There are many reasons for joint pains and following the Diet for the Good Life found in my book Optimum Nutrition made easy is the place to start for reducing symptoms. Weight management supported by a balanced diet and exercise is key to preventing and managing joint pains. However, exercise may need to be addressed at a later stage due to pain.
Vitamin B6 supplementation has been shown to help painful nodules on finger joints if treated early. Vitamin B6, like all B vitamins, is best taken as part of a B complex. Vitamin B6, B3, biotin, and vitamin C, plus the minerals zinc, calcium and magnesium, all play an important role in helping essential fats create anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. The omega-3 fat EPA has potent anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce the inflammation that contributes to joint pain.
Food intolerance may become more prevalent at the menopause and can be a cause or contributor to joint pains with wheat and dairy produce being the most common offenders. Too much red meat and full-fat dairy produce help to create too much of a type of prostaglandin that in excess increases inflammation in the body. Culinary herbs like turmeric and ginger, as well as red onions and olives also contain natural inflammatories.
Progesterone has anti-inflammatory properties. My book ‘Say No to Arthritis’ (Piatkus) explains everything you can do to banish joint aches and pains, including the role of supplements containing glucosamine and potent natural anti-inflammatories. Dr John Lee found with many of his patients that rubbing bio-identical natural progesterone cream directly on the joint or tissue that hurts was helpful.
Patrick Holford is a leading light in new approaches to health and nutrition. He’s one of Britains best-selling nutrition writers, with over 1 million books sold in 30 countries and in 15 different languages. To find out more about him, and his work please visit www.patrickholford.com