By medical nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer, an expert in food, herbs and supplements

Over 10 million people consult their GP each year for painful joints, especially problems affecting the back, knee or hip. If you are experiencing joint pain, one of the most effective things you can do is to lose any excess weight.

For every additional pound of fat you carry, the overall force across your knees, when walking or standing, increases by two to three pounds. So, if you are 10 pounds overweight, the force on your knees increases by up to 30 pounds.

Losing weight doesn’t just reduce the load your joints have to bear; it also reduces the level of inflammatory chemicals circulating in your body that can increase the level of joint damage experienced. As a result, overweight people who lost 5kg in weight were shown to halve their risk of developing of knee osteoarthritis over the next 10 years.

What supplements can help?
A wide range of supplements have beneficial effects on joint health.

Glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, hyaluronic acid and MSM provide building blocks for cartilage repair. Glucosamine and chondroitin also act as biological signals to switch on the repair of joint tissues, and to suppress the breakdown of cartilage.

Omega-3 fish oils, including those found in cod liver oil, green-lipped mussel extracts and krill oil promote the production of anti-inflammatory chemicals that help to reduce joint pain. Krill oil also contains a powerful antioxidant, astaxanthin, and marine phospholipids for additional effects.

Celadrin contains cetylated fatty acids that help to reduce inflammation, and may improve the flexibility and resilience of cell membranes within joints.

Vitamins A, C, E and selenium act as antioxidants to damp down inflammation in joints. Vitamin C is also essential for the production of collagen, an important structural protein within joints.

Vitamin D appears to reduce the progression of osteoarthritis through effects on cartilage metabolism.

Amongst the herbs, bromelain, ginger, rose hip, turmeric and Devil’s Claw have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory action to help reduce joint pain and swelling.

NB: Always seek medical advice if you have persistent joint pain, especially if it is associated with other symptoms such as tiredness, lack of energy, weight loss, fever, night sweats or inflammation elsewhere in the body, such as the eyes.

About Dr Sarah Brewer
Dr Sarah Brewer is a medical nutritionist and an expert in food, herbs and supplements. She qualified from Cambridge University with degrees in Natural Sciences, Medicine and Surgery. After working in general practice, she gained a Master’s degree in Nutritional Medicine. Sarah is a licensed medical doctor, a registered nutritionist and a registered nutritional therapist.

Subscribe to her newsletter to get a FREE 46-page PDF Do You Need A MultiVitamin? at nutritionupdates.subscribemenow.com.

For more information on diet and supplements, visit Dr Sarah Brewer’s Nutritional Medicine website at www.DrSarahBrewer.com and her reviews of glucosamine products and pain-relieving creams and gels at www.ExpertHealthReviews.com