Joint degeneration is very common with over 1 in 4 adults suffering with some type of arthritis or joint pain (arthralgia). You may experience pain, burning, throbbing or “grating” in your joints, such as your knees, hips, wrists, elbows, shoulders, jaw.
The joints in your body contain connective tissues such as ligaments, tendons and cartilage which allows them to move and bend. Sometimes these tissues become damaged or wear away, causing stiffness and a dull aching sensation, especially in the spine, the hands or the joints you use most often. Joint pain can be caused by poor posture, such as slouching in front of computer for long periods of time, Rheumatoid or osteoarthritis may be causing your joint pain, You may have a nutritional deficiency causing your joints to become weaker and inflamed. Or you could have sustained a sports injury when exercising or carrying a heavy load.
Fortunately, there are natural diet tips that you can follow to relieve joint pain and also repair the joint tissues. In this article you’ll learn about the top 12 foods to heal your joints, and also what you need to avoid to prevent a flare up of pain in the future.
12. Cabbage
Start consuming chopped raw cabbage as a side dish to your meals and you’ll soon notice less pain and inflammation in your joints. Cabbage is unique amongst salad vegetables, as it’s loaded with L-glutamine, an amino acid which stimulates healing throughout the body. Cabbage is also loaded with Vitamin C complex, which stimulates collagen production. This strengthens the framework and connective tissues in your joints. I also recommend eating a 1 serving of sauerkraut 2-3 times per week. This fermented cabbage is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C on the planet to lower inflammation in your joints.
11. Wild Salmon & Oily Fish
It’s recommended to eat oily fish 3 times per week such as wild salmon, sardines, mackerel and anchovies. These fish are loaded with unsaturated fats called DHA and EPA (docosahexaenoic acid & eicosapentaenoic acid) These are omega-3 fatty acids which regulate inflammation in your body, and prevent the immune system from attacking the tissues in your joints. They also help to lubricate the joints by producing healthy synovial fluid. On a side note try to Avoid farmed fish and opt for wild caught varieties, as these naturally contain more nutrients from the ocean. If you wish, you can supplement by taking 1-2tsp of virgin cod liver oil on a daily basis.
10. Olive Oil
REAL extra virgin olive oil is one of the most powerful natural pain killers in the world, and has been compared to ibuprofen in some studies. Stop consuming inflammatory vegetable oils and seed oils that are making your joint pain worse (corn, cottonseed, peanut, sunflower, canola etc…) And start using EVVO instead. REAL olive oil contains oleocanthal, a substance which blocks certain enzymes in your body that cause inflammation. I recommend using at least 2-3 tablespoons of this daily, ideally over your salads or in stir fries. This will also help you to extract and absorb more antioxidants from vegetables.
9. Walnuts & Brazil Nuts
Take some walnuts and soak them in water for 24-48 hours. This germinates the nut and removes phytic acid which can block certain minerals from being absorbed. Dry these out on a low heat in the oven and then consume a small handful of them on a daily basis to get rid of arthritis pain. Walnuts are loaded with L-arginine, an amino acid which increases human growth hormone, the hormone that can help regenerate the ligaments, tendons, cartilage and muscles surrounding your joints. They are also loaded with ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid), another type of omega-3 which gets rid of stiffness and inflammation, helping improve mobility. I also recommend doing the same with Brazil nuts, as these are rich in selenium which improves the quality of cartilage proteins in the bones and the joints.
8. Moringa Powder
Moringa is a tree which grows in warm climates like India, and has some of the most nutrient dense leaves in the world. These contain 15 times more potassium than bananas, and 7 times more vitamin C than oranges. Both of these are key nutrients to reduce inflammation, stiffness and to heal joint problems. You can eat these fresh, or take 1tsp of the powdered form in a glass of water daily, to rapidly improve mobility in your joints and get rid of pain.
7. Thyme & Oregano
When you have rheumatoid arthritis, it means your body is attacking its own tissues, leading to joint damage. However, if you consume certain herbs like fresh thyme, rosemary and oregano, these can help to modulate your immune system, and prevent your body from attacking the joints. These herbs contain thymol, carvacrol and Rosmarinic acid which have all been shown to block leukotrienes (B4). Leukotrienes are agents in your body that cause inflammation, so lowering them by eating these herbs helps to turn off the inflammatory response.
6. Black Seed Oil
You can take 1tsp of black seed oil every morning to help get rid of joint pain. It contains a powerful compound called thymoquinone which also helps to fight off rheumatoid arthritis, and also lower inflammation in the joints. As a side note It’s also excellent for fighting off bacteria and viruses to keep you free of cold and flu.
5. Avocados
Start eating at least 1/2 an avocado every single day to see some major improvements in your pain and mobility. Being one of the most nutrient dense foods in the world, avocados are rich in potassium and magnesium, two key minerals to focus on when fixing joint pain. The Vitamin E and boron in avocados has also been shown to help treat osteoarthritis by stimulating the growth of cartilage cells.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Start consuming 1tbsp apple cider vinegar, in a glass of water before each meal. This “miracle liquid” is undoubtably one of the best remedies in the world for joint pain. It helps to strengthen the Ph. Of your stomach, so that you can absorb more minerals, collagen and amino acids that are needed to strengthen your joints.
3. Cherries
Cherries contain a wide range of antioxidants that can help to control arthritis and reduce pain, especially anthocyanins. People with arthritis often drink concentrated cherry juice. This can help to lower uric acid for those with gout, and can also reduce stiffness throughout your body. Please make sure that you choose a brand which contains no added sugar, as the sugar can have the opposite effect.
2. Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous Salad Vector (THE DON) If you want to completely heal your joints, you’ll need to be consuming lots of leafy green cruciferous vegetables on a daily basis, Such as kale, collard greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts, arugula and spinach. These vegetables are rich in potassium and carotenoids which are some of the most important for lowering inflammation in the joints. Eating these helps to prevent free radical damage to your cells and tissues. Make sure that you consume your vegetables raw or very lightly steamed, as cooking and heat can kill off many of their live enzymes that your body needs to heal.
1. Turmeric & Black pepper
Turmeric is a golden coloured spice contains an active ingredient called curcumin. Curcumin has proven to be one of the most effective anti-inflammatory agents in the world, especially for pains, aches and joint problems. You can use turmeric powder in curries, stews or you can boil it to make a herbal tea. Adding a pinch of ground black pepper, which contains piperine, helps your body absorb curcumin by an additional 2000% to lower inflammation.
