According to some estimates, osteoarthritis afflicts upwards of 80 percent of the North American population over the age of 50. That's an alarming number. It is hands down the most common form of arthritis. With so many people suffering from this often painful disease, one would think that a cure would be imminent. The fact of the matter is that there is no set cure for this degenerative disorder.

There are ways, however, to prevent osteoarthritis from occurring and ways to keep it from getting worse. It mostly depends on the person. Different people respond to different treatments. You can take two similar men (same height, weight, and age) who both have osteoarthritis of the hip, and one man might respond well to an alternative medicine and one man might respond well to steroid injections.

The Best Cure

Osteoarthritis is often referred to as degenerative joint disease. Just like the engine of a car, the human body wears out over time. Some people have to get replacement parts. Hip replacement surgery is used in extreme cases of arthritis and other hip ailments. The patient literally gets a new hip. This is a high-risk procedure that costs a great deal of money to perform.

Leading an active and healthy lifestyle is the best osteoarthritis cure available. A diet rich in vitamins C, D, and beta-carotene will help you avoid this degenerative joint disease. Throw in vitamins B6 and E, zinc, copper and methionine, and osteoarthritis will find your joints even less attractive. Look for a natural cure before you subject your body to the harshness of prescription drugs.