Nourish Cartilage and Reduce Joint Pain With This Natural Drink Recipe

Many of us are aware that as we age we will likely be joined by new aches and pains. Despite how common joint pain is, enduring the pain instead of seeking help can lead to an increase of pain and a worsening of symptoms. We all want to feel great as we age, but that can sometimes feel like a difficult task. By taking care of ourselves and our joints at all ages and stages of life, we’ll be able to feel strong and radiant throughout all of our years.

Factors that May be Contributing to Your Knee Pain

The view that joint pain is simply the result of aging can be a very dangerous thought for many people. This thought can lead people to endure their pain rather than seek the medical advice of a doctor. Joint pain can be a sign of a much bigger problem, and continuing on undiagnosed can lead to more medical problems in the future. 

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and it occurs when the protective cartilage on the end of bones wears down. It can happen on any part of the body, but it most commonly affects the joints in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. Symptoms of osteoarthritis can’t be reversed, but they can be managed[1].

If you are experiencing knee pain it is important that you consult a doctor to deduce if it is caused by osteoarthritis, which is generally associated with aging.

Injury

When a part of the body is injured, particularly around the joints, it is possible for the pain symptoms to continue even after the initial period of healing.

Post-traumatic arthritis is a common form of osteoarthritis which occurs from an injury to the joint and it affects approximately 5.6 million people in the United States[2].

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient for strong bones. It helps to maintain blood calcium levels and it regulates calcium and phosphorus, which keeps bones and teeth hard. A deficiency in vitamin D causes brittle bones and weak muscles. Other symptoms include fractures hip and pelvis, bone pain and tenderness, tooth decay and even hearing loss[4]. Try these Vitamin D soft gels from NOW.

Whatever the culprit of your joint pain may be, there is one magic ingredient that will help to decrease your pain and strengthen the cartilage around your joints: Gelatin. While most of us are familiar with gelatin as an ingredient in Jell-O, we aren’t all aware of the artificial sweeteners and colors that go into the jiggly food, making it not-so-healthy to eat. Luckily, with our all natural drink recipe you’ll be able to receive the benefits of gelatin without ingesting unhealthy ingredients. 

Gelatin Can be Used as a Strength-Builder

If you’ve ever wondered why jello is distributed for nearly every meal in a hospital, then you may not have considered the health benefits of gelatin, one of its main ingredients. 

Gelatin is made from the boiling of animal bones, cartilage, and skin to extract the collagen. Collagen is the fibrous material that connects muscle, bones, and skin in animals and when it’s processed it becomes what we call gelatin[3].

It has a high amino acid profile, and because it is made up of 98-99% protein it has many healing properties for the human body. Ingesting gelatin has been proven to improve bone and joint pain, which makes it a valuable tool for those who looking to strengthen the cartilage around their joints[3].

Gelatin is available in many different forms, from pill to powdered. Gelatin, or Collagen, is an animal product that is generally sourced from marine, bovine (beef), porcine (pork), or chicken. Here are the different types of powdered gelatin and collagen: 

Gelatin Powder – This is best used in recipes. It comes in flavored and unflavored varieties.

Collagen Powder – This type of powder is best used for mixing into hot and cold liquids, and is even used for cooking. Collagen is often used as a supplement because it is easy to mix.

Marine Collagen – Marine collagen works similarly to collagen powder but it is made from the bones, cartilage, and skin of marine animals. This is a good option for those wishing to avoid beef or pork.

When choosing a gelatin brand, as with all animal products, it’s important to look for the highest quality possible. Pay attention to:

1. Where it is being sourced – The animals should ideally be grass-fed and free range.
2. The country it is being sourced from – Closer to home is typically better.
3. The quality of the pasture – Avoid pastures that are treated with chemicals and pesticides.

Gelatin and collagen powder typically have minimal flavor, but they can be added to a number of recipes to enhance the taste while still reaping the benefits.

Natural Drink Recipe to Rebuild Cartilage and Strengthen Joints

If you are experiencing joint pain, the first step in healing is to consult a doctor to deduce if your pain is caused by a primary medical problem, like osteoarthritis. Whether this is the case for you, or you are experiencing primary symptoms of joint pain, incorporating gelatin into your diet can help to rebuild cartilage and strengthen your body.

Luckily there is a simple (and delicious) way that you can harness the benefits of gelatin with this natural drink recipe.

Ingredients:

1 cup of oatmeal

1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder 

2 teaspoons of unflavored gelatin powder

1 cup of natural orange juice (avoid using orange juice with added sugars)

8 ounces of crushed almonds

1 teaspoon of organic honey

8 ounces of water

(This makes 2 servings)

Instructions:

1. Boil the oatmeal for 10 minutes then allow it to cool down
2. Add the cinnamon powder, unflavored gelatin powder, orange juice, almonds, and honey
3. Mix thoroughly in a blender until the mixture is smooth

This recipe makes enough for two servings. You can drink the first glass in the morning, then store in a sealed container in your fridge until after lunch. Drink the mixture twice a day for 15 days in total. 

Storage:

After making your drink it can be stored in a sealed container inside of your fridge. Be sure to shake the mixture well before ingesting. 

Many people view aging from a negative perspective. But, living in constant fear of potential pain will stop you from living your life in the now. Educating yourself will not only allow you to live without unnecessary pain, but it will also help you to feel better on a daily basis, both emotionally and physically. You deserve to feel good every day of your life, and this tasty recipe will help your joints to carry you through each day happily and healthily.