Written by: Dr.Claire Arcidiacono, ND

For further questions or concerns email me at carcidiacono@invitehealth.com†

We have reached the end of our conversation on joints. In this blog series I have tried to cover the most common joint dysfunctions that can occur. In addition, I have tried to cover those treatments that are both most commonly used as well as most studied. Thus, there will be some supplements that you may have “heard on the grape vine” that were not mentioned. Feel free to ask any Invite nutritionist about them. Joint health is a complex topic that can affect everyone, including men and women as well as different age ranges. One of the points that I hoped to make in this blog series on joints is that joint disorders can vary from person to person. It is important to find out exactly what is going on in your joints so that we can give you the best recommendations possible. †

Depending on what is going on in the joints, there different treatments available. Thus, it is important to not only what is going on but what stage it is. I will be rehashing some of the most researched supplements that I have found clinically to be some of the most helpful in working with joint disorders. I will also be recommending some recipe ideas to help with inflammation! †

ICYMI:JOINT SURGERY, PART 2 & SUPPLEMENTS THAT CAN HELP POST-SURGERY.>>READ NOW!

Supplements that can help! 

1. Turmeric has been found in studies to help in autoimmune conditions by regulating inflammatory cytokines (1). Studies also have found that due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property of turmeric it is as effective as certain medications in addressing the symptoms of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. (2) This is important because as we discussed in this series there is a huge auto immune component to joint problems.  Working on the autoimmune aspect will often help with the different manifestations of the joint concern. In laymen’s terms it will help with the painful aspect of joint concerns such as osteoarthritis as well as rheumatoid arthritis.  Additionally, studies have found that turmeric has been found to help with the swelling and pain of psoriatic arthritis. (3) Please see Invite’s Biocurcumin- 5 -Loxin, Turmeric with ginger and Curcumin blend. †
2. Ginger has been found to help with both the inflammation and pain associated with autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. (4) Ginger has also been found in studies to help with the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. (5) Ginger has also been found to help with osteoarthritis pain. (5)  By reducing inflammation and moderating the immune system ginger is amazing for pain in the joints. (4)  Please see Invite’s Turmeric with Ginger†
3. Omega 3s are helpful for inflammation found in any autoimmune disease and also to help protect the brain, memory, anxiety/depression as well as the heart. (6,7) Additionally omega 3s have been found in studies to be very helpful with the pain associated with osteoarthritis. (8) Please see Invite’s Fish oil, Krill oil and Biomega!†
4. Collagen/cartilage has once again been found effective at reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis in studies! (9) Primary studies indicate that collagen may help to make beneficial changes in the quality of cartilage in osteoarthritis. (10) Collagen has been found to help with the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. (11) I like to describe collagen as the “goo” that makes us up. It is a basic part of so many systems in our bodies. But it is crucial for the joints and so it is the base for almost all of my joint health plans. Please see Invite’s Collagen Hx, Collagex HA, and Cartilage Hx.†
5. Hyaluronic acid has been found to be anti-inflammatory in studies which is helpful in so many joint concerns. (12) Additionally hyaluronic acid has been found to improve joint lubrication as well as reduce the inflammation found in osteoarthritis. (13) Please see Invite’s Hyaluronic acid with devils claw as well as Invite’s Collagex Ha. †
6. Address leaky gut – As we know leaky gut is a huge risk factor for any sort of inflammation in the body. Supplements such a probiotic (14) can be very helpful in addressing this. For more information see my digestive health series!†
7. Diet – no article on inflammatory conditions/ autoimmune would be complete without talking about diet. An anti-inflammatory diet is a must when there is any sort of autoimmune. A Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced symptoms of autoimmune disease activity (such as in Lupus and RA) as well as reducing the heart damage that is seen in those with an autoimmune condition. † (15)
8. I also suggest working with a physical therapist to determine if exercise can help with your symptoms. †

DIGESTIVE HEALTH PART 10: ANAL FISSURES, FISTULAS & LEAKY GUT>>READ NOW

RECIPES: Here are some ideas to use our products in fun ways! †

1. Jello from Scratch (16) Reds/oranges/purples jello!†

• 1½ cups (350 milliliters) fruit juice
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) cool water
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) hot water
• 1 tablespoon gelatin
• 1 to 2 cups (100 to 200 grams) fresh fruit (optional)
• Add 2 scoops Reds, Oranges or Purples Hx 
  2. Fish with vegetables (17)†
• Take one or 2 Turmeric with Ginger capsules and mix in about a tablespoon of olive oil and use this mixture to coat a piece of fish of your choice. Cook the way you like best! I like to gently bake mine at a lower temperature. Add to sautéed greens such as kale, cabbage and baby spinach.†
  3. Summer pizza! (17)†
• Use a cauliflower crust (either make one yourself or buy it for an easy cheat)
• Make a mixture of yogurt with organic greens to spread on the cauliflower crust.
• Top this with berries of your choice

4. Fill me up chocolate oatmeal. I start by cooking my oatmeal and setting it aside. This can be any oatmeal you like. Take Greek yogurt (unsweetened) and add 1 scoop of Invite whey protein, 1 scoop Cocoa Hx and mix. After mixing gently fold into your oatmeal. You can top with some sunflower seeds if you want a little crunch! †
5. Blender muffins of health (lol), with this recipe it’s not exact, feel free to have fun! I usually take 2 eggs, 2 scoops of Invite Whey protein, 1 scoop Cocoa Hx, and 1 cup raw oats. As I blend, I add enough water so that it is a muffin like consistency. Use between 1/8 cup to ¼ cup.  Scoop into a muffin pan and cook at 350 for 20 min checking to see if they are done.  Variations to this include using almond milk instead of water. As I said it is not exact and you can have fun changing things up! †

6. Green eggs I say! This is an easy way to add greens to a breakfast. Place your eggs and 1 scoop of Greens Hx in your blender. I like to add 1 scoop of Greens Hx to 2 eggs so it’s very flavorful.  Then add a big handful of baby spinach. Add any spices you like, blend until smooth. I like to cook these just like scrambled eggs. They may look interesting, but the green color is fun and perfect for certain holidays! †

I hope that I gave you some ideas on healthy eating. There is no right way or wrong way to make a recipe. If you have an idea, try it! If it’s good, yay! If it’s bad, you know for next time :-)†

Now that we are done with joints, we will be moving on to our next topic soon! †

REFERENCES

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17569223/
2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2020.1850417?journalCode=bfsn20
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7750830/#:~:text=Practical%20Applications&text=This%20study%20found%20that%20acupuncture,joints%20afflicted%20with%20psoriatic%20arthritis.
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7137811/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11710709/
6. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/17-health-benefits-of-omega-3#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12480795/
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pcm/articles/PCM3963282/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30368550/
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21251991/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9485087/
12. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0144861721010869#:~:text=As%20a%20critical%20component%20of,%2Dlike%20receptors%20(TLRs).
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5814393/
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3864899/
15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32594173/
16. https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Jello
17. This recipe was made with the help of nutritionist Allison Might