How to care for your joints naturally

Repair damaged tissue

Glucosamine, MSM and GOPO are nutrients that can help repair tissue. They can be taken together or combined with the painkillers on the previous page.
● Glucosamine stimulates cartilage production and repair and, in studies, it's been shown to thicken cartilage on knee joints. Try BioCare's JointGuard (£23.50 for 300ml, from health stores), which combines glucosamine with fish oils, and ginger to help joint flexibility.
● MSM (methyl sulphonyl methane) aids collagen formation, making ligaments and tendons strong and flexible. It also helps maintain the cushioning between joints. Higher Nature's MSM Glucosamine Joint Complex (£4.30 for 30 from www.bodykind.com) also contains vitamin C (to support collagen and tissue renewal), ginger and nettle (to keep the joints flexible), and celery seed (for muscle comfort).
● GOPO, from rose hips, has a reputation for reducing joint pain and stiffness, and has been found to switch off the genes that trigger inflammatory joint destruction, while switching on those that produce collagen and cartilage. GOPO is only available in LitoZin (£19.99 for 120 capsules from Boots).