Wheatgrass Juice Charlottesville VA

House Calls—Soothing Achy Joints, Wheatgrass Juice, and Remedies for Asthma

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Arthritis Alternatives

Q I stopped taking Vioxx when it was recalled. Can any natural therapies help my arthritis?

A Loads of them—and many let you avoid the heart risks of Vioxx as well as the ulcers and stomach problems of conventional anti-inflammatories. Some ease pain and inflammation, while others address what drugs don’t: the wearing down of joint-cushioning cartilage at the root of osteoarthritis pain.

The two best-supported cartilage boosters, often sold in combination, are glucosamine and chondroitin. Vegetarians or people with shellfish allergies who can’t go for these (glucosamine comes from oyster and crab shells) can opt instead for a supplement called avocado/soybean unsaponifiables. Hyaluronic acid, newly approved by the FDA, is another promising natural joint protector, though it needs to be injected.

While you’re waiting for the cartilage builder to kick in—which can take weeks—a natural pain- and inflammation-fighter can help, says physician Jacob Teitelbaum, author of Pain Free 1-2-3. You might try fish oil, a topical capsaicin cream, SAM-e, or a combination product like Zyflamend, Wobenzym, or End Pain, an herbal blend of willow bark, boswellia, and tart cherry.

Drink Your Wheaties

Q Is wheatgrass juice really a superfood?

A No—but that doesn’t mean it’s not good for you.

You’ve probably heard the claims: that wheatgrass juice can prevent and treat cancer, lower blood pressure, and even reverse the graying of hair. It’s touted as a food that supplies almost all the vitamins and minerals you need.

Wheatgrass became popular during the sixties as part of the live-foods crusade of Ann Wigmore, a healer who popularized raw foods. As juice bars opened in California, shot-glass-size portions of the juice became a fad.

But according to Kathie Swift, a nutritionist at the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C., there is little research to back such claims.

As a plant-based food, however, wheatgrass juice does likely contain health-promoting antioxidants. Unless you’re allergic to or intolerant of wheat, or have celiac disease, it won’t hurt to add a shot to your smoothie. Just don’t expect it to change your hair color.

How to Breathe Easier

Q Are there any alternative remedies for asthma?

A Yes. But while they may prevent attacks, they can’t be relied on to stop one that’s started, so make sure to use them along with, not in place of, conventional methods.

To manage asthma, New York physician Ben Kligler suggests patients start with their diet. Kligler, who wrote about asthma in Integrative Medicine: Principles for Practice, is among many practitioners who think food sensitivities can increase vulnerability. He puts patients on an elimination diet, cutting out dairy, wheat, and other problem foods one by one. He also recommends daily doses of 300 to 600 milligrams of magnesium—to relax muscles and help airways stay open—and one gram of vitamin C, to protect airways from asthma trigg...

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