Healthy bones

According to ayurveda persons who have healthy bones and skeletal system are known as "asthi sarapurusha". These persons will have strong bones, teeth and nails. They will be very strong, active and enthusiastic.
Minerals like Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium along with protein and collagen help to build bones. Vitamin D is needed to make bones strong. Hormonal imbalances, increased intake of proteins, salt and stimulants interrupt bone building. Stress and prescription drugs also disrupt the process of bone building. Deficiency of these nutrients leads to osteoporosis, inflammation of joints (arthritis) and painful joints. Dificiency of vitamin D leads to painful joints, stiff neck, hairloss and bone loss.

• Exposing skin to sunrays makes vitamin D available to body. Oysters, cottage cheese and eggs contain small amount of vitamin D.
• Vitamin C encourages collagen production. Hence adequate intake of citrus food helps to supplement Vitamin C .
• Cereals, legumes, Leafy greens and yellow, orange, and red vegetables supply good amounts of calcium.
• Dry fruits, Nuts , seeds (sunflower, black sesame and pumpkin seeds) and their oils are abundant with vitamins and minerals as well as healthy essential fatty acids such as omega-3-and-6 .
• Regular exercise helps to build strong bones and reduce calcium loss. It makes joints stronger and healthy.
• Stress reducing techniques like yoga and meditation help to reduce calcium depletion.
• Avoid excess intake of coffee, tea, cola etc.
• Try to maintain normal weight and avoid getting overweight

Sanskrit synonyms for Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)

Punarnava or Boerhavia diffusa is eulogized by ayurveda acharyas by different names owing to its medicinal properties.
It is called as Punarnava (Punar + nava). Punar means – once again, nava means - becoming new. This plant rejuvenates liver and detoxifies it. It clears the lungs and reduces cough, asthma etc. It rejuvenates male reproductive system and acts as an aphrodisiac. This increases libido, erection and quality and quantity of semen. It is used in Vajikarana preparations. It detoxifies skin and clears it of infections. This plant cleanses the kidneys and helps to get rid of renal calculi (kidney stones). Thus the plant punarnava acts on all important organ systems and rejuvenate them, giving a new life . Hence the name punarnava.
Shothagni is another synonym for Boerhavia diffusa . Shotha means inflammation. The plant which acts as an enemy of inflammation is shothagni. This plant is known to reduce inflammation in arthritis and joint pain. It is widely used in inflammation of liver, kidney and joints.

Self care for arthritis

1. In arthritis Gentle exercises like walking , yoga are helpful. Stop any exercise if joints are inflamed and painful.
2. A healthy diet which do not cause indigestion and constipation are advised. Foods which cause obesity should be avoided.
3. Weight should be controlled well.
4. Apply heat compresses to relax muscles and ease pain
5. Reduce stress by practising yoga and meditation

The following tips will help you manage gout more effectively:

The following tips will help you manage gout more effectively:
http://www.recoverymedicine.com/gout_wellness_tips.htm

Avoid purine-rich foods. Purines are found in many animal products with the exception of eggs. Organ meats (liver, heart, kidneys, sweetbreads), herring, mackerel, anchovies and trout are particularly rich sources. Broths and gravies are also to be avoided. (Beans and peas contain a moderate amount of purine and should be limited to 1-2 servings per day).

*Although a peanut is technically considered a legume, its purine content is low (less than 50 mg per 100 grams) compared to other more common legumes such as lentils, peas & beans which has 50 - 150 mg purine per 100 grams

Control your weight but avoid crash diets and rapid weight loss which can give rise to acute flare-ups.

Increase your fluid intake. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to dilute uric acid in the urine. This helps prevent the formation of kidney stones made from uric acid. Drink 2 to 3 litres (8 to 12 cups) of fluid each day. Water, herbal teas, vegetable juice, milk, unsweetened fruit juices and soup all contribute to your daily fluid intake.

Limit alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol contains purines and also interferes with the body's excretion of uric acid. Beer is particularly bad as it is rich in purines. Heavy drinking also increases body weight and blood triglycerides, two factors also implicated in the development of gout. Speak to your doctor about the use of alcohol. Moderate, drinking (one drink a day) is unlikely to increase your risk of a gout attack.

Consider vitamin B12. If you take the medication colchicine for gout, consider taking a vitamin B12 supplement, since this drug impairs the body's ability to absorb B12. Vitamin B12 is found exclusively in animal foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. With the exception of eggs and dairy produce, these foods should be limited due to their purine content. Fortified soy and rice beverages also contain B12.

Consume black cherries. Recent studies have suggested that intake of black cherries may benefit people suffering from gout (the gout preventative qualities of cherries seem to be the result of plant compounds found in cherries called anthocyanins).

Add hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds and flax seeds to your diet; these foods contain health promoting omega 3 fatty acids, to reduce joint inflammation. Increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables; cut down on foods rich in hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and animal fats (arachidonic acid), particularly fatty meats (beef, pork) and high-fat dairy products.

Celery seeds are a traditional food-based remedy that has been observed to help halt gout flare-ups

Consult your doctor / healthcare professional about new food-based non-drug supplements formulated to help improve quality of life* such as Recovery with Nutricol®. Recovery® has been developed to improve circulation to tissues, speed repair and slow or halt tissue damage.

Exercise is a natural pain reliever for arthritis

Exercise is a natural pain reliever for arthritis

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=37163
It may seem counterintuitive to exercise when suffering with joint pain, but physical activity is actually a natural pain reliever for most people suffering from arthritis.

A recent study published in Arthritis Care and Research journal concluded that regular exercise, specifically the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, is an effective course in significantly improving and managing arthritis pain. This is good news for the aging population of U.S. baby boomers who want to get back to basics with a natural remedy for pain. In fact, arthritis is projected to increase by 40 percent, affecting 67 million Americans, in the next two decades.

The in-depth study looked at the effectiveness of the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, developed in 1987 to reduce pain and stiffness by keeping joints flexible and muscles strong. Key findings of the study include participants reporting a decrease in pain and fatigue, an increase in upper and lower extremity function, and an increase in strength after participating in the basic, eight-week exercise program. Also, participants who continued the exercise program independently, beyond eight weeks, sustained improvement in reduced stiffness.

Posted By Dr.Savitha Suri
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