SLOW osteoarthritis progression by 50%?
Slows progression, reduces pain, improves function
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage between your bones wears down.
There are no drugs that can stop this process—or even slow it down, for that matter.
But there IS something you can do to help slow the progression of this condition by up to 50 percent.
The bonus?
It can also reduce pain, improve joint function, and even help you sleep better in the process.
Hands down, the best way to manage or even improve your osteoarthritis symptoms is to lose weight.
People with a BMI between 30-35 are five times more likely to have knee arthritis.
Obese individuals have a lifetime risk for hand osteoarthritis of 47 percent, compared to 11 percent in those not overweight.
Being overweight also increases inflammation, which is an underlying factor in joint pain.
This makes perfect sense, since carrying around extra weight increases the load on your joints.
The good news here is that by LOSING the weight, you can experience significant improvements in pain and function.
Here, I want to highlight four key reasons why losing weight is the best thing you can do if you’re suffering from osteoarthritis.
- It can delay disease progression.
One study showed that losing just 10 pounds decreased the progression of knee osteoarthritis by 50 percent.
In another review of studies, losing 11 pounds over a 10-year period decreased the likelihood of developing symptomatic knee OA by 50 percent.
- It can reduce pain levels.
A study published in JAMA found that losing 10 percent of your body weight significantly improved pain levels. Those who also dieted and exercised saw the most improvement in pain and function.
- It boosts joint function.
In another JAMA study, researchers saw that losing weight improved joint function by improving the mechanical pressure inside and around the knee joints.
- It reduces inflammation.
Inflammation is a big factor in osteoarthritis pain. It’s a double-edged sword because it seems to be both a risk factor for OA and a consequence of it.
Obesity itself increases inflammation, which only fans the flame of joint pain.
The good news is that losing weight significantly reduces your body’s inflammatory response.
