There have been a number of studies lately that have shed some disheartening light on the use of supplements for arthritis. Glucosamine may not be the magic pill for the regrowth of cartilage tissue, after all. Much of the relief seems to have come from the brand of faith healing known as the placebo effect. The finding has rekindled consumer skepticism regarding supplements of all stripes. This isn’t necessarily bad news, however: as the medical community begins to devote more time to studying the effects of supplements, new forms of treatment are coming to the fore. There is a greater emphasis on approaching medical problems with a full wellness and recovery program, rather than swallowing pills and hoping for the best. These findings are turning the tides of recovery by allowing the patient to take charge of pain by changing his or her lifestyle. Patients are becoming active forces in the healing process.

One of the best policies regarding supplements is to treat them as what they are. Supplements are meant to fill out our intake of vitamins and nutrients, compensating for what we lack in our diets. Don’t make unnecessary demands of your supplements, they aren’t meant to be your sole source of nutrition. On the contrary, strive to eat a nutrient-rich diet every day. You body is made to process the vitamins and minerals in food. Eating a variety of naturally colorful foods ensures that your body will run at peak performance.

Just look at the nutritional content of foods like sweet potatoes and winter squash: these are great sources of vitamins A, B, C, E, and K! Supplements are there to give you the nutrients you might have missed, like vitamin D, which doesn’t occur naturally in many foods, or B-12, which vegetarians might lack. The truth is, much of your multivitamin gets passed through your body as waste. In addition, the vitamin compounds found in whole foods are far more diverse than what you find in your nutritional supplements. Uniformity defies the body’s natural tendencies.

Don’t fall for the snake-oil pitch. If anyone tries to tell you a pill can cure what ails you, be suspicious. While supplements like vitamin D are effective at building bone mass, and zinc and echinacea are helpful in reducing the duration of colds, it is unrealistic to turn to these items alone to address your health issues. Diet, and exercise should be part of everyone’s daily wellness plan. And even with rest and fluids, a cold still needs to run its course.

You should also talk with your healthcare provider before introducing supplements to make sure you get the maximum benefit and the minimum risk. For example, fish oil may be a good anti-inflammatory supplement for those suffering from back pain or arthritis, but you may need help choosing the best brand and knowing when to take them for the greatest benefit. Calcium and vitamin D are also helpful supplements, but are most effective when combined with magnesium and fatty foods like eggs, cheese, avocadoes, or almonds. This knowledge will help ensure you’re getting the most from your supplements and not just flushing them away.

OSC is the leading orthopedic practice serving Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland including Washington D.C. OSC specializes in total joint replacement – click here for more information.

http://www.osc-ortho.com is the leading orthopedic practice serving Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland including Washington D.C. OSC specializes in total joint replacement – http://www.osc-ortho.com/services/total-joint-replacement.html

Author Bio: OSC is the leading orthopedic practice serving Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland including Washington D.C. OSC specializes in total joint replacement – click here for more information.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Doctor, Health, Treatment