Is there a connection between rheumatoid arthritis flares and a sedentary lifestyle? Can getting outside stave off flares due to increased vitamin D production? Can getting active in the sunshine keep inflammation down so sufferers can work out for weight loss? In my experience, the answer is yes. Hopefully, by sharing that experience, I can help you too.
Here's my story:
A recent arthritis flare sent me to the doctor's office, not once, but twice. Both times, I received a prescription for prednisone. Both times, the flare returned with a vengeance. I'd never felt pain like this before. Getting out of bed in the morning was a painful struggle. This was no way to live. Thankfully, I've come up with an interesting combination that keeps arthritis inflammation down to a dull roar.
My 'cure' came about accidentally. I’ve never been one to accept inevitability. I just couldn't stand the idea of being crippled for life. I decided to fight back by getting out and about during the day. I started spending a lot more time outdoors in the sunshine and a lot less time at my desk writing. At the time, I knew nothing about the connection between vitamin D and rheumatoid arthritis. I just knew I wasn't going to accept a limited lifestyle. I was taking back my life.
Turns out, staying active outdoors really made a difference in my pain level. While I wasn't completely pain free, the more time I spent being active outdoors, the less pain and swelling I had. So, I started spending the better portion of my day in our backyard pool, gardening or on my bike. I had started raising the bar out of stubbornness. I knew staying active kept rheumatoid at bay. What I didn't realize was, it was possible to work back to my old level of fitness a little at a time, even with those quickly worsening arthritis symptoms.
Now, I needed to know why. As an online writer, it was only natural for me to turn to the internet for answers. The more research I did, the more I learned about the connection between vitamin D and rheumatoid arthritis. As it turns out, some experts even believe our modern lifestyle may be the reason arthritis is so prevalent today. In other words, the more time we spend indoors, being entertained, the more susceptible we are to conditions such as rheumatoid.
Are you suffering from rheumatoid arthritis?
If so, vitamin D and a considerably more active lifestyle may turn the tide for you too. Be sure to get the majority of your vitamin D from the sun. I'm told it's more effective than supplements. Plus, doing so gets you up off your chair and out into the real world. If you're like me, you'll start feeling better gradually. Guess what? I've even lost 5 pounds in the last few weeks. Hopefully, by this time next year, arthritis pain will be a distant memory.
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