Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of the entire joint involving the cartilage, joint lining, ligaments, and underlying bone. The breakdown of these tissues eventually leads to pain and joint stiffness. The joints most commonly affected are the knees, hips, and those in the hands and spine.
I was taught that the specific causes of OA are unknown. It is speculated that this is an inevitable result of both mechanical and molecular events in the affected joint. Disease onset is gradual and usually begins after the age of 40. There is currently no cure for OA.
Standard Treatment for Osteoarthritis
Standard treatment for OA focuses on relieving symptoms and improving function, and can include a combination of patient education, physical therapy, weight control, use of medications, and eventually total joint replacement.
There is no doubt that wear and tear occurs in our world. When we think of our cars, maintaining them with regular oil changes and inspection and filling of the mechanical joints where grease is contained will keep the vehicle working better. It won’t however, stop the damage from friction.
Repair Joint Damage with WFPBD
Our bodies have a superior edge to the mechanical joints we make. Our bodies are alive and can repair damage – something a car cannot do. If you eat foods with high nutrients (i.e. a whole foods plant based diet, WFPBD) your body will work better, including repairing damage to your joints.
Additionally, Newton’s second law of motion F=ma (force equals mass times acceleration) dictates that the higher the mass and acceleration, the higher the force. The higher the force the more damage can occur in a joint. In case you haven’t guessed where I’m going, the more you weigh, the more damage – with any weight bearing activity (standing, walking, running, etc). A WFPBD will make it more likely that you will be at an ideal body weight.
To learn more, check out the links below!
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/arthritis, “Arthritis: Reduce Arthritis Pain with a Plant-Based Diet”
Delve into these articles on, https://nutritionfacts.org/?s=Arthritis+Plant+Based+Diet