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I have pretty regular knee pain, generally dull aches and stiffness. For the record, I'm 22, and have cerebral palsy. Most of my joint issues have improved since going gluten free or paleo, but not so with my knees.

I'm willing to chalk some of it up to the cold. Though I'm inclined to think some is diet too. does anyone have any thoughts on foods to YES definitely eat, or absolutely AVOID?

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I do not have cerebral palsy but do have knee stiffness and sometimes pain. The "bone broth" answers are appealing. – Tom R. Nov 21 2011 at 2:47

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Hi Caleb--

I've got some thoughts I've been compiling on the subject of pain and nutrition for the past few months. Note that these don't specifically apply to cerebral palsy, although I should probably do some research into that and other nervous system conditions.

No doubt you already eat low omega-6 and sugar. Have you tried the ol' paleo standbys like drinking bone broth and avoiding nightshades? There are some other more creative things to try as well, like cetyl meristeolate derived from the green-lipped mussel. Also, maybe some different sorts of physical therapy exercises/modalities could be helpful. Have you ever heard of low-level laser therapy? It didn't do anything for me, but has helped others.

My overall thought is that there is a step-wise list of things to try, and there are many things out there. The problem is that they cost money. Whenever I get around to putting the above-referenced site up, it would be cool to order the treatments by price:efficacy ratio.

Best of luck!

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You should give a chiropractor a try. Sometimes knee pain is related to tight muscles and joints and/or bad posture. A chiro can work through that.

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massage could help too – Nichole Nov 21 2011 at 3:36
I swear by chiropractic, myself. However, my chiropractor is near my parents' home, not up where I live. I see her when on breaks. =) – Caleb the Hobbit Nov 21 2011 at 5:45
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You must eat cartilage to make cartilage my friend. Try some delicious bone broth! Go to the butcher and get a pound errr two of beef knuckles. Throw em in the Crockpot with a couple quarts of water and some lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (to make the water slightly acidic). Leave it on low heat for at least 24 hours for some deliciously nutritious bone broth! It is full of trace minerals that are bio-available. But most importantly for you, you just made a natural glucosamine supplement. The gelatin in the broth will be great for your knees. Have a cup or two a day and see if it helps… I swear by it. (I have a chronic cardio problem, and have reaped the benefits for my knees) Good luck!

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This is plausible but is there any evidence? – Jay Nov 21 2011 at 14:34
Also, if the goal is to build collagen, vitamin C, copper, and zinc are probably more important than eating gelatin. – Jay Nov 21 2011 at 17:18
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Omega 3s helped me. I take Neptune Krill oil.

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Get MRIs on both knees. ASAP. Knee problems, like cancers, are far better treated early than late.

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Why did someone vote this down. This is within the realm of possibility. – Qua Mar 4 2012 at 9:51
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If you are off gluten but still eating wheat, that could cause knee problems, check out Dr. Davis FB page and blog called Wheat Belly, magnesium could also help you get some relief from knee pain. I read Wheat Belly and I no longer have arthritis pain

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How in the world can a person be gluten-free & still eating wheat? Inquiring minds want to know! – Dragonfly Nov 21 2011 at 20:26
I have the same question. the only grains I eat are corn and rice, and that's rare -- like when going home for the holidays. – Caleb the Hobbit Nov 22 2011 at 15:12
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Bromelain taken a few hours away from a meal is good. Gelatin is good. Both of those seem to take pain away. A few years ago my orthopaedic surgeon told me he'd be replacing one of my knees "right now" if I were 65, but that I was too young to have it done (I was 50 at the time). I started Bromelain and it reduced 90% of my knee pain, as well as the pain in my hands. The gelatin I added this summer and saw more improvement yet.

The added bonus is, these are both pretty cheap!

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