When it comes to natural remedies for arthritis pain relief we usually think about joint health supplements such as glucosamine tablets or collagen capsules. Whilst both of these supplements can be very beneficial to joint and cartilage health, they are not the only option when it comes to increasing personal mobility.

An often over-looked method of managing arthritis is to look at the diet of the sufferer.  It is widely accepted that particular eating habits can help with arthritis treatment – and we shouldn’t discount the benefit of a healthy diet to over-weight arthritis sufferers. Switching diet from one that contains high amounts of animal proteins and processed foods to a diet that is similar to a vegan diet can help treat arthritis.  Foods such as red meats, cheeses, eggs and other rich dairy products etc. can be replaced by nuts, whole grains and fruits and vegetables.

Arthritis remedies that involve a reduction in swelling are always beneficial too.  Ice packs applied to affected joints is a proven method to reduce pain and swelling.  However,  you should also be aware that icing a joint can often lead to the joint stiffening and becoming less flexible.  It is because of this that icing of an arthritic joint is usually suggested at the end of the day.

Heat treatment is an alternative which can naturally help an arthritic joint.  Heat works the opposite way to ice meaning the best time to use a heat pack is at the start of the day.  After the joints have stiffened during the night a warm heat pack can often loosen you up and give more mobility for the rest of the day.

It might appear counter-intuitive, but exercise is also a proven remedy for arthritis.  Of course your ability to do this may be affected by your level of arthritis.  Without exercise the bones and joints quickly stiffen and become less mobile. For this reason upon diagnosis of arthritis an appropriate exercise regime should be undertaken as early as possible. Finishing off your exercise with a nice massage using soothing oils can also give that extra bit of comfort and relief.

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When talking about weight loss supplements there is an old school remedy that is often missed – Cider Vinegar. We’re all guilty of looking for the next weight loss mega supplement or fad, and sometimes this leads us to forget about the old faithful. The beauty about cider vinegar is that you might well have some already in your own cupboard, and if not you can always choose the popular apple cider vinegar tablets.

So exactly how does apple cider vinegar assist with your weight loss? The fact is, no one really knows for certain. Scientific studies have not been able to categorically prove anything with regards cider vinegar and its connection to weight loss. The reason to give cider vinegar a try is mainly down to previous results in tests and of previous and current users who have lost weight thanks to it.

There are a  some theories as to why cider vinegar helps in weight loss. It is believed that it speeds up a person’s natural metabolism, making our body digest and change food into energy quicker. Others have reported that cider vinegar actively burns the calories in your body to help you shift weight. Meanwhile other reports say that cider vinegar supports cleansing of the liver, an organ that can have a big impact on weight loss.

One recent experiment demonstrated that taking cider vinegar with or right before a meal can help you feel more full, and thus control eating habits. The test was a very small one, but the results looked very good. Admittedly Cider vinegar weight loss still has to be tested more before we can be sure just how much it helps. There’s evidence that ancient Egyptians used cider vinegar for weight loss, and with other evidence of its effect it seems to have a lot going for it!

There are a couple of different ways that cider vinegar can be used in your weight loss program. The simplest method is to add a small amount of cider vinegar to a glass of water or juice, and drink it with a meal. Alternatively you can buy apple cider vinegar tablets or capsules that, as per their name, have cider vinegar in them. Some of these supplements contain other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6 and lecithin, which may have more effect than cider vinegar alone.

Aside from weight loss properties, cider vinegar is extremely healthy for you. It is naturally potent in vitamins and minerals, and can assist with a number of medical problems and improve your general health. For example, cider vinegar contains potassium, which helps reduce blood pressure. It also contains fibre, which can absorb the cholesterol that can lead to  heart disease. Those are just a few examples of health issues it helps with – there are more such as help with digestion, sore throats, arthritis pain and even diabetes.

Despite all the benefits of using cider vinegar for weight loss, it has some down sides as well. The most important thing to watch out for is that cider vinegar is very acidic, meaning it can burn and damage your teeth, mouth or throat. It is very important that you dilute cider vinegar in water or juice before drinking it. As with any supplement or remedy always contact your doctor before trying cider vinegar if you have any serious medical conditions.

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As with other super fruits or superfoods, proponents of mangosteen juice and mangosteen capsules believe that it may cure everything from cancer to bacterial infections.  Users also say that it can decrease the pain and inflammation caused from arthritis.  There are over 100 different types of arthritic conditions but the majority of individuals refer to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis as the two major groups.

Mangosteen is rich in vitamins and minerals including vitamin B-1, B-2, B6, calcium, potassium and iron.  It is also packed with antioxidants that assist in fighting free radicals in the body linked to heart disease and cancer, as well as being a good source of xanthones.  Researchers have found that xanthones have a potent anti-inflammatory effect in the body which may be linked to the positive effects found arthritis pain relief.

While there have been no major studies on humans to prove that drinking the mangosteen juice on a daily basis would offer significant improvement, researchers have found that it’s daily dosages of antioxidants and vitamins will improve the ability of the body’s immune system to fight the disease. Such properties also improve the body’s ability to absorb other vitamins and minerals essential to to overall health.

Mangosteen offers the user an incredibly powerful antioxidant fruit cocktail which helps the body to remain healthy.  And, while there have been no major studies on humans to prove the effects of mangosteen juice in the treatment of arthritis, there have been significant case studies that point researchers to the possibility of improved overall health and decreased pain and inflammation.

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As with many modern day superfoods the health benefits associated with Mangosteen range from anything between cancer to simple infections. What is more certain however is it’s anti-inflammatory properties and ability to help arthritis sufferers. This is a significant reason for the rise in the popularity of health supplements such as pure mangosteen capsules.Mangosteen has many beneficial characteristics, being rich in vitamins and minerals – especially vitamins B-1, B-2, B6, calcium, potassium and iron. Like most super-foods it is also a potent anti-oxidant, helping to fight off free radicals which attack the body. What is important in the case of arthritis though is that Mangosteen is an excellent source of xanthones, the cause of the powerful anti-inflammatory effect which aids arthritis pain relief. Research also indicates that the aforementioned presence of anti-oxidants and vitamins will help the body to absorb other vital nutrients which assist in self-healing and health promotion.To summarise Mangosteen provides a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory cocktail to help you keep a healthy and pain free body. Research indicates that the properties of the Mangosteen fruit can improve overall health and decrease pain and inflammation. As mentioned in a previous post though it is probably easier if you consume Mangosteen as a juice or supplement – otherwise you will be in need of climbing apparatus, a sharp knife and likely a long haul flight.

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For millennia natives of the South Pacific have been aware of the natural health and well being benefits of the Mangosteen fruit which,despite the inference from the name, has absolutely nothing to do with mangos. This edible fruit with a deep reddish purple colour has been shown to have healing health benefits in the treatment of  arthritis, acid dyspepsia, fybromyalgia, asthma, otitis externa and eczema. There is also evidence to suggest that it is effective in preventing acne.

All of this is very well if you happen to have a mangosteen tree holed up in the back garden. The problem is unless you live in Thailand or Hawaii the chances are you do not. Luckily with the realisation of the goodness available from this fruit, it is now available as a mangosteen health supplement from many health stores. Supplements come mainly in the form of juices and supplements which is slightly more convenient than a long haul flight with a machete stuffed down your pants. We’ll be discussing more on the health benefits of Mangosteen supplements in the coming days.

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