Osteoarthritis (OA) is a form of a degenerative arthritis characterized by a functional or structural failure of one or more of the joints of the body. It is the most common form of arthritis and also a common disease among people all throughout the world in all population groups. However, several factors like age, gender, genetics, behavioral influences and ethnicity play a role in osteoarthritis risk.

It occurs equally among men and women; however, women tend to develop the symptoms of the disorder earlier than men. This often happens in women older than 45 years. Ligaments, which bind joints together, tend to become less elastic as people age, that’s why 70 to 90% of people 75 years old and up are the ones most commonly affected by osteoarthritis.

Even after years of research, no one has truly been able to define the root cause of OA. It still remains a mystery as to why particular joints are affected by osteoarthritis even if it has not suffered any injury. However, one primary cause of osteoarthritis is aging. As people age, the protein makeup of the cartilage of the joints slowly degenerate and deteriorate. In advanced cases, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion between the bones of the joints that causes friction. Continuous use of worn joints can irritate the cartilage that causes joint pains and even limitation of joint mobility. Not only elderly people are in danger, but also athletes and laborers, may develop osteoarthritis in their later years.

In the United Kingdom, osteoarthritis is one of the most popular type of osteoarthritis in adults affecting almost 8 million people, where women are most prone to develop the condition compared to men. It affects the spine, knees and hips in the elderly and middle-aged people, causing pains and disability.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis vary from patient to patient. Daily activities and movements become more and more difficult as signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis develop. Some of them are as follows:

• Pain in the affected area
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Limitation of mobility (in severe cases)

The only difference of osteoarthritis among other types of arthritis is that it does not affect any organ of the body, only joint pains with repetitive use. There can be swelling and creaking of the affected joints (crepitus). However, for severe cases, the cartilage cushion is completely lost and pain during rest and in motion is experienced, therefore limiting a person’s mobility.

Garlic against hip osteoarthritis

A relationship between body weight and osteoarthritis has been previously recognized, and although it is not completely understood yet, studies have been conducted in order to find out if dietary patterns could probably have a certain effect on the development and prevention of the condition. A study of researchers at the King’s College London and University of East Anglia also found out that women who consume a diet rich in allium, such as vegetables in the form of leeks, onions, and garlic, have lower incidence of cases of hip osteoarthritis. The study was published in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders . Professor Ian Clark of University of East Anglia said that with further work and studies, this may open up a possibility of treating future cases of osteoarthritis with diet or dietary supplements.

The study of the research team involved looking at 1000 healthy female twins with no symptoms of osteoarthritis. They monitored the twins’ diet patterns, and later discovered early signs of osteoarthritis in the participants’ spine, knees and hips. They found out that those who consume a healthy diet, especially with allium rich garlic, had fewer incidence of hip osteoarthritis.

Furthermore, another research was conducted on the compounds in garlic and found out that it contains diallyl disulphide which decreases the amounts of enzymes that causes damage to the cartilage. The lead author of the Department of Twin Research at King’s College London, Dr. Frances Williams, said that these findings may pave the way for future osteoarthritis treatment as well as aid in the prevention of hip osteoarthritis. The study was funded by Arthritis Research UK, the Wellcome Trust and Dunhill Medical Trust.

Health Benefits of Garlic

We all think that garlic’s only use is to add flavor to our meals. It may be, but that’s not all. Garlic is widely known as a “cure-all” herb because of the wide range of health benefits it gives our body. While consuming garlic has been associated with foul breaths, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages of garlic consumption.

Benefits of garlic are listed as follows:

• It can help in the normalization of body functions.
• Garlic can help stimulate white blood cells that strengthen the immune system.
• It also helps the person avoid cardiovascular diseases. It has been known for its effects on people with high blood pressure which is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack and diabetes.
• It helps in the treatment and management of patients with tuberculosis; as a lung decongestant; those with weak digestion; inhibits tumor-formation and platelets clumping; fights off influenza virus; prevent vaginal infection; in the management of nicotine poisoning as well as in diabetes mellitus.

Aside from pure garlic, garlic supplement may also do the job. The Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract™ is a great choice for garlic supplements since it gives the benefit of promoting cholesterol health and healthy cardiovascular function without the odor and discomforts that other garlic supplement brings. I am using Kyolic and I highly recommend the use of this brand.

Natural Means to Prevent Osteoarthritis

Everything in our body starts and ends with proper diet, nutrition and exercise. The best way to avoid osteoarthritis is by being cautious and careful of our daily diet and by keeping the body healthy and fit.

Exercising and taking proper diet, especially calcium, may reduce the risk of osteoarthritis. Make sure that the daily intake of food consists of the proper nutrients that one needs – not too much and not too less. It is observed that people who consume a healthy diet are less affected by this condition.

Taking proper precaution of the body while young, especially when indulging in hard physical activities, is the best way to avoid osteoarthritis. The daily intake of healthy foods must be coupled with the proper amount of exercise to help exercise the body’s muscles, without straining it too much. If continuous pain is experienced, consult the doctor as soon as possible, after all, early treatment and prevention is still the best way to prevent it from developing.

Sources
natural-homeremedies.com
revolutionhealth.com
emedicinehealth.com
medicinenet.com
eurekalert.org
ehealthmd.com
kyolicgarlic.com