Osteoarthritis (arthrosis) natural treatment (natural remedies)

Osteoarthritis (OA) also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or arthrosis, is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects cartilage. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over each other. It also helps absorb shock of movement. In osteoarthritis, the top layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away.

The most common symptoms of arthrosis include:

   -joint pain

   -joint stiffness

   -tenderness around affected joints

   -reduced flexibility in affected joints

   -bone-to-bone grating or rubbing

   -bone spurs (small bits of extra bone growth around affected joints)

Other symptoms may include joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and when the back is affected weakness or numbness of the arms and legs.

Osteoarthritis Causes:

Here are some of the factors that contribute to the development of OA:

Weight: Being overweight puts additional pressure on hips and knees. Many years of carrying extra pounds can cause the cartilage that cushions joints to break down faster. Research has shown there is a link between being overweight and having an increased risk of osteoarthritis in the hands. These studies suggest that excess fat tissue produces inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) that can damage the joints. 

Injury and overuse: Repetitive movements or injuries to joints (such as a fracture, surgery or ligament tears) can lead to osteoarthritis. Some athletes, for example, repeatedly damage joints, tendons and ligaments, which can speed cartilage breakdown. Certain careers that require standing for long periods of time, repetitive bending, heavy lifting or other movements can also make cartilage wear away more quickly. An imbalance or weakness of the muscles supporting a joint can also lead to altered movement and eventual cartilage breakdown in joints.

Others: Several other factors may contribute to osteoarthritis. These factors include bone and joint disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, certain metabolic disorders such as hemochromatosis, which causes the body to absorb too much iron, or acromegaly, which causes the body to make too much growth hormone. 

Osteoarthritis and Diet Recommendations:

Include the following foods in your diet: fresh vegetables (except the nightshade vegetables, which should be avoided), fruits (especially pigment-rich berries since they contain anthocyanidins, which enhance collagen matrix integrity and structure), whole grains, flax seed oil, deep ocean fish (anti-inflammatiry omega 3 oils), nuts, soy products and beverages (hormonal support).

Avoid sugar, refined flour products, processed foods, fast foods, saturated fats (animal and dairy products), hydrogenated oils, nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes), tobacco products.

Herbal Therapeutics (natural treatment, natural remedies, natural cure):

-Glucosamine: the body naturally produces glucosamine, but the glucosamine found in supplements comes from shellfish or is made in a laboratory. Glucosamine stimulates the biosynthesis (production) of some proteoglycans, restores damaged chondrocytes (cells of cartilage tissue), and has some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities.

- Chondroitine: it is responsible for the water retention of the cartilage, which is important for pressure resistance. It can be extracted from the cartilaginous tissue of cows, pigs, birds, and fish (sharks) and is ingested in the diet.

Improves functional status of people with hip or knee OA. Reduces joint swelling and stiffness.

- Colagen: essential for ligaments and skin elasticity, helps maintain cartilage, Articulations, skin, eyes and cellular health, excellent for cardiovascular system (elasticity of arteries)

- Hyaluronic acid : supports joint health and mobility, improves lubrication in the joints,  great for stiff joints, particularly the knees - restores cushioning around the joints.

- MSM : helps to build protein, connective tissue, hormones and enzymes. Its pain relieving activity is believed to be fourfold.  Firstly it can reduce the transmission of pain signals along nerve fibers. Secondly it increases blood flow to an area.  Thirdly it reduces muscle spasms.  And lastly, MSM stops the release of inflammatory compounds.  MSM can also help the body to detoxify by supporting the functioning of the liver.  MSM can be helpful for those individuals who have inflammatory conditions like arthritis, lupus and interstitial cystitis, suffer from seasonal allergies, or have pain due to other health conditions.

- Boswellia: studies on the usefulness of boswellia in RA treatment have shown mixed results. One study published in the Journal of Rheumatology found that boswellia might help to reduce RA joint swelling. However, it also revealed that boswellia does not work any better than a placebo in affecting other RA measures.

Some research suggests that boswellia may interfere with the autoimmune process, which would make it an effective therapy for RA.

- Harpagophytum: Relieves pain and inflammation. May help lower uric acid levels in people with gout. Acts as a digestive aid and appetite stimulant.

- Omega 3: most clinical studies examining omega-3 fatty acid supplements for arthritis have focused on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints. Several small studies have found that fish oil helps reduce symptoms of RA, including joint pain and morning stiffness. One study suggests that people with RA who take fish oil may be able to lower their dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, unlike prescription medications, fish oil does not appear to slow progression of RA, only to treat the symptoms. Joint damage still occurs.

- Zinc: is a regulator of the immune system ensuring that cells for identifying and killing microbes, viruses and cancerous cells are in good working order.  Zinc is a cofactor for the antioxidant system superoxide dismutase (SOD).  Antioxidants neutralize free radicals.  They are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage.  

- Selenium: has been used to treat many conditions including male infertility, asthma, arthritis, cataracts, AIDS, hypothyroidism, alcoholic cirrhosis and high blood pressure

Adrian Udrea - herbalist (herbal practitioner), nutritionist

Contact me via email : plantevindecatoare@gmail.com ( for personalized herbal programs).