Latest news with #ArthritisAction
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
‘I was diagnosed with arthritis at 27 after struggling with symptom for years'
Dasha is urging other people to speak up for their health and not just 'accept that debilitating pain is your new reality' Arthritis is a common condition encompassing over 100 different variants that triggers joint pain, inflammation and stiffness. While typically associated with older age, it can affect people of any age according to Arthritis Action - something one woman only discovered when she received her diagnosis at 27. Speaking to Arthritis Action, Dasha revealed that her first noticeable symptom started when she was 19, but doctors couldn't determine the cause for years. She explained: "I woke up one morning with an inflamed red left eye. "At first I just assumed it wasn't anything serious, but it quickly became very painful and I realised it needed to be looked at. I was seen by a healthcare professional who couldn't confirm what had caused it or why it had happened. I was given some steroid eye drops which helped a little, and was offered an injection into my eye." Following the treatment, her eye improved and Dasha swiftly continued with her life, dismissing the episode until it occurred once more years later after finishing university. She continued: "This time I quickly recognised what was happening and went to the hospital believing it could be easily sorted again, but the issue simply wouldn't go away. Each time I finished a course of treatment, the symptoms would just reappear." The steroid eye drops were now also triggering side effects making it harder to stick to. After three years of on-and-off use, the inflammation finally started to calm down but doctors were still baffled. She said: "As I wasn't experiencing any other symptoms, they weren't able to diagnose the underlying issue. It felt very disheartening to have these ongoing problems and to have no idea why it was happening, or when it would end." At 26, Dasha celebrated a major personal milestone as she completed her first half marathon but this triggered some severe pain in her hip. She initially wrote it off as a result of the race, but after days of pain Dasha requested an x-ray and when that showed nothing she pushed for an MRI, determined to get to the bottom of this. She said: "They immediately saw that the cause of my hip pain and eye problems had been a form of arthritis all along, called Axial Spondyloarthritis. Only at this point, seven years after my first symptoms, was I diagnosed – and only then because I had pushed a doctor to book me in for an MRI. If I hadn't asked, I could have gone on for years without actually finding the root cause of my symptoms. "Many people say that getting a diagnosis is a relief, but this definitely wasn't the case for me. At the time, it felt more like a sentencing. It felt like I was immediately being told I wouldn't be able to do the things I aspired to as an average 27-year-old." Looking back now, Dasha insists her life didn't stop after the diagnosis but admits she had a "grieving period" following the devastating news. Her journey was only just beginning though as treatment often becomes a trial-and-error process to discover what works for each individual patient. Dasha's health also began to decline during this time: "Initially, all the doctor could do was give me ibuprofen to help manage the pain. Pretty soon I was taking eight tablets a day to try and manage the pain, but even then it didn't subside. I would wake up feeling stiff, and the pain kept me awake all night. "Exercise became painful to the point where I could barely run. Everything felt limited, and there was no end in sight. All I was being told was to ride it out and see what happens. It was very hard on my mental health." One of the most widespread and successful treatments is biologics, a type of medication created from living cells, but Dasha's doctor was hesitant to prescribe it because he "didn't know how serious my condition was". By the end of 2020, Dasha was finally able to commence the treatment and has improved so dramatically she's returned to running. She said: "There's no magic bullet for everyone – all drugs have side effects, and there are always risks involved – but it's been such a life changer to find the right support that works for me and my condition. "I attended a few meetings and groups with other people living with Axial Spondyloarthritis, which really helped me come to terms with my condition and improve my mental health. It made a huge difference to meet others coping with the same condition and who were living well. Many of them were ahead of me in their journey and could share their own experiences and advice. They normalised what felt scary and unknown beforehand. "I still have pain sometimes, but it's nowhere near the pain I was feeling before. When I was younger I could run 5k without a problem, but after my diagnosis I would feel pain for days if I did this. Since beginning biologics, I can easily run 7k and feel completely fine afterwards." Dasha has been telling her story to help other young people with arthritis feel more empowered. She pleaded: "Don't accept that debilitating pain is your new, inescapable reality. "Having a condition like arthritis is really lonely – my friends try to relate and empathise, but they don't know how it actually feels. Having that group of like-minded people to share my experiences with and talk through that journey of grief and acceptance was such a game changer. "This is a lifelong condition. I've found a place where I'm comfortable and can accept my condition. I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but I do know that if anything happens then I'm ready to deal with it. I've learnt that no matter what happens, my condition won't define me. I can deal with it!".
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Ten natural remedies to relieve arthritis pain
One in six of us in the UK now live with arthritis, according to the latest figures from Versus Arthritis, which adds up to over 10 million people suffering with joint pain, swelling and stiffness, many in silence. But while there is sadly no magic cure for arthritis, doctors actively encourage people with the condition to make simple lifestyle adjustments which not only relieve their pain, but also help slow down the progression of the disease. 'The difficulty with a lot of conventional medications like anti-inflammatories and painkillers is that they really don't work very well – or they work but they have side effects,' says Dr Wendy Holden, Arthritis Action's medical adviser and honorary consultant rheumatologist at North Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust. 'Lifestyle changes can make a really big difference.' The most common form of the condition is osteoarthritis (OA), the wear-and-tear kind which typically affects people from their mid-40s onwards, and affects the joints in the hands, spine, knees and hips; and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune condition which causes the body's immune system to mistakenly attack the lining of the joints, causing pain and swelling. 'Even though there are different kinds of arthritis, generally the lifestyle advice holds true across the board,' says Dr Holden. Here are the leading natural remedies and lifestyle changes that our experts recommend. 1. Lose weight One of the biggest favours you can do to relieve your arthritis pain is lose weight. 'Losing weight reduces pressure on joints, particularly weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees. There may also be an impact from reducing fat tissue, as this is metabolically 'active' and can secrete several chemical factors, some of which may have inflammatory effects,' says nutritionist Bridget Benelam, from the British Nutrition Foundation. One study found that reaching a healthy BMI could reduce arthritis pain in the foot and ankle by as much as 43 per cent, and losing just 1lb of body fat could remove 4lb worth of pressure from your knee joints. For this reason alone, Dr Holden says that losing just a small amount of weight will help. 'The important thing here is that you don't need to lose a lot of weight to make a difference: just losing 5-10 per cent of your body weight has been shown to dramatically reduce arthritis pain,' she says. 2. Give up smoking The second biggest factor in relieving arthritis symptoms is to give up smoking. This is because smoking is linked to increased inflammation, one of the main triggers of RA. Smoking can also decrease blood flow and oxygen to your joints, thereby accelerating the deterioration of joint cartilage and slowing down the body's ability to heal, making arthritis progress more quickly. In addition, it's linked to decreased bone density, which can make joint pain worse and increase the risk of falls and fractures. Evidence has shown that stopping smoking will not only improve arthritis symptoms, but will also improve how well any treatment actually works – particularly in people with RA. 3. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet 'A diet which is rich in oily fish, olive oil, vegetables, pulses and wholegrains remains one of the best approaches for reducing inflammation and supporting joint health,' says nutritionist Milena Kaler. She adds: 'Oily fish like salmon and sardines provide omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce joint pain and stiffness over time. Plenty of colourful vegetables and berries provide antioxidants, which help to counter the oxidative stress thought to play a role in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.' Try to avoid heavily processed foods, or those which are high in sugar. This is because a high-sugar diet is thought to be a risk factor for osteoarthritis, and a recent study established a link between arthritis and a high intake of ultra-processed foods, which typically contain additives like preservatives, sweeteners and emulsifiers. 'Ultra-processed foods, excessive refined sugar and trans fats are best kept to a minimum,' advises Kaler. 'These foods are linked to raised inflammation markers in the body and may exacerbate joint pain in the long term. Processed meats, deep-fried foods and high-sugar snacks can worsen systemic inflammation and contribute to weight gain, which places additional strain on joints.' Hydrogenated oils like sunflower oil, soya oil and peanut oil are also linked to worsened arthritis symptoms because of their high omega-6 content which has been linked to inflammatory chemicals in the body. 4. Regular exercise ' Multiple studies show that exercise can reduce pain as much as codeine – by about 30 per cent, ' says Dr Holden. The stronger you are, the more stable your joints will be and the less pain you'll feel.' Gently strengthening muscles and mobilising the joints is the goal, as this will help to stabilise the joint and increase your range of motion, taking the pressure off already sore joints. Regular exercise also helps to improve blood flow. And it doesn't have to involve any expensive kit. Strength training at the gym or at home with resistance bands can be helpful. If this feels too intense, exercising in water, increasing your daily step count, or even practising sitting to standing a few times each day will make a difference, provided you steadily build up and increase your level of activity over time. Dr Holden says: 'People with arthritis worry they're going to hurt themselves with exercise. In fact, the opposite is true. If you don't exercise your muscles get weak and your joints get unstable, and then you get frightened of moving because it hurts.' 5. Acupuncture Daniel Elliott, clinic director at The London Acupuncture Clinic, who treats arthritis patients daily, says that acupuncture is particularly effective when used in combination with conventional medicine – often helping patients to reduce their dosage and the associated side effects. We still don't entirely understand how or why acupuncture works, but a review of a number of studies points to its anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effect, and concludes that it's worth trying as it can improve the quality of life for people with arthritis, particularly those with RA. Elliott says: 'Acupuncture works to increase localised blood circulation which can help reduce inflammation and swelling, improving movement and reducing pain. It also stimulates the nervous system and releases endorphins which further reduce discomfort.' 6. Massage Massage helps to relieve tension and stiffness, while improving blood flow and easing inflammation and pain. There's some evidence that a weekly or bi-weekly Swedish massage lasting 30-60 minutes for a period of eight weeks can help to manage the pain of RA, as well as reducing the need for painkillers – and Dr Holden believes that massage can also relieve the pain associated with OA. 'Massage can be helpful for hip, knee or back pain. It's a matter of finding which type of 'hands-on' treatment feels best for you,' she says, whether that's manipulation, like osteopathy or chiropractic, myofascial release (a technique used to treat skeletal muscle immobility and pain by releasing tension in the fascia), a gentle, relaxing massage from a beauty therapist, or even self-massage. 'Some people are very sensitive to massage and may find that intense forms of massage are uncomfortable – even painful. In this case, a gentle, relaxing message is a good alternative.' 7. Heat and cold therapy It's worth experimenting to see if your arthritis pain responds best to heat or cold, or a combination of both. Warm baths, saunas, heating pads and hot water bottles can provide short-term relief by improving blood flow and reducing muscle spasms, while ice baths, cold-water swimming, ice packs or even a bag of frozen peas can help to calm inflammation and numb the pain. Dr Holden says: 'As a guide, if there's a muscular element to your pain, then heat will generally help but if there's inflammation or swelling, cold might work better.' 8. Stress-busting techniques You may roll your eyes at this one, but practising mindful meditation can not only help reduce stress and improve sleep, there's increasing evidence that it can also support pain management. This is particularly true for body-scan meditation (paying particular attention to the body parts from top to toes), designed to help you manage pain and discomfort. In one study, participants who followed an eight-week course involving a 10-minute daily meditation reported an immediate improvement in pain-related distress. 'When we're very stressed, our pain threshold will go down, so we feel pain more,' explains Dr Holden. 'People with inflammatory arthritis will often report flare-ups when they've been stressed, and we know that mindfulness or meditation can help with pain management.' If you can't face the thought of meditation, research suggests that simple breathing exercises can have similar benefits – and you can pick up the basics with a free online course. 9. Quality sleep Many people with arthritis have trouble sleeping because the pain, stiffness and inflammation makes it hard to relax and get comfortable. In fact, research shows that up to 60 per cent of arthritis sufferers experience pain during the night. However, there's good evidence that improved sleep can help to ease arthritis pain along with your ability to manage it, so it's important to prioritise sleep hygiene to help you get the restorative rest your body needs. 'Sleep is anti-inflammatory: it boosts the immune system, supports healing and improves mental wellbeing. This is why I recommend paying attention to sleep hygiene,' says Dr Holden. 'Focus on the basics, such as not eating close to bedtime, establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evening, and taking time to unwind before bed.' If your sleep is disturbed by pain, talk to your GP about physiotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and drug treatments, all of which can help you break the cycle of sleeplessness. 10. Supplements The jury is out on this. Health food shops are packed with supplements claiming to ease the symptoms of arthritis, and Dr Holden believes that some of them are worth a try – with one important caveat. She says: 'There is some evidence that some herbal supplements can have an anti-inflammatory effect, particularly rosehip, devil's claw, ginger and gingko. However, you need to be careful with supplements and check with a pharmacist as some of them may interact with the anti-inflammatories that many people take for arthritis.' Kaler adds: 'Calcium and vitamin K2 may support bone health, which is important in older adults with osteoarthritis. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, shows some promise for reducing joint pain thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, though the effects tend to be modest and it's not a substitute for medical treatment.' Dr Holden recommends vitamin D supplementation simply because most of us are deficient. She says: 'Vitamin D is important for the immune system, muscle health and bone health, and deficiency can worsen musculoskeletal pain.' Benelam adds: 'Calcium and vitamin D are essential nutrients for bone health and supplements may be prescribed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking steroids, which can increase the risk of bone loss and osteoporosis.'
Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
How to look after arthritic knees
When it comes to osteoarthritis (OA), our knees are most vulnerable; the most complex joints in the body, constructed with four bones and an extensive network of ligaments and muscles, carrying our full body weight. An estimated 5.4 million people in the UK are living with knee OA, but we still don't know the cause. It's not a simple case of 'wear and tear'. Genetics play a role, as well as gender – it's more common and severe in women – and injuries, such as sports injuries earlier in life or hard physical labour. 'At its base level, OA is inflammation of a joint, a cycle of wear and failure of repair,' explains Mr Saket Tibrewal, a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at the Cromwell Hospital, who specialises in the knee. 'Any joint damage causes inflammation, then you get the release of fluid which carries enzymes which damage the cartilage itself.' Cartilage is the smooth, slippery tissue that cushions the end of our bones to allow them to move freely against each other. The more damaged it becomes, the greater the reaction to further damage – the more fluid, the more enzymes. 'Over time, these cycles get progressively worse.' How can we halt it? Anyone concerned by OA knee pain should first get a diagnosis to establish the state of the joint and, if it is OA, how much cartilage is left. When it comes to self-management, it won't be possible to reverse, but there are steps that might prevent further deterioration and certainly control symptoms. 'If you get it right, you might be able to get through all your active life with a little bit of pain but avoiding surgery,' says David Vaux, the head of therapies and exercise at Arthritis Action and author of Stronger. 'If you get it wrong, and especially if you do too much, you potentially accelerate your journey towards a knee replacement.' So what might help? The best supplements for knee pain Turmeric ' Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory,' says Tibrewal. 'I tell my patients to take it and for some, it really works.' Curcumin, one of its active components, has anti-inflammatory properties similar to that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and a BMJ review of studies of turmeric or curcumin on knee OA found that all recorded improvements in pain and function. Glucosamine 'This plays a role in building cartilage and might delay it's breakdown,' says Tibrewal. 'Again, not everybody is going to feel a benefit, but some do.' While some research has found that glucosamine reduces OA knee pain, other studies showed little improvement. Chondroitin 'This can nourish the joint and improve cartilage health,' Tibrewal explains. According to the charity Versus Arthritis, chondroitin has been tested in more than 20 randomised controlled trials and many have shown significant clinical benefits in pain reduction. Although, again, evidence is mixed. Vitamin D ' Vitamin D supplements are important for general bone health,' notes Tibrewal. It may also have anti-inflammatory effects and help maintain the immune system. Get the right footwear 'Your knee is affected by everything around it,' says Tibrewal. 'The ankles, hips, back and spine all feed into it. It's one whole chain and little imbalances anywhere can affect the knee. People who are flat-footed, or have an incorrect gait, for example will get good symptom relief by addressing that.' A doctor, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or podiatrist can all give advice here. For those with advanced knee arthritis, Nice guidelines recommend Apos, a foot worn device which looks like a trainer and redistributes pressure in order to reduce pain. (It's also available privately, often covered by medical insurance.) 'Insoles can make a big difference,' says Tibrewal. 'I also use a lot of knee bracing. For people who have a lot of wear in one part of the knee, special braces can push the leg straight and take away the pressure.' Finding the correct footwear is essential. Shoes should have thick soles, enough toe room, and good arch support. 'There should be enough cushioning to reduce the impact when you walk,' says Vaux. Listen to your knees 'Exercise is so important to strengthen the joint but if you feel pain doing something, it's a request for change,' says Vaux. 'Either you did it for too long or it's the wrong exercise for you. Anyone with OA needs to listen to their body and pace themselves far more than the person on the next treadmill or climbing the escalator in front of you who doesn't have OA. It's not fair but it's important to understand that. Exercise, like medicine, requires the correct dose and for that, you need a diagnosis first, and then a schedule where you 'train clever', not hard, doing less exercises but precise ones. We need a little bit of impact for strong bodies, but prolonged impact is detrimental.' How do you know if pain is 'healthy' post-exercise ache or a sign of damage? 'It's normal to have aches after training, but if the knee swells, if you're losing mobility, if it's pain that persists, you need to rest the knee,' Vaux continues. When it comes to training muscles around the knee, Vaux suggests twice a week is enough. 'But that's not a golden rule,' he adds. 'If you train on Monday and by Thursday, your knee is not feeling great, opt for something non-weight bearing, like cycling, or work on your core and upper body.' Lose weight 'Offloading the knee through weight reduction is first and foremost the most effective way to alleviate symptoms,' says Mr Rej Bhumbra, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon on the Knee Team at The London Orthopaedic Clinic. 'Four times our body weight goes through the knee joint, so even if a patient can lose 5kg, that means 20kg less on the knees. That slight change in weight makes a huge difference.' However, it isn't just about weight. 'It's the type of weight you have,' says Bhumbra. 'Is your body distribution more fat-based or muscle-based? Muscle bulk around the knee – good quads and hamstrings – offloads the knee.' Research by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has shown that people with strong quads are less likely to need knee replacements. Sleep well and manage stress 'Sleep is when your body makes its repairs, so prioritise sleep and find ways to manage stress, whether it's breathing protocols or talking therapies or anything else,' says Vaux. Chronic stress and lack of sleep triggers inflammation and potentially exacerbates pain and the cycle of joint damage. 'If you're always in a state of arousal, our sympathetic nervous system keeps us on alert and the counterbalance, our parasympathetic nervous system, doesn't have a chance to help our body relax, recover and repair.' A review of 54 studies on the impact of chronic stress on arthritis, found that 41 showed it to be a risk factor for worsening pain and disease progression. Tailor your diet 'Eat your anti-inflammatories,' says Tibrewal. 'Get your omega-3 from oily fish.' The Mediterranean diet is anti-inflammatory while processed meats, sweets and sugary drinks are linked to higher inflammation. Protein is also important. 'As we age, our ability to absorb protein is reduced so we should be eating a little bit of protein with every meal,' says Vaux. 'The amino acids stored in our skeletal muscular tissue are the repository on which the body draws when recovering from injury and repairing. Stay flexible Synovial fluid, also known as joint fluid, is a thick, lubricating liquid found within the knee joint that reduces friction during movement and nourishes the cartilage and surrounding tissue. 'Joint health depends on a full range of motion in order to get synovial fluid feeding the surface of our articular cartilage,' says Vaux. 'If you lose 10 or 20 per cent of movement, you've lost 10 or 20 per cent of that nourishing fluid getting to those areas and that will accelerate wear and tear. Build in a simple night-time and morning stretch routine – you can do them when you're lying in bed.' These include: Knee rotations Lying on your back with your legs together and knees bent, slowly lower your knees to one side, staying within a comfortable range and not allowing your back to raise up. Bring your knees back to the middle, repeat to the opposite side. Doing so for 2 minutes, this should be slow and rhythmic. Crossover knee push Then cross your right ankle over your left knee. Using your right hand to gently press on your right knee, push your knee away from your body until you feel a slight stretch in your right hip and lower back. Then, gently pull your knee toward your belly button before pushing it away again. Continue this movement for one minute before swapping to the left side and repeat the movement. The best exercises for arthritic knees When it comes to exercise, low impact is important, such as swimming, cycling, cross-training, and rowing machines. 'If you really want to run, if you love to run, I'd recommend grass, not tarmac or treadmill and to limit it, mixing it up with other non-weight bearing cardio,' says Vaux. 'Brisk walking is excellent.' 'For strength training, you want to build all the muscles around your knees as a natural brace for that corseting effect, but you also want to strengthen the connective tissue, your ligaments, and tendons that stabilise the knee joint. Isometric exercises – which involve contracting muscles without moving the joint – are ideal for people with knee OA. They give you a really nice contraction without the impact that we want to avoid.' Static wall sit 'These are great for stabilising our knee joints,' says Vaux. 'Depending on your level, start with a slight bend in the knee leaning against the wall, then hold for 30 seconds. Over time, build up to a minute. When that becomes easier, bend your knees a further five degrees and so on. Build this habit into the dead times of your day, like waiting for the kettle or when you're on hold on your phone. Remember, if it hurts, go higher, or try another exercise.' Static hip bridge 'This is another great isometric exercise that builds tolerance in the muscle and ligaments of the knee,' says Vaux. 'It is also a good alternative if wall-sits make your knees sore.' Lie flat on the floorwith your legs bent. Drive through your heels to push your hips upwards as far as you can go. Slow motion sit down 'When you have got to sit down during the day, do it in slow motion every time to the count of 5 or 6,' says Vaux. 'This is an eccentric contraction and it's gold dust for building stability and preventing knee injuries and the kind of knee pain you experience when walking downstairs.' Alternate single leg box step-ups 'Build up to four sets of 10 on each leg and when that feels easy, put some bottled water into a pack on your back and build up to four sets of 10 again,' says Vaux. Using the staircase is also fine. Walking lunge 'Start with own body weight, building up to four lots of 10 lunges for each leg and when this is too easy, add some water bottles to your backpack and start again,' says Vaux. Single leg balance 'Balancing on one leg can be done anywhere, including waiting for a train or queuing at a check out,' says Vaux. 'Use a sink or table if you need a little more support.' Bouncing 'These are great for balance, muscle and bone health and without the knee impact of jumping,' says Vaux. Facing a desk, a table, kitchen top or sink, hold the surface in front of you with your hands shoulder width apart, bend your knees slightly, with feet shoulder width apart and gently bounce. Keep your back straight and looking up, letting your heels raise up but not letting your toes leave the floor. Start out with 20 bounces and build up to 50 bounces 3-4 times a week. Stronger:10 exercises for a longer healthier life by David Vaux is available now
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'World's most anti-inflammatory food' is 'better than ibuprofen' says expert
Chronic joint inflammation can cause serious discomfort, pain and stiffness but an expert has flagged a simple seed that can help UK charity Arthritis Action, there are thought to be 10 million people in the UK with some form of arthritis, with the condition characterised by chronic inflammation in the joints that leads to significant pain and stiffness. One way to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis is to tackle that joint inflammation. This can be achieved through anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or even dietary changes. A medical expert has now revealed what he calls the 'world's most anti-inflammatory food,' and he claims it's even 'better than ibuprofen.' Eric Berg is a social media sensation with 17 million subscribers on YouTube and over one million followers on TikTok who often shares health and diet advice on his page, specialising in intermittent fasting and healthy ketosis, reports the Daily Record. In a recent TikTok video, he shared his knowledge on what he describes as the ' world 's most anti-inflammatory food'. He explained: "The most anti-inflammatory food in the world is not turmeric, it's not ginger, and it's definitely not blueberries. "Just one little teaspoon of this food can reduce joint inflammation better than ibuprofen. It has been used for thousands of years and it has outperformed turmeric and ginger in reducing joint inflammation by 60 per cent." Despite much discussion about their benefits, Berg has not crowned turmeric or ginger as the ultimate anti-inflammatory. Instead, he sings the praises of black cumin seed oil as the top pick for easing joint inflammation. Black seed oil comes from the seeds of the Nigella sativa plant, often identified as black cumin or kalonji. While many of us might not feel as comfortable cooking with it as ginger or tumeric which are spice rack staples, it is readily stocked in health food stores with fans of natural remedies able to get a bottle for £16 at Holland and Barrett or opt for 1000 mg Black Seed Oil Cold Pressed Capsules at £13.99 on Amazon for those less keen on oils. Berg said: "The unique compound in black seed oil is called thymoquinone, which has a direct anti-inflammatory effect comparable to over-the-counter pain medications." According to Medical News Today, health benefits coming from the thymoquinone in black seed oil include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial traits, with some saying the compound may aid in healing wounds and lowering blood pressure. Elsewhere, a scientific study showcased in Science Direct in 2021 confirm thymoquinone's prowess in tackling chronic inflammatory conditions, asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, bronchitis, headaches, eczema, fevers, dizziness, and influenza thanks to its trio of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic capabilities. Aside from black seed oil, turmeric and ginger remain more readily available spices which can be incorporated into diet and help give a health boost. Healthline explains that ginger contains bioactive compounds such as gingerol that can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain associated with various conditions like muscle soreness, arthritis, and digestive issues. The Mayo Clinic also explains that there are various studies looking at the benefits of turmeric for anti-inflammation. Several studies show turmeric to be just as effective as ibuprofen for reducing inflammation, swelling, and pain but more research is needed to confirm these effects.
