Act before you think As common as arthritis is, most of us don't spend a whole lot of time thinking about it. Until it's too late, that is. But a new Australian study shows that there's a simple way to make sure it's never too late, and that we can continue on never thinking about arthritis, let alone struggling with it. All it takes is exercise. I've written before about how it can relieve existing arthritis pain. But this study looked specifically at exercise's ability to prevent the onset of arthritis altogether. And the researchers found that participants in their 70s who exercised for 75 minutes per week (that's just a little over an hour) reported fewer symptoms of pain and stiffness than those people who were less active. Tack on another hour or so to your weekly total and you'll have even less chance of arthritis pain -- and that protective effect will last at least three years, according to the study. That's not an unattainable goal. If you did 25 minutes of physical activity just three times a week, you'd hit the 75-minute quota. And upping it to 30 minutes five times a week gets you the ultimate protection. Keep in mind, too, that the activity doesn't have to be in the form of high-intensity aerobics. The researchers recommended simple, low-impact, and -- dare I say -- enjoyable activities like walking, swimming, and tai chi. The point isn't what you're doing or how much you're sweating, just that you're moving. What is...tai chi? Tai chi is one of the Chinese martial arts. It involves slow, methodic movements that are intended to increase the circulation of chi, or life force. There are several traditional styles of tai chi that are named after the families from which they originated, but there are dozens of hybrid, new, and offshoot styles that have been developed in recent years as the popularity of this activity has grown. Nutrition & Healing Sources:
"Get moving, Grandma! Exercise fights arthritis," MSNBC (www.msnbc.com), 4/4/07
"Relationship between physical activity and stiff or painful joints in mid-aged women and older women: a 3-year prospective study," Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007; 9(2): R35 | 
