Top 3 Medicine Cabinet Hacks for Pain
There’s one driving force that’s always behind joint pain: inflammation.
That means getting inflammation under control will always be a factor in getting rid of it!
You can do that with an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like Advil. But that comes with a laundry list of side effects even for short-term use.
OR
You can take some of nature’s potent anti-inflammatories instead. They do the job WITHOUT the risks.
Here are THREE of the best.
Turmeric
The bright orange spice turmeric contains a compound called curcumin that’s been well-studied for its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Curcumin has been specifically shown to alleviate arthritis pain.
In one study of arthritis patients, taking curcumin three times per day for a month was shown to be just as effective as daily NSAIDS at relieving arthritis symptoms.
The study found that 94 percent of those taking curcumin—and 97 percent of those taking the NSAIDS—reported at least a 50 percent improvement in symptoms.
The biggest difference was the curcumin produced fewer side effects.
If you only wanted to pick one natural anti-inflammatory to have on hand, curcumin should be it.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s have a long list of health benefits—and fighting inflammation is right up there at the top of the list.
In a study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, taking omega-3 supplements for three weeks led to significant improvements in their condition. The only significant “side effect” was strengthening the volunteer’s bone in the process.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
These are two separate compounds, but I’ve listed them together because most studies show that they work better together.
Both of these nutrients help maintain cartilage health, but you can’t get either from food.
In one study, taking glucosamine and chondroitin together was found to be as effective as the NSAID celecoxib for people with osteoarthritis.
You’ll have to do some trial and error to see which one of these natural supplements works best to tackle your inflammation and pain.
It might not solve your problem completely, but it should reduce your dependency on pharmaceutical drugs and reduce the risks you face when taking them.
And that’s always a step in the right direction.
P.S. Need more help dialing down your joint pain? This “dinner table staple” naturally combats inflammation and pain.
SOURCE:
Ball, A. (2022, September 12.) “Which Vitamins Are Good for Sore Joints?” Fit and Well. https://www.fitandwell.com/features/which-vitamins-are-good-for-sore-joints
