A quick Internet search finds dozens of homeopathic remedies for arthritis, plus a big list of physical techniques or procedures, each claiming to provide the best natural arthritis pain relief. No doubt that some of these methods might provide some temporary comfort, but many end up being dangerous in and of themselves, or have side effects that are no better than what you’d suffer with chemical medications. However, one natural treatment for arthritis appears repeatedly, with the endorsement of doctors and arthritis herbal remedy enthusiasts alike: Flaxseed.
The Problem.
Over 46 million adults in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis, and as the population ages, that number is expected to reach 67 million by 2030. Even the most mild forms cause a swelling of the joints and discomfort, but as the disease progresses, patients can find themselves living with near-constant pain, or even losing joint function altogether in some areas. It’s great that modern medical science allows people to live much longer, but if they spend those extra years in pain brought on by arthritis, then the quality of that life is severely affected.
The Cause.
Rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most commonly-suffered forms of arthritis, is caused by an autoimmune defect: Basically, the body attacks normal tissue as if it were pathogenic. The obvious symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are a painful stiffness in the joints and disfiguring nodules that form beneath the skin. But as it progresses, joint inflammation starts breaking down the cartilage that cushions the bones, destroying the joint surface and causing permanent deformity of the joints … not to mention a great deal more pain.
The Treatment.
Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis is incurable; all that modern medicine can do is treat the symptoms and try to stop the disease from damaging the joints any further. So doctors end up prescribing expensive drugs and steroids that bring with them a whole host of unpleasant side effects – from hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, to osteoporosis, anxiety, depression, hypertension, hair loss, erectile dysfunction and an increased risk of birth defects. An ever-growing number of people prefer to avoid these kinds of side effects (not to mention the many other dangers associated with introducing unnatural chemicals into the body) by using safer, more natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis. The best of them is flaxseed.
Why Flaxseed?
Along with its many other benefits, flaxseed is high in essential fatty acids like omega-3s, linked by medical experts to lower levels of inflammation in those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Essential fatty acids help the body produce prostaglandins, which act as anti-inflammatory, hormone-like molecules that contribute to optimal joint health. Since the body doesn’t make essential fatty acids on its own, they have to be obtained through foods or nutritional supplements.
The best way to stock up on essential fatty acids is flaxseed, which contains six times as many omega-3s as most fish oils, without the risk of mercury or other heavy-metals poisoning that fish consumption brings with it. But don’t take our word for it: A study cited in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that subjects who took flaxseed oil every day averaged a 30% reduction in chronic inflammation, resulting in greater relief from pain and joint degradation. That seems to make flaxseed the ideal arthritis natural remedy.
