Currently in the United States as many as 1 in 3 people may suffer from some form of chronic arthritis. The numbers are sobering and only increasing.

Arthritis manifests it self as a persistent inflammation and or pain in a joint or joints. These can be the knees, wrists, elbows, fingers, toes, hips, neck, back and shoulders. Symptoms of this disease may include pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity of the joint. The pain associated with arthritis has been compared to a persistent toothache, a sharp burning or grinding pain.

Arthritis has over 100 forms, but two are most commonly talked about: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is associated with aging, more common with women than men, which degenerates the cartilage ends of the bones. Over time the surface of the cartilage becomes rough. The friction causes the tendons, ligaments and muscles holding the joint together to become weaker over time. The joint becomes painful and stiff. There is usually some pain, but very little swelling if any.

Rheumatoid and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis attacks the membrane around the joints lubricating fluid. The cartilage, tissues, and bone surface itself are often destroyed. The body's reaction to this damage is to form scar tissue, causing the space between the joints to eventually fuse together. Rheumatoid is especially insidious in that it attacks all the joints. It can affect all ages and is accompanied by stiffness, swelling, persistent fatigue, anemia, weight loss, fever, and often crippling pain.

What dietary supplements can you take to help? There is a veritable laundry list:

• Calcium to prevent bone loss

• Coenzyme Q10 to aid in repairing connective tissue.

• Garlic to inhibit the formation of free radicals

• Multienzymes

• Multivitamins (without iron)

• Extra Vitamin C is another free radical destroyer

• Beta Carotene

• Extra Vitamin E is another free radical destroyer

• Amino acid complex

Please keep in mind that these nutrients are in no way to be substituted for proper medical care. They are suggested as additional tools to fight the effects of arthritis.

Additional considerations concern your food intake. Avoid milk, red meat, refined sugar in any form, citrus fruits, green peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco and salt.

Exercise is crucial for pain reduction and retarding joint deterioration. Also try to drink distilled water. Take hot baths to relieve swelling and pain.

With proper care and treatment, and a healthy diet supplemented by the appropriate vitamins and supplements you may be able to prolong the detrimental effects of arthritis.