Training & Nutrition - What types of food do I need to eat for achy joints?

The question is simple. I've got achy joints and it's not from riding too much. What do I need to eat?

ibuprofren

Does that actually fix the problem or only dull the pain?

You're talking about it as if there were a magical potion food that could cure whatever it is that's the problem. Aching joints are a pretty vague symptom that could come from any number of causes, so there's no one thing (food or pharmaceutical) that's going to just make it go away.

Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-inflammatory), for what it's worth, and will help some problems that lead to pain, but in other cases it'll just mask symptoms of something that you should be paying attention to. Just like herbs/food/supplements, it isn't a general cure-all.

Pain is a signal from your body that means you're doing damage. If you cover it up and keep doing things the same way, you may continue to do damage. If you think you aren't riding too much, ask yourself if you need to adjust your bike fit, or if you have any chronic dietary deficiencies, or maybe even if there's a chance of an underlying problem such as arthritis.

Did you get your flu shot?

fish oil capsules (and fish like salmon, mackrel and tuna) are known anti-inflamitories.

Also glucosamine/chrondroitin is used for joint pain relief.

I like both products and they can be found in most supermarkets or drugstores.

That said, address what is causing the joint pain as opposed to just covering it up.

Oh; ice!

-L

Did you get your flu shot?

No. I haven't had a flu shot in about 5-6 years. Last time I did I felt terrible for about a week.

You're talking about it as if there were a magical potion food that could cure whatever it is that's the problem. Aching joints are a pretty vague symptom that could come from any number of causes, so there's no one thing (food or pharmaceutical) that's going to just make it go away.

Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-inflammatory), for what it's worth, and will help some problems that lead to pain, but in other cases it'll just mask symptoms of something that you should be paying attention to. Just like herbs/food/supplements, it isn't a general cure-all.

Pain is a signal from your body that means you're doing damage. If you cover it up and keep doing things the same way, you may continue to do damage. If you think you aren't riding too much, ask yourself if you need to adjust your bike fit, or if you have any chronic dietary deficiencies, or maybe even if there's a chance of an underlying problem such as arthritis.

I wasn't asking in the sense as if there is some magical potion. I was asking if achy joints meant I wasn't getting enough iron, or some type of nutrient. If so, what types of foods should I be eating to bring those levels back up to normal?

if all your joints suddenly start aching might be the flu.

could be most anything. as simple as a bit of dehydration. as complex as some obscure chronic disease. do you eat healthy stuff? how long have you been riding? are you a generally fit person? etc etc etc.

so far all I can say is, eat right, drink plenty of fluids, get lots of sleep.

you might also take a nice daily multivitamin and some quality fish oil caps.

Bee stings are well known to relieve joint pain and swellings. Apparently the venom contains several powerful anti inflammatories. Maybe you know some bee keepers nearby.

Does that actually fix the problem or only dull the pain?

it can fix the problem.

a 7 day regimen of 2 doses per day, 600mg, 1200 total per day, can reduce inflammation in the joints,
allowing them to heal up from whatever is causing the inflammation. it gives it a break.


then take 7 days off ibuprofren, and consider the results


ibuprofren is OK to take but at those amounts you give your liver a rest. your liver
takes the hit processing metabolites of ibuprofren and a healthy person will not get
harmed taking it 24/7/365 but if you have liver issues it can make them manifest

so better to do 7 days on, then stop

highly recommended

Check out fish oil and the herb turmeric.

heck you might be hungover.

Without knowing what is causing the joint problems, you are potentially doing yourself some harm. For example, a partial tear of a tendon causes an achy feeling, but if you treat it with anti inflamatory drugs such as ibuprofen you will be inhibiting the body's self healing mechanism.

The question is simple. I've got achy joints and it's not from riding too much. What do I need to eat?


Nevermind what you eat ... how much do you drink during the day (water, fruit juice, etc.)?

Nevermind what you eat ... how much do you drink during the day (water, fruit juice, etc.)?

While at work I'll generally have 3 to 4 16oz bottles of water.

You need a doctor to diagnose what is actually causing the symptoms. It could be many things. Then you will have more chance of doing something about it. It could be lots of things. The sooner you know what it is the better.

It is often a not a case of what you need to eat but what you need to avoid...

From MSN Health:

"How Diet Can Help

Numerous studies show that individual foods and nutrients can either stoke or subdue the inflammatory process. The foods that inflame aren’t new villains: they are saturated fats and trans-fatty acids, along with high-glycemic-index carbohydrates like refined starches and sweets, which the body quickly converts to glucose.

It’s old news that saturated fats and trans fats increase LDL ("bad" cholesterol) in the blood, but we now know that too much LDL can start a cascade of inflammatory events. When it accumulates in artery walls excessively, LDL undergoes chemical changes, including oxidization; the body interprets these changes as "danger" and responds by drawing inflammatory compounds into arteries. This process ultimately results in both the buildup of plaque and chronic inflammation.

The anti-inflammatory prescription, then, begins with avoiding anything that increases LDL, and it’s a familiar refrain: Limit intake of full-fat animal products and read labels to avoid common trans-fat sources like commercial cakes, cookies, crackers, pies and breads. Focus on getting more omega-3 fats, which the body converts to substances that decrease inflammation. And, since elevated blood sugar can stoke some of the chemical changes that render LDL more dangerous, it makes sense to limit your intake of refined grains and other high-glycemic-index carbohydrates like white bread and potatoes.

glycemic-index carbohydrates like white bread and potatoes.

Instead, try to get more of what I call "inflammation soothers": foods that inhibit LDL and help prevent reactions that spark inflammation. The list is long and includes foods high in healthy mono-unsaturated and omega-3 fats (like extra-virgin olive oil and canola oil, fatty fish, nuts and seeds—particularly omega-3-rich walnuts and flaxseed), along with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. (A few surprising "extras" like red wine, cocoa and turmeric have shown promising anti-inflammatory activity in some studies.) Whole grains and legumes are also key. And phytosterols, cholesterol-lowering plant compounds that are turning up in some brands of low-fat yogurt, orange juice, butterlike spreads and granola bars, also may help reduce inflammation.

But rather than just concentrating on individual foods, Kris-Etherton and other experts recommend focusing on an overall dietary pattern that combines these foods for additive and/or synergistic effects. The renowned Mediterranean Diet pattern, rich in plant foods and seasoned with olive oil, is one of many healthy models that fit this description.

Of course, lowering LDL cholesterol remains the cornerstone of reducing your risk of heart disease. But it’s clear that inflammation plays an important role, too, and soothing the flames of inflammation is within our power.

So lose weight if you need to, take a daily aspirin if prescribed and make sensible food choices. As you can see, there’s plenty of common ground between anti-inflammatory eating and healthy eating in general. You’ve undoubtedly heard this advice before, but now there are new reasons to act on it. "

Have you considered the possibility of Lime Disease? One of the tell tale symptoms is achy (arthritis like) joint pain. It's easy to pick up a tick while riding. Some states are much more common for this than others. I agree with 2manybikes, you better have it checked out by a professional before allowing it to get worse waiting for a diet change to help.

How often and long do you ride?

I have borderline arthritis and my knees used to ache when I first started riding. Some was the stress of just exercising too much. I take multivitamins, mineral supplements, fish oil, and glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM. It all seems to help with time.