Arthritis and Joint Pain

 Although my previous trainings in GYM after my 8 days of intensive skiing I have knee joint pain, tenderness and stiffness due to an inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis symptoms vary from person to person. There are many different types of arthritis; osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus. Many inflammatory forms of arthritis are autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system turns against the body it's designed to protect for unknown reasons. In some forms genetics plays a small role in that. There seems to be a few symptoms that many people with various forms of the condition commonly experience.

·      joint pain

·      tenderness

·      stiffness

·      inflammation around the joints and

·      restricted movement of the joints

In this article I recommend herbs to ease inflammation and pain. One of the greatest things you can do for pain is that increase your intake of essential fatty acids.

Stinging nettle is an excellent herb for those with all types of arthritis and gout. It contains protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, boron, silicon, beta-carotene, along with vitamins A,C, D, and B complex. It has anti-inflammatory, pain relieving effects and it helps to build strong bones.

Turmeric is an extremely effective anti-inflammatory herb and thus an effective pain reliever. It contains curcumin and curcuminoids, which decreases inflammation.

Try to include two tablespoons of flaxseeds or flaxseed oil in your daily diet. It is a good source of omega3 fatty acids, which is important to a strong immune system and for fighting inflammation.

Burdock is an anti-inflammatory substitute, which contains fatty oils, sterols and tannins.  You can drink burdock tea.

Licorice acts much like your body's own natural corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation. Licorice decreases free radicals at the site of inflammation and inhibits the enzyme production that's involved in the inflammatory process. Consume licorice tea as your remedy. If you have blood pressure issues forget this remedy please.

Recommendation for the Last Day of Winter

Tomorrow spring will start officially.  In this part of Middle- Europe the weather  has  turned wintery; it is cold and snowing all day.  Superfoods are loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, and immune-boosting powers that your body needs to power itself through cold weather.

Adding a little dark chocolate to your diet is a great health booster. The sweet contains flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that helps to fight against cancer and cardiovascular disease. The thermogenic property of ginger in your ginger tea keeps you warm. Hot soups containing pumpkin or sweet potatoes or squash seasoned with hot chilli heat you up when things get cold. These vegetables contain beta-carotene, an antioxidant, vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. Chilli pepper in your soup holds a compound called capsaicin, which gives to it a spicy kick. It also boosts metabolism and fights the build up of fat.

Eating Brussels sprouts may just help you fight a cold. In addition to being packed with fibre, cancer-fighting phytonutrients and they are also high in vitamin C. Roasted apples with walnuts and cinnamon is good healthy snack any time of year, that provides fibre, antioxidant, vitamin C, water and omega 3 fatty acids.

Diet While Having Flu

A well-sustained immune system enhances your body to flight infection. During flu pick time your diet should contain great variety of colourful fruits and vegetables, legumes, fish and lean meat. These foods contain phytochemicals, which boost your health.

If you have flu you should focus on eating foods that improve your immune system, so you can recover quickly. Flu is caused by viral infection and ginger is a natural anti-viral, so it helps to fight off illness. Ginger has been used for centuries to relieve a sore throat and loosen up congestion due to a cold.

Consuming grapefruits, oranges, lemons and lime enhances your immune system.  Also minerals like selenium and zinc keep your immune system durable. The following protein- rich foods contain these minerals meat, nuts, beans, seeds, eggs, dairy and fish. Vitamin B12 a powerful immune booster, you can get it by eating meat, fish, eggs and milk.

Throughout having flu you need to drink plenty of liquid. The grandmother’s chicken soup contains valuable nutrients; proteins, vegetables `and liquid.  So go for it!

Once you recovered from flu fill your diet with fruits, vegetables, legumes, eggs and lean meat to get your health back to strong again.

Eta Mama’s Chicken Soup

This chicken soup contains proteins, vegetables and lemon.

Ingredients for 4 persons:

Chicken breast cubed	2
Carrots chopped	3
Parsnips chopped	2
Celeriac sticks chopped	2
Tomato chopped	1
Green pepper chopped	1/2
Garlic chopped	3 cloves
Salt	Up to taste
Tarragon	1 tsp
Bay leaves	3
Freshly squeezed lemon juice	1
Water	1litre
Butter	1 tbsp

·      Place the chicken breast cubes in 500ml water season it with salt and pepper cook it for 30 minutes.

·      Melt the butter in a medium size soup dish

·      Add the vegetables and stir them for 5 minutes

·      Pour 500 ml water, season it with salt, tarragon and bay leaves

·      Add the cooked chicken soup

·      Cook the soup for 15 minutes

·      Finally add the lemon juice and serve it