Dr. Elaine, I have arthritis. I’m taking anti-inflammatory medicines, and my doctor says I’m heading for knee replacement surgery for both of them. What can I do to help my severe arthritis in my knees?

There are so many good things you can do to support your knees, and reverse the process. I advise considering and discussing these options with your doctor:

  1. Keep a diary of your food intake for 2 weeks and review it.  Look for restaurant and processed foods, and eliminate them.  Focus on fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood.  A modified Mediterranean diet is really good, as is a plant based one.
  2. Exercise regularly that doesn’t place too much strain on your knees.  Swimming is one of the best ones you can do, plus, Tai Chi and Yoga are great.
  3. Nutritional supplements-there are many proven to help sustain normal joint function and reverse the inflammatory process that is one of the major factors accelerating osteoarthritis.
  4. Joint support-SAM-e, S-Adenosylmethione is one of my favorite supplements.  It’s also good for depression and has anti-aging properties, also gelatin, chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, and DMSO are good.
  5. Herbs-Tumeric (Curcumin), Devil’s claw, Boswellia, Ginger
  6. Vitamins- D, C, E
  7. Minerals (in addition to calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron are all needed for bone health)
  8. Fatty acids- Fish oil, Avocado oil, Krill oil
  9. Enzymes-Bromelain
  10. Acupuncture

Source: Arthritis – Osteoarthritis