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Osteoarthritis (and joint pain / swelling)
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis.
It is characterised by pain and stiffness (especially in the morning or after exercise), swelling, deformity and/or a diminished range of motion.
Bone spurs or growths may develop on the affected joints, which increase pain and reduce mobility.
What is osteoarthritis?
There are many different kinds of arthritis. The types of arthritis range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis).
Other related conditions include fibromyalgia, gout, lupus, Lyme disease, bursitis, scleroderma and ankylosing spondylitis. Together, the many types of arthritis make up one of the most common chronic disorders worldwide.
Why do I have osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis (also called degenerative joint disease). It involves deterioration of the cartilage protecting the ends of the bones. 
Sometimes it is caused by injury or an inherited defect in the protein that forms cartilage.
More commonly, it is simply the result of ageing, diet and lifestyle.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis affects the weight bearing joints – the knees, the hips and the back, but also the hands and the knuckles. Although the resulting disability is usually minor, it can increase the risk of fractures as the bones become more brittle.
Although rare before the age of forty, Osteoarthritis is very common after the age of sixty. It is often so mild that it goes unnoticed until it appears on an x-ray.
How is osteoarthritis normally treated?
Standard treatment may include the use of anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids – both of which have potentially damaging side effects.
How can Foodwise help?
Is arthritis an issue for you? Foodwise can help.
Anti-inflammatory pain medications, corticosteroids and physical therapy are not your only options.
We have all the nutritional information and dietary advice to help manage arthritis and bring lasting relief to many types of related conditions.
Join nowHow does healthy nutrition help treat arthritis naturally?
Many people don't realize how much nutrition can increase or reduce the pain of arthritis.
The fact is, arthritis can be halted and in some cases even reversed with the proper diet and lifestyle changes. Because arthritis is a disease of inflammation, the most effective and logical approach is to adopt dietary and lifestyle measure that fight inflammation. The medical approach to arthritis focuses on ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medications, whereas the nutritional approach focuses eating anti-inflammatory foods and avoiding those that promote inflammation.
Being overweight can cause and aggravate osteoarthritis by putting more pressure on the joints and adding to wear and tear. Therefore losing weight can also be beneficial for arthritis sufferers.
An effective approach to managing arthritis includes:
- following a whole food, fibre-rich anti-inflammatory diet
- identifying food intolerances
- avoiding inflammatory foods (including the nightshade family - potatoes, paprika, tomatoes, peppers and aubergine)
- maintaining a healthy weight
- correcting nutritional deficiencies
...as well as the appropriate use of natural supplements and home remedies.
Find out more about the Inflammatory and Immune Conditions Program here
Recommended for you:
Inflammatory & Immune
Sign up for the Foodwise Immune and Inflammatory conditions program and manage osteoarthritis and related symptoms.
We recommend the Foodwise Immune and Inflammatory program for anyone suffering from osteoarthritis and other inflammatory-related issues.
By following this program you’ll learn how to control arthritis naturally through healthy nutrition.
Get started and see improved symptoms and immediate benefits to your health and wellbeing right away!