fruits: blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, goji berries, etc. Powerful antioxidants, they contain polyphenols that help to suppress free radicals. Enjoy them plain, as a sorbet or just sprinkled in cottage cheese.
In the vegetable family, prefer greens: kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach, parsley. They are rich in vitamin K, a substance essential for building bones and cartilage.
- Spices. Turmeric and ginger are both powerful anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. They are useful in the prevention of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
- Oleaginous plants. Whether nuts or flax seeds, they provide you with a significant amount of omega 3. Consume them every day. Sprinkle them in salads or eat them just plain. They relieve your joint pain.
- Oily fish. Salmon, sardines, herring or mackerel are rich in omega 3. They also provide zinc and selenium, two antioxidants that help fight painful inflammation.
Carbon 60, the antioxidant champion
Carbon 60 or C60 was discovered in 1985. It is made from graphite. After vaporization by an intense electric current, carbon is reorganized into a football-shaped molecule of 60 atoms. Hence the name C60.
You'll find C60 mixed in vegetable oil. This oil carries it to the liver, the organ that processes the oil. From there it passes into the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body. To make taking C60 a pleasure, you can choose between olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil and oleic sunflower oil.
C60 is the most powerful antioxidant known. It is 172 times more effective than vitamin C. Take three tablespoons of C60 oil on the first day of a flu and you'll be out of the flu in two days. In the case of osteoarthritis, carbon 60 helps regenerate cartilage by increasing the production of chondrocytes.
Osteoarthritis: put all the chances on your side with Carbon 60
Osteoarthritis is a painful and disabling joint disease. Osteoarthritis cannot be completely cured. Medications are active, but not without side effects.
To limit their intake, other actions can be taken to delay and effectively relieve osteoarthritis.
- Reduce stress and do moderate physical exercise to lose weight.
- Favour foods that contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents: fruits and vegetables, oily fish, olive oil, etc.
- Take C60, one of the most powerful antioxidants currently available.
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