Ruth asks This Morning doctor about milk helping arthritis
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High in antioxidants and vitamin C, which can neutralise free radicals that lead to inflammation – a precursor to pain – the refreshing juice you could benefit from sipping on is pineapple. Verified by the Arthritis Foundation, pineapple juice can help to reduce painful symptoms. The tangy juice contains the compound bromelain, which is said to have analgesic (i.e. pain-relieving) properties.
Naturopathic doctor, Amy Rothenberg, said: “I have a woman in her 50s who is into golf but has arthritis in her knee.
“If she takes bromelain right before and right after, she says she has a much better time on the course.”
Dr Rothenberg added that people tend to be “surprised by how well it can work”.
The enzyme mixture, present in pineapple, is said to be a “useful treatment for osteoarthritis”, Medical News Today stated.
However, research on bromelain can be mixed, so it is best to see if you benefit from drinking pineapple juice yourself.
Be aware that fruit juice can be high in sugar, and calories, so it’s important to drink sensibly.
Other fruit juices that may be beneficial, according to the Arthritis Foundation, include orange, tomato and carrot juice.
Experts at the Mayo Clinic recommend people with arthritis to “do daily, gentle stretches that move your joints through their full range of motion”.
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While exercise can be beneficial for the joints, it is best not to overdo it.
“Choose the right kinds of activities — those that build the muscles around your joints but don’t damage the joints themselves,” the health site noted.
Low-impact exercises to enjoy include walking, cycling or water exercises.
By moving the joints, stiffness and soreness can be reduced, muscles can be strengthened, and your endurance will increase.
Activities to avoid overdoing it include:
- Running
- Jumping
- Tennis
- High-impact aerobics.
Over-the-counter pain relief medications are also effective at reducing painful arthritis symptoms.
“Consult your doctor if over-the-counter medications don’t relieve your pain,” the Mayo Clinic added.
Another way to help soothe pain and stiffness is to go for a professional massage.
To treat arthritis pain at home, you can apply heating pads to aching joints or take a hot bath or shower.
Alternatively, you could essentially numb the area by applying an ice pack to relieve pain and inflammation.
Doing activities that relax you may also be helpful, whether this is being in nature or writing in a journal.
The Mayo Clinic added that some people benefit from acupuncture treatments.
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