If my mom were still alive, she would be 104 years old today.
She passed in December 2015 at the age of 94, and I consider myself blessed to have had her for so long.
My mom was the type of person who never let anything get her down—but one thing that truly dampened her spirits was the horrible arthritis pain she suffered during her last few years.
Unfortunately, arthritis continues to grow more common. It currently affects about 60 million Americans, including 300,000 children—and it’s the number one cause of disability in the U.S.
Things don’t look any better for the future, either. By 2040, experts estimate that 78 million Americans will have arthritis.
Let’s take a closer look at some facts about arthritis medications you might not know—and explore safe, natural ways to get relief without relying on risky painkillers.
Why Arthritis Medications Can Do More Harm Than Good
While medications can help ease arthritis pain, they can also lead to dangerous side effects—and may even make the condition worse over time.
The dangers of opioids are well known and include addiction, overdose, and even death.
But NSAIDs (like aspirin and ibuprofen) have their dark side, too. Many people take 2–4 grams of aspirin or up to 12–20 ibuprofen capsules daily for arthritis relief—doses that approach toxicity and put tremendous stress on the liver and other organs.
Common side effects from NSAIDs include:
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Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
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Stomach irritation or GI bleeding
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Leaky gut
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Headaches and dizziness
Even worse, long-term NSAID use triples your risk of stroke and raises your likelihood of heart attack.
And here’s the real kicker—long-term NSAID use can actually cause complete joint cartilage degeneration.
Studies show that both aspirin and other NSAIDs inhibit your body’s ability to synthesize collagen, accelerating cartilage destruction and worsening joint damage.
How to Fight Arthritis Naturally and Safely
The good news? There are many safe, natural ways to ease pain, calm inflammation, and even slow or reverse the degenerative changes associated with arthritis.
Here are five strategies to help you feel better and move more freely:
1. Stop Eating for Pain and Inflammation
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is loaded with fast food, sugar, soda, grains, and processed items—all of which trigger inflammation and acid waste accumulation in the body.
But just as diet can cause inflammation, it can also help calm it. Focus on anti-inflammatory foods like:
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Fresh fruits (especially berries, melon, avocado, pineapple)
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Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower)
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Bone broth
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Sulfur-rich foods (onions, garlic, asparagus)
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Omega-3 sources (wild-caught salmon, grass-fed beef, walnuts)
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High-fiber foods (beans, legumes, nuts, seeds)
Drink plenty of filtered water daily, and limit inflammatory foods like:
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Soda (both diet and regular)
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Coffee
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Margarine and vegetable oils
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Packaged and fast foods
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White bread, rolls, and bagels
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Snack chips and crackers
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Sweets, pastries, and artificial sweeteners
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Farm-raised fish
2. Boost Your Omega-3 Intake—Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory
A deficiency in Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) is a major source of inflammation.
Our processed diets are notoriously low in these healthy fats, which are vital for controlling inflammation and supporting joint health.
In addition to eating more wild-caught fish, consider supplementing with a high-quality fish oil like VitalMega-3. It delivers a potent 600 mg of EPA and 400 mg of DHA—plus Vitamin E, which supports cartilage formation and joint flexibility.
3. Try Acupuncture, Chiropractic, or Physical Therapy
These therapies are powerful allies for joint pain relief:
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Acupuncture has been used for over 2,500 years to ease pain and restore balance.
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Chiropractic care can improve spinal alignment, reduce nerve interference, and relieve pressure on painful joints.
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Physical therapy strengthens muscles around affected joints, improves mobility, and enhances overall function.
I can personally attest to their benefits. Over my 33 years of running and 23 years of martial arts, I’ve used all three to recover from injuries—and they work wonders.
4. Get Regular, Gentle Exercise
Exercise is crucial for managing arthritis.
Strength training reduces pain, stretching and yoga improve flexibility, and water-based exercises take pressure off the joints while strengthening muscles.
Always check with your doctor before beginning a new routine—and then move your way to relief!
5. Limit Nightshade Vegetables if They Bother You
Some people are sensitive to nightshade vegetables, which contain alkaloid compounds that may trigger joint inflammation.
If you have arthritis, try eliminating them for a month and see how your body responds. Then reintroduce them slowly to test your sensitivity.
Common nightshades include:
Tomatoes, potatoes (white only), eggplant, peppers (all kinds), paprika, cayenne, pimentos, goji berries, gooseberries, and tobacco.
Sweet potatoes and yams are fine substitutes.
Support Your Joints the Natural Way
You don’t have to rely on risky painkillers to feel better. When you reduce inflammation naturally and support healthy cartilage, your body can begin to heal itself.
See how much better you can feel when you give your joints the care they deserve!
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
