Q: I have no cartilage left where my ankle/foot meets (where my foot bends) due to two injuries in the past. I have had all sorts of treatment, including acupuncture, but the only thing that really works, although for only a month at most, is an injection in two places in that area. Is there any dietary help for me? I take good supplements, and my chiropractor has given me a supplement (Ligaplex II) which seems to help somewhat. I practice yoga, do stretching, whatever I can think of, but without an injection every six months although I wish I could do it more often, I relapse into terrible pain.
A: You will probably need at least 7.5 grams of EPA and DHA per day in addition to all the other things you are doing. The more you follow the anti-inflammatory Zone Diet to reduce arachidonic acid levels, the better your progress will be.