Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that can cause pain, stiffness, and sometimes even disability. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are several ways to delay its onset and prevent further damage.
Engage in light exercise:
Light exercise can help strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints and delay the progression of osteoarthritis. Stretching and low-impact aerobic exercises can improve health with minimal stress placed on the joints. Yoga and tai-chi are relaxing and can improve range of motion. Swimming, walking, and cycling are all great aerobic exercises that protect the joints while building the muscles around them.
Increase your intake of vitamin E:
A study by Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine found several ways that Vitamin E can slow down osteoarthritis. For one, it protects the bones by aiding in the maintenance of skeletal muscle. Vitamin E also regulates the metabolism of nucleic acid, which delays the progression of osteoarthritis. To increase your vitamin E intake, you can take a vitamin E supplement or consume foods with high levels of vitamin E like wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, peanut butter, salmon, and avocado. We recommend only taking natural vitamin E supplements, which come as mixed tocopherols.
Maintain a healthy weight:
If you are overweight, losing weight can help slow down osteoarthritis. The more we weigh, the more stress we place on our joints every day. Every pound you lose takes about 4 pounds per square inch of pressure off of the knee joints. Maintaining a healthy weight will lower the stress placed on joints and minimize the effects of osteoarthritis. We recommend a Mediterranean diet and avoid high-inflammatory foods like sugar and processed foods.
Take a glucosamine sulfate supplement:
Glucosamine sulfate is a naturally occurring sugar found in the tissues surrounding the joints. In a study conducted by Rheumatology International, glucosamine sulfate was found to dramatically decrease the symptoms and degree of osteoarthritis in the lower limbs. The recommended dosage is 1,500 mg a day. Consult with your doctor before beginning to take glucosamine sulfate. Because most glucosamine sulfate is derived from shellfish, be particularly cautious if you are allergic, and check the packaging before purchasing.
If you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, you don’t have to live in pain. Visit Greenberg Regenerative Medicine to see how our noninvasive stem cell or PRP therapies can help relieve your symptoms. Call (833) 440-HEAL today!
