Do you associate arthritis with old age? The truth: arthritis doesn’t discriminate. Just ask Dr. Richard Blau, author of Too Young To Feel Old: The Arthritis Doctor’s 28-Day-Formula for Pain-Free Living . Half of his patients are under the age of 45, and 80% are women.
Rheumatoid arthritis (not to be confused with osteoarthritis, which affects older patients) usually affects women between the ages of 20 and 40. If you’re one of them, follow Blau’s easy-to-implement solutions to alleviate symptoms:
Move your body. From ankle circles to wrist extensions, exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness so you’re more flexible.
Kick bad fats to the curb. Saturated fats and trans fats contain omega-6s and omega-9s, which are inflammatory. Opt for omega-3s instead, found in cod, wild salmon and milled flax seeds. Try Blau’s recipes for Ginger Tuna Salad Served on Romaine Lettuce, Garlic Shrimp in White Wine over Whole Wheat Linguini and Harriet’s Homemade Granola.
See your doctor. Don’t let joint pain persist. While over-the-counter medications offer pain relief, they’re no substitute for treatment.
