Stiff joints? Aching muscles? The right supplements can help recharge your body and get you back on track. Whether you’re recovering from a marathon, gearing up for tennis season or just need a boost, health expert Bhavash Padhair shares his go-to remedies for peak performance…
As summer approaches, I cast my mind back to June 2014, when my friends and I completed the Three Peaks Challenge. We climbed up and down the highest and most wondrous peaks of England, Scotland and Wales all within 24 hours in the name of charity. Five years on and my knees still give me the occasional nagging reminder of the torture I put them through.
As a big believer in natural health, I like to use the correct supplements to help with these minor ailments. Of course, a good starting point (aside from adding supplements for healthy joints and muscles) is a healthy diet. After all, you are what you eat. Nonetheless, here is a variety of remedies that I would recommend depending on how you feel about any niggles you may have.
Turmeric and Ginger
Turmeric is a common staple of Asian cooking and native to the Indian subcontinent. It is related to ginger but is less pungent, whilst having a mildly bitter and warming taste; the root is usually powdered and used to make delicious curries. Turmeric lattes and infusions have been cropping up more and more in trendy cafés, as the health and fitness community has caught onto the benefits of this adaptogenic ingredient: it has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for arthritic pain.
It can be applied directly to the skin, or mixed into drinks, but the best way to ensure efficacy is to take it as a concentrated supplement. Quite often you will see it presented in conjunction with other joint supplements like glucosamine, as they work well together. Turmeric and ginger are also used for immune health and respiratory complaints in Ayurvedic medicine.
Magnesium
Do you find that your knees are a little bit stiff in the mornings? Magnesium oil is currently my favourite remedy, and I’ve had excellent results using it. Try giving your knees a little rub with the oil before bedtime to improve flexibility in the morning.
Magnesium also helps with relaxation, and is available mixed with lavender for a more restful sleep. If you like to enjoy a warm bath, you could also add traditional Epsom Salts – magnesium sulphate crystals – which helps to soothe your body and makes a great detox for your skin, too.
Celedrin
Celedrin isn’t an actual herb or vitamin, but is a combination of fatty acid carbons – the fatty acids have an effect that lubricates your joints to allow more flexibility and smoothness of movement. There are many claims made by this product, but I’ve been convinced by personal experience: after just two months of taking Celedrin, an elderly customer of mine with severe arthritis noticed that she could wiggle her toes better and move her legs more freely – she could walk without pain. It’s not just for osteoarthritis sufferers: Celedrin will certainly help with your movement and flexibility, so now you can’t use stiff joints as an excuse for not going to that Pilates or yoga classes!
Use It or Lose It
Apart from using supplements, the best thing you can do for your body is to keep active as much as possible. Anything that encourages movement and stretching will help – the human body isn’t designed to be static for long periods of time.
Any exercise that allows you to take your body to test its natural limits is a good thing – Pilates or yoga classes are a fun way to explore the mechanical range of your body. Don’t worry if you can’t do all the poses and shapes your instructor can do – over time, you will get there.
Photo credit: Bruce Mars
Be careful if you have any injuries, and always remain within to the limits of comfort. Whilst jogging is good for your cardiovascular health, pounding the pavements or the treadmill on a regular basis can have an adverse effect on your knees. Swimming, rowing or cycling are non-impact, and offer the benefits of a good range of movement – deep breathing and cardio all rolled into a happy mix.
Photo credit: David Hofmann
Overall, with a combination of remedial supplements, healthy eating, an active lifestyle and TLC for your body, you will be able to see positive changes that will ease your joint and muscle pains. Climbing the peaks of the UK should no longer be a problem – see you on the mountain!
Written By: Bhavash Padhiar
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Twitter: @bhavashmedical
