Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 types of joint-related conditions but the most prevalent in the UK is osteoarthritis. It is the result of the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones breaking down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint. Some people also have symptoms such as swelling, tenderness or grating or crackling sound when moving the affected joints.
The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints.
“For some people, the symptoms can be mild and may come and go. Other people can experience more continuous and severe problems which make it difficult to carry out everyday activities,” explains the NHS.
If you are on the more extreme end of the spectrum, there are ways to alleviate the pain, however.
One of the most promising solutions is to take rose hip supplements.
READ MORE: Arthritis diet: What foods to eat to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms
In a review of three studies, supplementing with rosehip significantly reduced joint pain in people with osteoarthritis.
Furthermore, those receiving rosehip were twice as likely to report improved pain levels, compared with the placebo group.
Another four-month study in 100 people with osteoarthritis found that those who supplemented with five grams of rosehip extract daily experienced significantly less pain and increased hip joint mobility, compared with the control group.
In fact, 65 percent of the participants in the rosehip group reported some reduction in pain.
Other ways to alleviate osteoarthritis
Exercise is one of the most important treatments for people with osteoarthritis, whatever your age or level of fitness.
The NHS explains: “If osteoarthritis causes you pain and stiffness, you may think exercise will make your symptoms worse.
“However, regular exercise that keeps you active, builds up muscle and strengthens the joints usually helps to improve symptoms.”
As the health body notes, exercise is also good for losing weight, improving your posture and relieving stress, all of which will ease symptoms.
Diet, namely a Mediterranean-style diet, may also alleviate symptoms.
According to the Arthritis Foundation (AF), studies suggest that eating a Mediterranean diet can reduce inflammation in people with osteoarthritis and protect against weight gain, fracture risk and disability.
The diet consists of locally grown fruits and vegetables, healthy fats like olive oil and nuts, whole grains and some fish, yogurt and red wine.
“The disease-fighting power of the Mediterranean diet stems from its ability to regulate inflammation by focusing on anti-inflammatory foods (berries, fish, olive oil) and excluding or limiting pro-inflammatory ones (red meat, sugar and most dairy),” explains AF.