Arthritis
In the UK alone, arthritis, in its various forms, afflicts an astonishing twenty million people, taking the joy out of life and condemning those more seriously affected to an existence of pain and disability. It is usually thought of as a disease of the elderly, but although the risk of developing some types of arthritis increases with age, one of the saddest statistics is the fact that around fifteen thousand sufferers are children with rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Limited movement
- Swollen, inflamed joints sensitive to touch
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is a very common form of arthritis, which results in the inflammation and destruction of the synovial membranes in the joints, potentially leading to bone erosion. Joints affected may be swollen and painful with a limitation of movement. After some years of damaging inflammation, the joints can become deformed, which makes the condition even more difficult. Very often, many joints are affected, including most of the small joints of the fingers, the wrists, elbows and ankles. The inflammation also extends beyond joints to cause rheumatic pains in muscles. Effective treatment will come from reducing inflammation and easing the pain.
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common form of arthritis that develops when linings of joints fail to maintain normal structure, leading to pain and decreased mobility. It is really a wear and tear condition, brought about by excessive use of one or more parts of the body, e.g. the finger joints or the weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and spine. The condition is slow to progress and very painful when the joint is used. Often the first signs are structural changes in the cartilage, which loses its smoothness, with the consequence that the joint becomes stiff and sometimes immobile. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis tends to affect only a small number of joints, usually the hip, the knee, and the end joints of the fingers or the neck or lower back portions of the spine. It is mainly a condition of middle age and is more prevalent in women than men, but it can occur at any age, particularly in sportsmen and women or people who have suffered some trauma, such as broken limbs. Weight is best kept to a minimum for obvious reasons – the less weight the joints have to carry the better.
Effective treatment will come from reducing inflammation and easing the pain, but also from supporting the health of the joint cartilage.
Supplements that may help to relieve Arthritis
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) vital for the production of steroids in the adrenal glands which reduce stiffness and pain by reducing the inflammatory response in the body
- DL-Phenyiaian’me (DLPA) may act as a pain reliever. Customers with a metabolic disorder known as Phenlyketonurics are unable to digest DLPA
- Green-Lipped Mussel may reduce joint tenderness and improve cartilage
- Chondroitin – may reduce pain and increases joint mobility, and also helps with maintaining synovial fluid within a joint
- Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA) found in Fish Oil anecdotal evidence suggests that omega 3 have an anti-inflammatory action
- Omega-6 fatty acids (GLA) found in Evening Primrose and Starflower Oils are also reported to be anti-inflammatory, and it is also reported to have positive results with rheumatoid arthritis especially
- Bromelain an enzyme that may have an anti-inflammatory action
- Ginger anecdotal evidence suggests that reduces inflammation
- Devil’s Claw may reduce inflammation and may possess pain relieving properties, also popular as a gel for topical application
- Turmeric a herb that may have anti-inflammatory action
- MSM may act as a pain reliever
Complimentary
- Anti-oxidants may protect the joints from damage by free radicals, which cause cell destruction
- Aloe vera may help by repairing damaged tissue by regenerating cells, reducing the inflammation and helping disperse damaged tissue – a type of detoxification process
- Rubbing ointments soothing and warming to the joints, can ease stiffness and improve circulation helping to reduce inflammation
- Aromatherapy oils Rosemary, Juniper or Lavender
- Cider vinegar and Honegar may help drain toxins from around the joints and neutralises any acid build-up around the joints
Recommended lifestyle changes
- Many foods can aggravate this condition; you should eat mainly a whole food diet, avoiding refined foods. Cut down or cut out dairy foods use goat’s milk or soy milk as these are easier to digest. Avoid red meats, maybe using soya protein instead. Avoid acidic foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and sugar.
- Replace tea and coffee with herbal teas and coffee substitute like Nestle tea and Dandelion coffee, which help to flush out toxins. Drink plenty of vegetable juices such as carrot and beetroot, as these cleanse the system and may help inflammation also you should reduce salt intake.
- Obesity is a risk factor in Osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints. Weight loss is reported to be of potential benefit, at least in reducing pain levels. Although exercise may increase pain initially, gentle exercises help people with rheumatoid arthritis. Many doctors recommend swimming, stretching or walking.
