12 April 2015
12 April 2015, Comments: 0

One of These a Day May Keep the Joint Surgeon Away

Proper nutrition is part of the treatment program to battle osteoarthritis. Along with physical activity and nutritional supplements, proper eating may help keeping the joints healthy. Sulforaphane is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts and cabbage and particularly plentiful in broccoli. This compound has been found to reduce inflammation and decrease the degradation of joint cartilage which occurs in arthritis (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/art.38133/abstract).  Starting with studies on mice, researchers have found that animals who ate a diet rich on sulforaphane had significantly less cartilage damage and signs of osteoarthritis than mice who did not consume the compound. Then, researchers started looking at cow cartilage and human cartilage and found sulforaphane to also offer protection of cartilage by blocking enzymes which were active in causing inflammation. Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of osteoarthritis. Avoiding foods that may promote inflammation, like carbohydrates and highly processed foods, and eating foods that help fight inflammation, like cruciferous vegetables should be part of the medical advice given to patients at risk for osteoarthritis.

A good diet, nutritional supplements, and a regular exercise program may help protect against the development of osteoarthritis and may be a key in preventing joint surgeries. But, if arthritis occurs, then, regenerative medicine therapies offer a safe, effective non-surgical alternative for treatment.

To learn more about non-surgical alternatives to joint replacement surgeries go to: www.dontoperate.com .

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