One of the reasons older people slow down and do not exercise regularly is because of pain. Joints and muscles can ache more than is comfortable, causing you to stop moving as much. Staying active for as long as possible will help you live longer. When you can reduce pain, you can keep moving and lead a more active life – which will also help you live longer.
Once you start to slow down, a downward trend begins that leads to effects on your body that will shorten your life. For one thing, your immune system will weaken, and it becomes easier to develop a potentially fatal health condition or disease.
Natural pain-relieving herbs and supplements can help reduce aches and pains and let you enjoy life more. They also are healthier for you than traditional over-the-counter pain medications.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
If you have arthritis and joint pain, you will want to try glucosamine and chondroitin. These supplements are naturally occurring in the body. Together, they help stimulate the growth of the cartilage in your joints. At the same time, they also help to prevent enzymes from breaking down the cartilage. Glucosamine takes several weeks before you start seeing the benefit. Taking it with methyl-sulfonyl methane (MSM) – which is anti-inflammatory – will further help to reduce pain in the joints
Krill Oil
Krill oil will help to reduce pain because it also is anti-inflammatory. Although similar to fish oil, the omega-3 oils – DHA and EPA – that are in krill oil are believed by some researchers to be more easily utilized by the body. Another benefit of krill oil is that it may help your heart by reducing cholesterol and triglycerides.
Capsaicin
Various creams and ointments containing capsaicin have become very popular in reducing pain. Capsaicin comes from chili peppers, and it has proven to reduce pain considerably when applied. You only need to rub the cream on the aching or hurting spots. It works quickly. Of course, it gets hot, so you want to use it carefully at first to see how it affects you.
Olive Oil
Using olive oil in your cooking can provide you with several health benefits, including reducing inflammation. The oil contains some powerful antioxidants and can lower your risk of several diseases and unhealthy heart conditions. It contains monounsaturated fat that has been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Some research has shown (more is needed) that olive oil can also reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and some types of cancer.
Turmeric
The spice turmeric contains an ingredient called curcuma. It also can reduce inflammation and one study found it to be as effective as ibuprofen for arthritis in the knee. It will only achieve this level of effectiveness after taking it daily for about four weeks.
Essential Oils
Another way to relieve pain is through essential oils. There are several of these oils that may help to reduce pain. Some oils also have other beneficial properties such as being anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. This includes peppermint oil, lavender, and rosemary. Caution needs to be given when using essential oils because some of them are poisonous. Find out whether to use it in a diffuser or on the skin (usually requiring it to be diluted with a carrier oil first).
Before taking some of these natural supplements or oils to move better and live longer, you may need to consult a doctor first. They may interact with some medicines and may not be beneficial for certain health conditions.
