Natural Rxs For Sore Knees!

If you’re an occasional runner, a long distance runner or even a weightlifter make sure
to keep your knees healthy.

Why, you ask?
According to researchers, keeping your knees healthy and strong could add 5 to 10
healthy and happy years to your life.

Healthy knees adding years to one life?
Yes, most people know that a healthy heart is important, but so are your knees, why?
Because when your knees feel great, you’re more likely to engage in physical
activity that’ll keep you active, fit and healthy, plus you’ll avoid the painful falls
and injuries that can take years off of your life.

So, if you’re a runner, walker or recreational basketball player and you want to
keep those knees in tiptop shape use the simple (food and supplement) tips
listed below.

a) A Cup of Tea, Please-
If you’re a coffee drinker, and experiencing knee pain, you may want to switch to
green tea. Green tea and lemon to be exact. Drink 2 cups of green tea daily,
and you’ll boost the tissue-nourishing compounds called phenolics, and these
compounds cut your risk of knee swelling and stiffness by 25%.
And to make the green tea more effective, add some fresh lemon juice.
The acid in lemons latch onto the phenolics, tripling the absorption of these knee-
soothing compounds.

b) Onions-
Onions like most foods offer you a host of healthful benefits and if painful
arthritis is something you deal with on a daily basis, eat more onions.
Eating them raw or lightly cooked, onions could cut your risk of that
painful condition by as much as 45%. Onions contain selenium and sulfur,
two nutrients that help form shock-absorbing cartilage.
Also helpful, broccoli is also loaded with sulfur and 2 Brazil nuts daily
will provide you with selenium.

c) Good Fats-
Another win for plant fats, you know fats like coconut or olive oil, avocados,
nuts and seeds reduces knee pain by 20% or more.
“Good fats” help switch off an inflammation-triggering enzyme that could
otherwise cause tissue damage.
Important tip: Remember to go easy on the olive or coconut oil and
keep seeds and nuts to 1 or 2 Tbs. per day. Yes, they’re good for your knees,
controlling appetite and your heart, but they’re fats and that means calories.

d) Peppers-
If you enjoy pepper steak, or stir-fried vegetables with onions and peppers
or a nice tomato sauce with onions and peppers, continue to indulge, your
knees will thank you. Bell peppers contain a special nutrient called
(beta-cryptoxanthin) that can slow joint aging considerably.
And slow joint aging keeps your knee cartilage strong and healthy.
Aim for a cup or two of (any color) bell peppers weekly.

e) The Great Outdoors-
If you’re a regular here, then you’re probably aware of the number of the
posts that recommend getting some sunlight on your body, and today,
it’s all about sunlight and knee pain. If you injured or twisted your knee
and want a speedier recovery, sit outside (under the Sun) for 25 to 30 mins.
Vitamin D, a nutrient your skin makes when it’s exposed to the sun-is very
important for repairing damaged knee cartilage and tendon tears.
Not able to get outside? Ask your doctor to recommend a good vitamin D-3
supplement. Aim for 3,000 to 4,000 IUs each day.

f) An Indian Herb-
The people of India may have been the first healers and to stop knee problems
from growing into something more serious, take the Indian herb called Boswellia.
It’s such a powerful anti-inflammatory, it can improve flexibility and end soreness
as effectively as any doctor-prescribed pain med.
Look for Boswellia ( recommended dose 600 mg. to 1200 mg. per day)
at any health food store, GNC or go online to Amazon.com.
And make sure to check in with your doctor before taking it.

g) Preventive Medicine-
To avoid knee pain in the first place is always wise and if you’re a walker,
make sure to walk for 30 to 40 mins. then cool down by doing 30 seconds of
toe touches and simple stretches. Doing this cuts your risk of future knee pain
in half.

h) A Side Dish To Protect Your Knees-
Buy a bag of onions at your grocery store or farmers’ market and use them
to prevent future knee problems and protect them as well.
The Side Dish: Ratatouille-Stuffed Onions!
This vegetarian side dish is made with nuts, onions, mushrooms, green squash
and bell peppers.
Ingredients:
4 white or yellow onions
2 Tbs. of extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup of green or red bell pepper (diced)
1 cup of zucchini, (thinly sliced)
1/2 cup of white button or cremini mushrooms
1/4 cup of pine nuts
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup of white wine
1/2 tsp. of salt
1/2 tsp. of pepper
1/2 tsp.of garlic powder
1/2 tsp. of dried rosemary
1 tsp. of thyme
1 cup of chopped tomatoes
2 cups of shredded low-fat mozzarella or Cheddar cheese
To make:
Preheat oven to 400*F. Peel onions, halve crosswise and scoop out
centers (leaving 1/2″ shells) Chop onion centers. Place onion halves,
cut side up in baking pan; add water to pan until half of the height
of the onions. Cover bake for 40 mins. Drain well. Raise temperature to
425*f. In pan, heat oil over medium heat and saute the chopped onions
with bell peppers, squash, mushrooms and pine nuts, for 4 to 5 mins.
Add the tomato paste, wine, seasonings, and chopped tomatoes. Simmer
until blended and tender (about 7 to 10 mins.) Fill each onion half in baking
dish with 1/4 cup vegetable mixture; sprinkle on the cheese. Bake, covered
for 20 to 25 mins. Enough for 4 to 6 servings.
And one more tip: You can also use bell peppers as the veggie vessel,
just do as you would a stuffed pepper, and fill with the same ingredients
or ingredients you prefer- ground beef or turkey and green squash and
mushrooms.

Sources:
* Boston University
* The British Medical Journal
* B Positive Magazine
* Deborah Symmons, M.D.
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