Question: I am 75 years old and have painful arthritis in my right knee. My doctor said I need a knee replacement. Are there supplements I can take to heal my arthritis without surgery?

Dr. Browstein's Answer:

Unfortunately, arthritis of the joints is very common these days, particularly in the elderly. One of the major causes is eating a poor diet full of refined sugar, flour, and salt, and not drinking enough water.

It is important to eat a diet with whole foods, and avoid refined food products. Furthermore, it is vitally important to drink adequate amounts of water to prevent dehydration. Take your weight in pounds, divide by two and drink that amount of water in ounces per day.

One supplement that can help with arthritis is called methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, which supplies a readily available form of sulfur. The cartilage in the joints needs adequate amounts of sulfur to maintain proper function.
Other supplements that help with arthritis include glucosamine and turmeric, as well as bromelain and EGCG from green tea. Limbex is a supplement that I have formulated to help combat arthritis.

Keep in mind that if the arthritis is severe, especially when there is “bone on bone” in the X-rays with severely decreased range of motion, surgery may be indicated. At this point, joint replacement may be the best option.

I have written extensively about arthritis in my book, Overcoming Arthritis.