HEALTHY LIVING

by

Eva Warren

Healing Arthritis Naturally



What is arthritis? If you are over forty five years of age, you may have noticed some stiffness creeping into your joints. It may start in the fingers, feet, hips, or knees. While sitting, standing or walking you may notice pain in the hips or lower back. As you move through your day it may ease up. This inflammatory condition is generally known as arthritis. The pain, stiffness, swelling and sometimes deformity of arthritis can be hard to deal with. This chronic degenerative process will continue if changes are not made. A nutritional program designed to restore your joints may help.

There are several types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and lupus are some types of arthritis that plague individuals. The most common is osteoarthritis. We will look at this type of arthritis and consider the natural ways to heal it.

Have you given up hobbies you enjoy such as gardening, painting or playing your favorite instrument? Is the pain and stiffness of arthritis causing you to not be able to do your job? Moderate exercise and good nutrition may work better than drugs according to Susan Lark M.D. She states in a newsletter booklet that you don’t have to shut down your life to manage the pain of osteoarthritis. Dr. Lark has worked with many patients of all ages for over two decades. She furthers states that the pain medications taken for arthritis do not get to the underlying causes. These COX-2 inhibitors suppress the creation of new cells, therefore they may actually hasten the breakdown of the cartilage.

The rubbery tissue which covers the ends of our bones and cushions our movements is cartilage. Cartilage is found throughout our bodies. It is between each vertebrae in the spine. Our ankles, fingers, wrists, neck, jaw, hips, knees, etc all have a cushion of cartilage between the bones. Our joint cartilage is about eighty percent water. The remaining twenty percent is made up of collagen fibers, chondrocytes, and proteoglycans.

Cartilage gets its integrity and strength from the collagen fibers. Proteins known as proteoglycans bind to water as our joints move, lubricating the joint as it is moving. Glucose is used by the chrondrocytes to repair and build the living cells which form collagen fibers and proteoglycans.

Cartilage wears away over time. Excess weight, an injury or repetitive movements such as dancers, computer operators or athletes may take a toll. Menopause with less estrogen available is also connected to loss of cartilage.

With the cartilage wearing away our bodies try to compensate. Bone spurs may result from our bodies trying to repair damaged cartilage. Inflammation may result in the joint lining as our body tries to repair or replace the damaged tissue. The injured joints may further develop painful cysts and nodes. Can this be reversed?

Chances are you may eat a typical American diet. Refined sugar, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, white bleached flour, caffeine, red meat and dairy foods all contribute to osteoarthritis. This is a very acidic diet. To overcome and reverse osteoarthritis we must eat a more high fiber alkaline diet.

Vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, whole grains, legumes and healthy choices of protein are essential for a healthy body. Green foods have a detoxifying effect and are very alkaline and healing to an ailing body. Good protein sources such as tempeh, tofu, beans not only rebuild the body but also helps in women with the loss of estrogen due to menopause. Salmon, tuna, halibut and trout are not only good protein sources but also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed is a good choice as well. The fatty acids help reduce morning stiffness and fight inflammation in the joints. Avoiding tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, tobacco and potatoes, all members of the nightshade plants may help keep inflammation at bay.

Certain nutrients help fight inflammation, rebuild cartilage and keep joints healthy. Look for a formula which contains glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). Cartilage synthesis takes place when glucosamine sulfate is available. In double blind studies osteoarthritis participants using glucosamine got better long term results than those using pain relievers. A minimum of 1500 mgs of glucosamine sulfate is recommended. Chondroitin works along with glucosamine by blocking enzymes which damage cartilage. Chondroitin also enables water and nutrients to absorb into cartilage. 400mg of chondroitin taken two times a day is recommended. MSM works along with glucosamine and chondrotin to nourish injured cartilage with nutrients and blood flow. Range of motion may improve. MSM is anti-inflammatory, a potent antacid and has analgesic properties as well. Up to 1500 mgs of MSM is recommended daily.

SAM-E has been tested in studies and shown to rebuild cartilage and ease the pain of osteoarthritis. Walking became easier for participants of an eight week study. Over seventy percent of the participants showed improvement. A recent report in Woman’s World magazine on SAM-E suggests taking 1200mg on an empty stomach. This article states SAM-E works as well as RX without all the side effects.

Osteoarthritis is not an easy condition to deal with. Losing weight, getting exercise, eating healthier and taking natural supplements may help a person coping with this sometimes debilitating condition. It may be hard to give up some of your favorite junk foods but one must start slowly and incorporate these healthier foods into our daily diets. Your body will thank you. This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe or treat anyone. Always check with your health practitioner.

Until next time I am wishing for you the very best in health.

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Eva is a graduate of the American Institute of Holistic Theology and practices as a Doctor of Naturology. You may reach her at littleherbshoppe@hotmail.com

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