ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

10 tips for choosing the right joint supplement

Dealing with joint pain and stiffness from injuries or arthritis can be extremely difficult. To aid medical therapies and promote quicker healing, many people have started taking a more holistic approach to health by opting for supplements. However, not all supplements are made equal, making finding the right one a daunting task. To help people through this process, here are ten tips for choosing the right joint supplement for one’s needs.

Research well
First and foremost, begin with a round of thorough research. Check the list of ingredients and verify if they are backed by data proving their effectiveness in reducing joint pain. Most often, joint pain supplements contain a mix of glucosamine, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM), and chondroitin. Explore the web to learn more about these ingredients and how they may help manage pain better before choosing the right supplement for one’s needs.

Steer clear of supplements with questionable ingredients
On any pack of supplements, the list of active ingredients is given the most importance. While these are the primary elements of the product, individuals must also pay careful attention to other ingredients. These aren’t added for their health benefits but to enhance other aspects, such as stability and flavor. Watch out for these additives, and if possible, research them for clarity. Watch out for harmful ingredients, and steer clear of them to ensure the supplement does not cause distress to the body.

Look for supplements with the right amount of active ingredients
Taking vitamins and supplements mindlessly can do more harm than good. Learn about the role of micronutrients in the body and understand what proportions the body needs them in to support optimal functioning. Find supplements with the right proportions of active ingredients to help relieve joint pain.

Understand the risks
Although many supplements are labeled “natural,” they are not always suitable for people. Unlike other food and prescriptions, supplements are not certified for safety or effectiveness, or regulated by the FDA. This creates a major loophole for manufacturers to list ingredients on the label that may not be in the product. It also increases the risk of side effects such as gastrointestinal upsets or excessive bleeding.

To confirm the safety and effectiveness of supplements, consider looking them up on the NMCD database. Since an annual subscription to this data can be pricey, consider asking the primary care doctor to assist in the process.

Be wary of false claims
Don’t fall for big promises made by big supplement companies. Many often pose exciting assurances, such as “rebuilds damaged joints,” which are far from the truth. Legally, supplements cannot claim to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent diseases.

Consult the doctor
When in doubt, talk to the primary healthcare physician. Ask them if it’s safe to have a certain supplement and how it may interact with other ongoing treatments. Enquire if the dosage is correct to address one’s current levels of arthritis and joint pain.

At the same time, it is essential to note that doctors may not always have the best advice on supplements, since this is not a vital part of their training. For the best guidance, consider consulting a doctor with an integrative medical fellowship.

Look for the seal
Some third-party organizations do their due diligence to perform quality tests and check the ingredients on the label. These are the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab.com, and NSF International. Look for a seal of approval from either of these organizations to confirm that the supplement delivers what it promises and does not contain harmful toxins.

Check the lot and batch number
This can be crucial in the case of the production of a faulty batch that needs to be recalled. Generally, companies that keep track of the lot and batch numbers hold themselves to a high degree of accountability, which can benefit customers. With lot and batch numbers, companies can trace the product and alert their customers promptly, reducing the risk of unpleasant side effects.

Consider the cost
The cost of supplements can add up quickly. A one-month supply of glucosamine and chondroitin alone costs around $30 on average. This equates to $360 per year on supplements for joint health alone. This can increase significantly with experimentation to find the right products for one’s needs. Save these costs by consulting an integrative health specialist or a rheumatologist. Ask for their advice before buying any new supplements.

Shop smartly
There are thousands of brands of supplements to choose from, with easy availability in general stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, and even online retailers. When buying from any of these sources, opting for well-renowned and reputable brands is a safer bet, as they are likely to have better research and development teams and facilities. This can make a real difference in the effectiveness of the supplement itself. If a site or a store looks questionable, stay an arm’s length away from it!

If nothing seems to be working, it may be time to visit the doctor again. They can help by adjusting one’s current arthritis or pain prescriptions or offering alternatives such as physical therapy to reduce pain and stiffness in the body.

Popular Reads

11 useful tips for anxiety management

Nearly 84% of participants in a particular mental health survey were said to have some form of anxiety. The severity of symptoms did vary from person to person, but the fact remains that we live in a world where almost everything is a potential trigger for anxiety. And living in denial about having a psychological trigger only worsens the problem. Luckily, it is possible to manage anxiety by following the suggestions recommended by experts. Identify the triggers Anxiety is mainly triggered due to an event or episode where one finds themselves in a difficult position. It could be something that puts a person out of their comfort zone. Doctors advise people to identify these triggers and avoid them. Any comment, action, or situation that did not work out in favor triggers anxiety. So, make a list of such events and instances and ignore them the next time something happens related to that event. At the same time, try to remain positive as it can help strengthen the mind to manage anxiety better. Keep busy Distraction is one of the simplest ways to prevent a panic or anxiety attack. You can perform simple chores or indulge in a favorite task to stay physically and mentally occupied for a few hours. When the mind is occupied, there is hardly any scope for negative thoughts to trigger unnecessary overthinking. Some creative activities to boost cognitive performance include taking a walk, painting, drawing, listening to music, meditating, praying, and reading. You can opt for any of these to stay busy. Try mindfulness techniques Deep breathing and mindfulness techniques have helped thousands overcome their fear or anxiety time and again. Focused deep breathing is a method where one inhales for four counts and exhales for the same duration; this is practiced for minutes. It helps lower heart rate, which, in turn, calms the mind and body.

Atrial fibrillation – Causes, symptoms, and management tips

The human heart is susceptible to several health complications, including atrial fibrillation (AFib). The condition is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia, which is a term describing when the heart beats unusually slowly, fast, or irregularly. AFib is estimated to affect between 2.7 million to 6.1 million individuals in the country. An individual with the complication experiences irregular beating in the heart’s upper chambers, affecting blood flow, leading to health complications. Causes Irregularities in the structure of the heart are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Sometimes people may develop the condition without any known heart damage or problems. Risk factors like age may also contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation. Other potential causes of the phenomenon include a heart attack, sick sinus syndrome – issues with the heart’s natural pacemaker, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defect – A heart defect that an individual might be born with, high blood pressure, lung diseases, heart valve problems, use of stimulants, including certain prescriptions and caffeine, physical stress caused due to pneumonia, other illnesses, and also surgery, sleep apnea, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), metabolic imbalances, viral infections, and complications due to earlier heart surgery. Symptoms A person who develops atrial fibrillation may not notice symptoms, and the condition is detected only after a physical examination. But some people experience signs and symptoms before a diagnosis. A few common symptoms of AFib include being unable to exercise to one’s full potential, feelings of weakness, throbbing pain in the chest, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations and sensations of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat, and feeling extremely fatigued. Therefore, the symptoms of atrial fibrillation differ from one person to the other. Occasional symptoms (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) Here, a person may experience something that lasts from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Macular degeneration – Types, causes, and remedies

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects a person’s vision and develops as people age. This progressive eye disorder involves the deterioration of the macula, which is a part of the eye’s retina. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and may develop in one or both eyes. This condition is of two main types – dry and wet. Read further to learn about the disorder, its causes, and its types. Dry macular degeneration People are more likely to have dry macular degeneration than wet form. It is also less severe and develops when tiny yellow protein deposits under the macula. These deposits dry and thin the macula, causing gradual central vision loss while the peripheral vision remains intact. In the advanced stages, the dry form can progress to the wet form. People with dry macular degeneration need to test their eyes daily at home using an Amsler grid. One must consult a health expert immediately if any vision changes are observed. Wet macular degeneration In this condition, the blood vessels grow beneath the retina and macula and cause blood and fluid to leak into the retina. This build-up of fluid results in scarring, leading to permanent loss of central vision. The wet form can cause a sudden change in eyesight resulting in a severe loss of centralized vision when left untreated. People with wet macular degeneration may require repeated treatments. Symptoms Macular degeneration may not cause any symptoms during the early stages. However, as the condition progresses, it can cause distortion and blurry vision. It can result in difficulty reading, driving, and identifying colors. Macular degeneration occurs mainly in people aged over 50. Blurred vision Dark, blurry areas appear in the center of the vision, leading to increased blurriness in reading printed words. Visual distortion The person may experience visual distortions, such as straight lines that look wavy or crooked, and objects may appear distorted.