No surgery. No medication. No drastic measures. Just healthy joints—for life!
In this groundbreaking book, leading orthopedic surgeon and former NFL player Richard Diana, M.D., applies his unique experience and training to tackle join pain. Based on cutting-edge research that has clarified the crucial role of a molecule known as NFkB in regulating inflammation, Dr. Diana's proven eight-week program teaches you to harness the power of this research to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and rejuvenate your joints.
THIS SCIENTIFICALLY-BACKED PROGRAM INCLUDES:
—Â� Which delicious foods reduce inflammation
—Â�Â� Simple exercises tailored to your ability
—Â�Â� The right supplements to help increase your mobility
I sort of read this in bits and pieces over the past year. some good info and well explained for a lay person. it's hard to buy into taking all those supplements though, although he does explain why he recommends them. The football stories were totally random and not super relevant. Writing was okay...some actionable plans, I suppose.
BOOK REVIEW: 'Healthy Joints for Life' Explains Reasons for Joint Pain, Provides Non-Surgical Methods of Eliminating Pain
Richard Diana, M.D., author (with Sheila Curry Oakes) of "Healthy Joints for Life: An Orthopedic Surgeon's Proven Plan to Reduce Pain and Inflammation, Avoid Surgery and Get Moving Again" (Harlequin trade paperback, 352 pages, illustrations, appendixes, index, $17.95) is unique in the history of both pro football and medicine: He's the only board certified surgeon to have played in Super Bowl XVII. He was a running back and special teams player for the Miami Dolphins under legendary Coach Don Shula.
Diana's book is fun to read -- something I never expected from a health and medicine book-- as well as informative and potentially life saving because of his anecdotes of his playing days for one of the best coaches in NFL history. His patients want to know everything about a real college student athlete who was drafted by the NFL and played for the legendary Ohio native Don Shula.
Now 84 and retired, Shula was renowned for his no-excuses approach to football, and life in general, Diana writes. From what I gleaned from reading this very accessible book, the good doctor has adopted Shula's philosophy whole hog.
Dr. Diana's eight-week plan for treating for treating joint pain and arthritis is unusual for a surgeon because it relies on exercise and especially diet modification to make life more comfortable for joint pain sufferers. In my experience, surgeons think about surgery 24/7, so it's refreshing to find one who believes it's best to try non-surgical approaches, leaving the surgery as a last resort.
Based on cutting-edge research that has clarified the crucial role of a molecule known as NFkB in regulating inflammation, Dr. Diana's proven eight-week program teaches you to harness the power of this research to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and rejuvenate your joints.
Dr. Diana explains in scientific detail:
• Which delicious foods reduce inflammation
• Simple exercises tailored to your ability
• The right supplements to help increase your mobility
Dr. Diana explains the science behind joint pain and tells us what foods to avoid. I wasn't surprised to find an emphasis on healthy foods like wild salmon and colorful vegetables. Avoid what I call the South of the Mason-Dixon Line Diet, where everything you can imagine -- and somethings you couldn't imagine -- is fried and you're well on your way to reducing the inflammation behind joint pain. Drink green tea instead of coffee (ouch! I love coffee, but I know I drink too much of it), cut out sugar, increase your fiber and reduce your carbs, etc. etc. Dr. Diana tells all!
I must be either lucky or doing the right things all along -- or both -- because in my mid-70s I have no joint pain. When everybody was running, I said "No, thanks" and walked a lot, something Diana says is good for you. I more or less (more now, less in the past!) watched my diet. On the advice of my cardiologist, I've dropped about 30 pounds and have kept those pounds off for nine months now.
When I lived in Wisconsin, California and West Virginia, I would cross country ski whenever I had a chance. The original form of skiing, cross country or Nordic avoids the joint stress of Alpine or downhill skiing. It's to walking what Alpine skiing is to running, I like to say. Nordic skiing is probably the most aerobic exercise you can do and you can get exercise equipment to simulate that exercise in your home -- but only if you consult your doctor.
Joint pain strikes people of all ages, so get your hands on "Healthy Joints for Life" and practice the exercises and dietary recommendations the "Jock Doc" provides in this fun-to-read book.
Healthy Joints for Life is a well-researched and documented plan from Richard Diana, M.D., who retired from the Miami Dolphins after Super Bowl XVII to attend Yale School of Medicine, going on to become a surgeon and orthopedic consultant to the Boston Red Sox. It's inspirational to have a physician recommend holistic alternatives to avoid surgery and other diseases caused by our Standard American (SAD) Diet and sedentary lifestyles.
Dr. Richard Diana has compiled a thorough guide to change your lifestyle and lessen the inflammation that causes joint pain and many other health problems.
I totally agree with his diet recommendations, as the processed foods he takes off the "to eat" list are detrimental to everyone's health. More and more, data supports his recommendations of a diet of grass-fed beef (and I would include organic or free-range chicken and turkey too), wild-caught salmon, a rainbow of vegetables and low-glycemic index fruit, and complex carbs in the form of starchy vegetables, whole grains and beans. He offers options for vegetarians, vegans (excluding dairy), and those who don't like fish.
I don't think anyone can really argue with or not benefit from his suggestions to minimize sugar and simple carbs, maximize fiber, eat more fruit and vegetables, eat the "right" proteins, avoid unhealthy fats, maximize healthy omega-3 fats, eat smaller portions more frequently throughout the day to prevent uncontrolled hunger, and forgive dietary lapses when they happen and get back on the horse or plan.
The supplement list is a little daunting; the readers have to decide for themselves how far they want to go with Dr. Diana's suggestions in this regard, based on their level of pain and the degree of inflammation they are experiencing.
I read this book for my own interest in health, as well as to look for suggestions for my mother who has arthritic joints. Like many of the patients Dr. Diana has encountered, I find her lacking in motivation to change. "Why not just pop another extra-strength pain reliever?" she asks. As a proponent of natural alternatives, I have motivated my mother with some of his suggestions, like being able to travel to visit your grandchildren and play with them, looking your best, and being able to sit in the theater or church without crippling stiffness when getting up. His exercise regimen is a bit rigorous for her, but she has been able to follow some of his suggestions with increased flexibility now, and I have enjoyed incorporating his recommendations into my regular fitness routine to stave off joint paint.
What motivates you to exercise or change your diet? I'm very interested in this as I finish writing The Chakra Diet. Dr. Diana recommends digging deep and finding the key that will motivate YOU, whether it is:
Being able to play with your kids/grandkids. Being active with your friends, spouse and loved ones. Wanting to look your best. Rewarding yourself - perhaps with a shopping spree or day at the spa. Being able to play a sport that you love, such as tennis, golf or running. Being able to engage in daily activities free of pain.
I'm interested in hearing WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO CHANGE. Please email me with your answers or comment at Becca's Inspirational Book Blog.
The science in the book is compelling, but if you find it a little too complex or dry, you can skip past the technical info and toward Dr. Diana's interesting stories, case studies and scientifically sound plan, and give it a fair try.
Through this book, Dr. Diana hopes to be able to extend his unique expertise on the non-conventional treatment of joint pain to a large population, one that he would otherwise not be able to reach.
Namaste!
Becca Chopra, author of The Chakra Diaries, Chakra Secrets and Balance Your Chakras, Balance Your Life Becca@thechakras.org
The author is both a former Superbowl player and an orthopaedic surgeon.
He explains a lot about the makeup of joints and tissue cells, and how our diet and exercise can cause harm. Inflammation by itself is a serious issue and sustained compression of joint tissue, such as lengthy kneeling, is damaging.
I'm always pleased to see books advocating simple steps towards sustained good health. The food tips given here and sensible exercise ideas would benefit most of us. Cutting out trans-fats and smoking, as well as corn syrup and sugars, is recommended. Taking the right amount of Omega-3 and Omega-6 foods (oily fish, eggs, etc.) with antioxidant foods (blueberries etc.) will help in many ways.
The molecular biology described here, while great for those interested, may be too complex, at length, for a general readership, and the football stories Diana relates mean nothing to people outside America apart from telling us that athletes damage their joints. This is why I am not giving more stars. I do recommend this book, because when your joint health is gone, it's gone.
This well-researched, well-designed book has a straightforward 8-week plan for eating, exercise and supplements to decrease inflammation and joint pain. Unlike many of the latest health guru authors, Richard Diana does not insist on 3-day detox or no-gluten and no casein diets. Everything in moderation. His plan is a good starting point for trying to reduce pain and inflammation from aging, arthritis and injury. And if his plan doesn't do the trick, you are halfway to taking bigger steps like giving up gluten.
I liked how in detail he described what causes joint pain. And the remedies to help it. I also liked his lists of foods to eat. It was very detailed but easy to understand. I also liked the examples of recipes in the book. He also showed in detail the exercises to help with joint pain. Very well written book.
Book Info Paperback, 352 pages Expected publication: January 28th 2014 by Harlequin (first published October 1st 2013) ISBN 0373892705 (ISBN13: 9780373892709) edition language English other editions None found Source:Netgalley EARC
No surgery. No medication. No drastic measures. Just healthy joints for life!
In this groundbreaking book, leading orthopedic surgeon and former NFL player Richard Diana, M.D., applies his unique experience and training to tackle join pain. Based on cutting-edge research that has clarified the crucial role of a molecule known as NFkB in regulating inflammation, Dr. Diana's proven eight-week program teaches you to harness the power of this research to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and rejuvenate your joints.
THIS SCIENTIFICALLY-BACKED PROGRAM INCLUDES:
• Which delicious foods reduce inflammation
• Simple exercises tailored to your ability
• The right supplements to help increase your mobility
My Thoughts
As a person who is feeling the daily effects of inflammation pain this book seemed like just the thing I needed to read to help me in my quest to relieve one of the pitfalls a person living with Multiple Sclerosis battles. I soon found that if followed exactly my entire kitchen would have to be emptied of every processed food stuff that my family and myself consume. Needless to say some of those items will never leave my pantry, refrigerator or freezer shelves but the good part is that with the breakdown of what items are helpful to combat inflammations effects some things can be done away with over time rather than all at once!
Dr. Diana has penned what could be for many of us a wonderful life changing step into taking control of one’s pain from inflamed joints. I feel that although the science in this book far outweighs the common man’s vernacular, if you take it as a whole, there is no reason why with time and dedication to the outlined program using it to change to a healthier lifestyle the program would be of great benefit.
My downfall was the fact that rather than a paperback hard copy this was a digital ARC which, in my own opinion, does not lend itself well to making a good guide for anyone to follow. The information contained within seems to be sound, pretty basic and straight forward to follow but again without the ease of flipping “real pages” it for me would be a waste of space on my Kindle and something that unless I actually bought the hard copy paperback book version to refer back to easily would probably never be utilized.
The facts are laid out in a manner that while a bit dry does help to create an understanding of the why, the what and the how inflammation occurs. More importantly the points made by including actual examples reinforce just how important it is to start taking seriously how debilitating inflammation can be and in most patients lives already is!
While the advice and guidelines that the author has formulated do not involve a degree to implement them this is a time intensive and, perhaps for some, maybe even a very expensive change to make. It all boils down to whether we are willing to put our health first so that we have better quality of life once those inevitable changes brought about by age start to catch up with us in our later years.
[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]
First, I want to look at the author of “Healthy Joints For Life: An Orthopedic Surgeon's Proven Plan to Reduce Pain and Inflammation, Avoid Surgery and Get Moving Again,” Richard Diana, M.D. He's a graduate of Yale, an orthopedic surgeon, a consultant to the Boston Red Sox, a clinical instructor at Yale School of Medicine, attending surgeon at Yale-New Haven Hospital as well as a former NFL player with the Miami Dolphins. The combination, orthopedic surgeon AND former NFL player, makes for an interesting and well informed read. He knows first hand the wear and tear of hard training can do to joints, and he has the medical background to look for the causes, preventions and cures. (He admits that he is at heart a molecular scientist and provides a lot of the science behind his joint health program.) With all of his credentials, Diana is someone I'll pay attention to when it comes to medicine and joint health.
Now to the chapters in “Healthy Joints For Life.” After an introduction, Part One: Understanding Joint Pain contains five chapters. The topics of these chapters include: Inflammation: The Cornerstone of Disease; Joints: How They Work and What Can Go Wrong; Eat: Foods That Reduce Joint Pain; Support: Supplements; and Move: How Exercise Helps You Move Better and Feel Better.
In these chapters, Diana explains how inflammation is the enemy of our joints and leads to many types of pain. He then goes on to show how the foods we eat, supplements we take, and exercise we perform help reduce inflammation and thus, reduce joint pain. Continuing on the program will not only make one more healthy, but prevent or reduce joint pain that many suffer from. The exercise program consists of aerobic exercise (Interval training recommended), resistance training, and flexibility training.
And while it is backed by science, Diana explains it clearly and uses example from his patients as to how and why this attack against inflammation works. He also throws in some old football war stories that I found entertaining and fun to read.
The second part of the book provides an eight week program to slowly incorporate the plan into your lifestyle. It is written for the person who has not been eating as healthy as Diana recommends and hasn't been exercising. (Due to joint pain or any other reason) It takes a slow approach and works you into eating more healthy, taking supplements, and exercising.
The book also includes an appendix that explains the cell science behind it all for those that want more of the technical science stuff, and a second appendix that explains how the Healthy Joints For Life lifestyle works to battle heart disease and decrease cancer risk.
I found this to be a very good book for general health and especially beneficial for all of us concerned with joint pain as we age. I plan on incorporating more of Diana's suggestions to help keep my joints healthy for life, and I recommend you do too.
Awesome experience! I have achieve more progress in my health that expected at this point. The author manages wisely the steps and the information that is providing every week. The first chapters help you create conscience of how your body deals with inflammation, how is your physical condition and the changes that you really need to make. Really pleased with the book and the results I have achieved and those for sure I will achieve soon.
Like many "healthy living" books, this one has a massive amount of information, a lot of which is very scientific in nature. Dr. Diana does break the facts down to a readable format and intersperses them with snippets of his life as a Pro-NFL football player. He also includes case studies of "regular" people who benefited from his regimen.
In addition to the science behind our aching joints, there are chapters where he espouses on eating right, vitamins and supplements to take (along with warnings and disclaimers for each), and exercise. Like everything else, there is no magic involved in getting better - just the usual caveats of diet and exercise - but the right kinds.
He has an eight week course that outlines what you should be doing each week to get better. At the end of building up through the eight weeks, you should then be at a maintenance level where you can enjoy the results of your labor - but not stop since that would lead back to where you were.
He finishes the work with an extensive bibliography and citations that back up his work - always a good thing to see in a book of this nature.
Overall, except for the science lectures (though honestly, they were informative and well written) this is a good book that can lead you through the steps necessary to gain healthy joints. No matter how well written, like any healthy living book, you are the one who has to do the work.
Recommended for those who want a step up to...step up.
Richard Diana, a professor of orthopedic surgery at Yale and also a former pro football player puts together an informative and simple guide for healthy joints. According to Diana, inflammation is the cause of joint and many other problems of the human body. He focuses on keeping inflammatory agents to a minimum and taking in those supplements and foods that fight inflammation. Coupled with exercise one can achieve success. One of the body's great inflammatory agents is insulin. Yes the same devil mentioned in other works by other physicians who wrote about obesity and diabetes. A diet that does not cause high increases in insulin levels is suggested.
I was fascinated by the read, as I enjoy science writing. Diana's discussion of inflammation--its role in joint maladies and its management kept me mesmerized. I cannot say that I will follow his plan to a T, for his supplementation seems a bit extreme. Nevertheless, other suggestions such as exercise, some supplementation and diet seem reasonable.
Book Micro Review: Healthy Joints For Life by Richard Diana: Scientific Ways To Keep Healthy
An Excellent 8 Week Program Backed With Scientific Facts
HEALTHY JOINTS FOR LIFE: An Orthopedic Surgeon's Proven Plan to Reduce Pain and Inflammation, Avoid Surgery and Get Moving Again written by Richard Diana, M.D. is a good to read book for all health enthusiasts specially the growing lot of readers having focus towards keeping their health intact for a longer period. Dr. Richard used to be a Miami Dolphins player who turned into an orthopedic surgeon thereby helping people from his expertise in sports and medicine arenas.
The book is written in an objective way with excellent scientific reasoning for the programs suggested for the purpose of curing inflammatory and joint pain issues.
In Healthy Joints for Life, Dr. Richard Diana proposes an eight week program to help a person reduce joint pain. The first section of the book explains the anatomy and physiology of the joints and the role of inflammation in joint pain. The author does a good job of explaining these facts and also the role food, exercise, supplements, and exercise have in this process. For this reason, the book has found a place in my reference library. The second section of the book deals with incorporating this knowledge into one's lifestyle. I must admit I found this somewhat daunting, but changing behaviors is usually not easy. I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and would recommend it to anyone with joint pain who wants to "take charge" of their joint health. I also enjoyed the author's NFL stories.
This is a terrific book that confirms what I've learned on my own about how eating can impact your joints. I love the fact that it addresses the problem with a solid plan of attack instead of just putting a bandaid over joint inflammation with a pill.
The book is chock full of scientific information which is easy to understand and vital to complete understanding. The stories of actual patients trials, errors and successes are helpful and encouraging. As a sports fan, I also loved the sports stories.
Included is an eight week program that helps you to incorporate the program laid out in the book, step by step.
If you suffer from joint pain and want to live healthy, I highly recommend this book!
There are a lot of books that say they can reduce pain and keep you flexible. Richard Diana brings a slightly different background to this area. He is a former NFL football player and an orthopedic surgeon. You would think he would say surgery is the way to go but that is not his focus. His program helps you avoid surgery and keep moving. It is a multi-action program that includes supplements. improved diet and an exercise program.
He backs his suggestions with proven research studies. An interesting book and an interesting approach to joint pain. I have a digital copy of the book and I recommend getting a hard copy. The digital copy makes it hard to follow the program. I plan to follow my own advice.
Got this from the sweepstakes. A well organized book that divides into two parts. The first part goes into the biology of the cells, body and joints beside the science of foods. I find it a bit more technical at certain parts especially the backgrounds about the cell biology and joints information. The first part takes majority of the book. The second part is the exercise and diet program which consists 8 weeks. Overall a good resource to know more about the physiology and what types of foods help or don't help with maintaining my joints.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in a healthy diet, even those who do not have problems with their joints. Dr Diana provides a lucid and highly authoritative presentation of how the body processes foods and why certain foods are better for you than others. Highly readable, yet well supported with scientific explanations and literature sources. The illustrations are very helpful as well. You will want to read it once for an overview and then again to fully absorb its contents and suggested dietary recommendations.
I am sold on this comprehensive and thoroughly researched plan for reducing inflammation and joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. I recognise the importance of cellular nutrition in this program and I am pleased that I am already following some of the suggestions here – I will be buying the paperback and the supplements and exercising and modifying my diet as per Dr Diana’s recommendations. I have only my inflammation to lose!
I loved this book. It has so much info on your joints and the food that is good for you to eat. My husband was a body builder when he was younger and since he has gotten older, his joints have began to give him problems. I am really looking forward to him having less pain and I think after reading this book, it will help him tremendously. I won this book in a giveaway and I am so glad I did. If you don't have this book, get it. A must read for everyone.
Healthy Joints for Life by Richard Diana is a first read win and I am giving my honest opinion. This book is a text book for the medical student or informed layman. It goes into joint pain and what is wrong with your current diet and how to improve it by eating joint friendly foods. A lot of our diets cause inflammation of the joints. Adding exercise over an eight week plan with diet until adding back some of your favorote foods.
This is a straight forward and easy to read book. It is chalked full of practical information to take not only care of your joints, but your whole body. Step by step instructions provide a great pathway for success. Highly recommend this book!
Having osteoart and RA, I found this book very informative, with lotscof good suggestions. I avoid meds as much as possible, eat right for inflammation, exercise moderately as I can in my 60's. I have lotscof books on arthritis, etc., and this is in my top 5.
I got this book from GoodRead's First Reads. Although this isn't the type of book I would usually read, I found it very informative and not boring! Kudos Richard Diana!!