Ronald Hoffman, M.D. - "Nowhere in medicine do we see
sharper distinctions between conventional and alternative
therapies than in the case of arthritis, especially Rheumatoid Arthritis.
The high prevalence of poor outcomes and undesirable side effects in patients
receiving conventional therapy and the beneficial results obtained by patients
using alternative therapies suggests that the latter
should be given greater attention than they are getting. Even by the admission
of many arthritis experts, conventional therapy for arthritis, especially
for Rheumatoid Arthritis, is far less than optimal. The first step
is often palliative therapy with aspirin or other
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin, Naprosyn,
Voltaren, Clinoril, and, most recently, Ansaid and Relafen. These first-line
drugs quench pain and stop inflammation to a certain extent, but they have
little if any beneficial effect on the ultimate clinical course of arthritis.
Some
studies show that they may actually hasten joint damage.These
drugs possess several other unfortunate side effects, especially the tendency
to cause stomach irritation and even severe gastrointestinal bleeding.
Steroid injections for arthritis and bursitis
are another favorite tool of orthopedists. As we’ve noted, they are progressively
less effective, and repeated injections can damage joints and induce
osteoporosis. In the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis, doctors often prescribe
more powerful second-line drugs. These are the so-called DMARDs (disease-modifying
antirheumatic drugs). These agents are designed not just to control symptoms
but actually to delay progression of the disease. Unfortunately, many of
them can cause severe adverse effects. They include such drugs as
hydroxychloroquine sulfate, gold, penicillamine, sulfasalazine, prednisone,
azathioprine, and methotrexate. The last-named is a powerful chemotherapy
drug used in the treatment of cancer. Some of these drugs possess potent
immunosuppressive effects." Danger
of Steroids
Natural Approaches to Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune
disease in which killer T-cells of the body's own immune system (most
likely triggered by invading bacteria) reprogram themselves to attack joint
cartilage, resulting in inflammation and joint destruction. The current
treatment strategies of suppressing immunity and inflammation offer only
limited success since they do not deal with the underlying causes. Osteoarthritis,
on the other hand, is more likely the result of wear and tear or low pH,
but again, standard treatments involving pain killers and anti-inflammatories
address only the symptoms, not the underlying causes. In
both cases, the key to success is to address the underlying causes, which
automatically improves the symptoms.
Greg B. Wilson, Ph.D. and James B. Daily, Jr.,
Ph.D. - "Our health is directly influenced by our
immune system. The onset of almost all infectious and degenerative
disease is preceded or accompanied by inadequate immune response.
With intensifying concerns about the perils of vaccinations
and antibiotic resistant organisms, a new weapon against disease is sorely
needed. Transfer factors are such a weapon, and based
upon almost 50 years of research, transfer factors appear to be highly
effective with few, if any, side effects. If our immune systems are
functioning normally, transfer factors are produced after we are exposed
to infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
Recent research, however, provides evidence that transfer factors, even
from another animal such as a cow, can enable us to develop immunity to
infectious agents before we are actually exposed to them. In addition,
transfer factor administration can accelerate our immune response once
we have been infected. This new approach to optimizing the immune
response to infectious agents promises to revolutionize our approach to
disease prevention and control!"
Effect
of long-term therapy with transfer factor in rheumatoid arthritis.
Specific immunotherapy with transfer factor (TF) was
used in a chronic experiment in a group of 50 female patients with rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) stage I-III. The patients were followed up for 24 months,
clinical and biologic examinations being repeated every 3 months. In this
period the patients received beside the basic nonsteroid antiinflammatory
therapy, one unit TF every week over a period of 6 months then one until
TF every month (10 patients) to the end of experiment. Of the 50 patients
15 (30%) did not respond to the therapy and the experiments had to be interrupted
after 6 months. Excellent, very good and good results were obtained in
35 patients (70%). In 12 patients the response was good but the dose of
TF had to be increased to two units/week in the first 6 months. In 13 patients
the results obtained were very good and therapy with nonsteroid products
+ TF was continued even after the first 6 months. In 10 patients with RA
stage I the results obtained were excellent and after 6 months the nonsteroid
therapy could be interrupted and the therapy was continued only with one
unit TF every month. The study confirmed the fact that specific immunotherapy
with Transfer
Factor represents an important adjuvant in the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis (RA)
Kenneth Bock, MD -
"Because
transfer factors can function as immune system modulators, they can help
to restore immune system balance in many types of clinical situations."Kenneth
Bock, MD, best selling author on immune system modulation.
How
to buy Transfer Factor --- Transfer
factors educational page
Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. - "Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most
common autoimmune disorders, diseases caused by
the immune system attacking the body's own tissues. Autoimmune reactions
may be triggered by infection, tissue injury, or emotional trauma in people
with a genetic predisposition to them. Conventional medicine treats rheumatoid
arthritis (and other autoimmune diseases) with steroids and other immunosuppressive
medications, most of which are toxic when used long-term. Try to avoid
these strong drugs if you can. Patients who are dependent on them are less
likely to respond to natural treatments."
Ronald Hoffman, M.D. - "Bacteria-induced immune reactions. It’s
also been shown that some infectious organisms may not directly induce
arthritis but can set off an immune reaction in the body that produces
arthritic symptoms of inflammation in the joints. The Klebsiella bacteria,
for example, make up part of the normal intestinal flora that inhabit the
gut, usually without any adverse effects. But in a certain genetically
defined section of the population, Klebsiella activates an autoimmune reaction
called ankylosing spondylitis, which involves inflamed, arthritic joints.
There are no bacteria in the joints themselves, but the immune response
triggers the symptoms."
Two broad categories of immune system
disorders or dysfunctions - inappropriate immune response: excessive
or
lacking.
-
Immunodeficiency (lacking or deficient)
- when the immune system does not recognize invaders as being undesirable
and therefore does not mobilize to destroy them.
-
Autoimmunity (excessive or self-destruction)
- when the immune system fails to recognize 'self' as friendly and mounts
an attack on itself" Explaining
Autoimmune Disease by David Isenberg, PhD and John Morrow, PhD.
Hepatitis
B vaccination and rheumatoid arthritis
In October 1998, France became the first country to end hepatitis B
vaccination requirements for schoolchildren, after reports that many children
were developing chronic arthritis and symptoms resembling multiple sclerosis
following the administration of the vaccine. In the US, some experts are
worried about the effects of the still-mandatory injections here. Bonnie
Dunbar, PhD, a Texas cell biologist and vaccine researcher, says, "It takes
weeks and sometimes months for autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid
arthritis to develop following vaccination. No basic scientific research
or controlled long-term studies into the side effects of this vaccine have
been conducted on American babies, children, or adults."
Hepatitis B vaccine might be followed by various rheumatic conditions
and might trigger the onset of underlying inflammatory or autoimmune rheumatic
diseases. The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) released figures
earlier this year showing that the number of hepatitis B vaccine-associated
adverse events and deaths reported in US children under the age of 14 is
exceptionally high, significantly outnumbering the reported cases of hepatitis
B disease in that same age group.
More: Vaccinations, Deception and Tragedy
The
Role of Diet in Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Gout
Malnutrition is the basis of all disease: "Man's body is a living
organism, made of living cells, which require living food in order to be
properly nourished and function well. When we put cooked food into our
body, loaded with contaminants, the body starts to break down. It begins
in the very young with colic, rashes, colds, earaches, upset stomachs,
swollen glands and tonsils. As the child grows older, their may be tooth
decay, pimples, the need for eye glasses, etc. Then as we enter adult life
there is arthritis, hypoglycemia, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and
cancers. All this and a multitude of other diseases are unnecessary and
are nothing but the result of improper diet and lifestyle! Today,
most people accept cooked food as the normal means of supplying the body
with nutrients, not realizing that the living cells of our bodies do not
take nourishment from the dead and artificial ingredients found in cooked
food. And so, after a typical meal of cooked meat, cooked potatoes, a cooked
vegetable and a piece of cooked bread, followed by a cooked sugar desert,
their stomach is full and they think they have satisfied the nutritional
needs of their body. In reality, they have given their body practically
no nourishment. And thus with a full stomach, they are slowly starving
their body's cells."
Learn about The Incredible Healing Powers of
Raw (Living) Foods and Juices
Most
human illnesses and diseases are due to a deficiency of vital nutrients.
When you supply your body with the proper nutrients, in a form that your
body can use, it knows how to repair itself. "The body has the inherent
ability -the vitality -not only to heal itself and restore health, but
also to ward off disease. Illness is not caused simply by an invasion
of external agents or germs, but is a manifestation of the organism's attempt
to defend and heal itself. Prevention Is the Best Cure. Health is a reflection
of how we choose to live." TC Fry
Rheumatoid Arthritis Recovery
with Marine Phytoplankton Nutritional Support - A Testimonial
"In 2004 I began to experience
a lot of joint swelling in my hands, shoulders, knees and ankles. That
pain would simply jump around in my body without warning and I kept going
to the doctor who concluded I had either strained a muscle or had a torn
rotator cup. Eventually after CATS and MRIs showed no problems the doctor
gave me a blood test and when it came back she said that I had Lupus. I
was prescribed a series of medications that made me very ill. After researching
more about lupus it occurred to me that I needed to find a doctor that
specialized in autoimmune deficiencies. I found a doctor who specialized
in autoimmune diseases and after a series of blood test this doctor told
me I had RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis. She said that my RA factors were over
200 and started me on a methotrexate, and other RA combo drugs including,
prednisone, cortisone shots and painkillers. I eventually ended up switching
to other Rheumatoid Arthritis drugs and weekly injections of Enbrel shots.
I was constantly praying for something natural I could take that would
cure this horrible and unforgiving disease. My doctor insisted that
there was no cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis and that I needed to accept
the fact that I would be on medication for the rest of my life, that RA
was not reversible. The side effects of the medications were at times unbearable.
A friend of mine who at one time had stage four pancreatic cancer introduced
me to Marine Phytoplankton and suggested that
I talk to a friend of hers for more information. It was suggested that
I began with 1 1/2 oz of Marine Phytoplankton a day and after 30 days I
should see some change in my body. After being on so many over the counter
drugs and prescribed medications I was a bit reluctant but decided to try
it 3 days after purchasing it. After all, I really had nothing to lose.
Within the first half hour of taking the Marine Phytoplankton I felt. The
swelling had left my hands, completely (this is where the Rheumatoid Arthritis
had settled). Each day I continued to take 1 1/2 oz of the Marine Phytoplankton
and I have not looked back. It has only been 30 days and I have not taken
any medications for arthritis. I have been pain free and I have not had
any joint swelling. This is truly a miracle for me and it is what I have
been looking for. I am recommending it to everyone I know that has RA.
I believe that Marine Phytoplankton is the all-natural
product that is healing my body from the inside out." T. W
Dr. Jerry Tennant, M.D. says that marine phytoplankton contains
almost everything one needs to sustain life and to restore health by providing
the raw materials to make new cells that function normally. Marine phytoplankton
has been called "the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet". Containing
a wide range of trace elements, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll,
enzymes and cellular materials, marine phytoplankton promotes and maintains
optimum health by boosting and supporting all systems within the body.
Its antioxidants and unique polysaccharides can halt the genetic mutations
that can lead to cancer. Both high levels of saccharides and adaptogens
increase energy and stamina by improving our ability to consume and use
oxygen. Adaptogens also improve cardiovascular health by strengthening
the heart and circulation. more
about marine phytoplankton's healing powerHow
to buy Marine phytoplankton
For years people have suspected that foods are an important factor in
the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Many notice an improvement in
their condition when they avoid dairy products, citrus fruits, tomatoes,
eggplant and certain other foods. Initially, the evidence was anecdotal.
A woman from the Midwest once suffered from painful arthritis. Today she
is a picture of health, thin and athletic, and her arthritis is totally
gone. It seemed that dairy products were to blame for her arthritis, for
when she eliminated them from her diet, the arthritis disappeared completely.
Another woman, from Wisconsin, also found that her arthritis was clearly
linked to dairy products. Although she had been raised on a dairy farm,
she learned that staying away from dairy products was the key to relieving
her symptoms.
A 1989 survey of over one thousand arthritis patients revealed that
the foods most commonly believed to worsen the condition were red meat,
sugar, fats, common table salt, caffeine. All foods in the nightshade family
( which include potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant etc ) should be eliminated
as they contain solinaise which inflames the fluid in the joints. Once
the offending food is eliminated completely, improvement usually comes
within a few weeks. Dairy foods are probably the principal offender, and
the problem is the dairy protein, rather than the fat, so skim products
are as much a problem as whole milk. (Profound
Life-Giving Therapeutic Himalayan Crystal Salt)
An increasing volume of research shows that certain dietary changes
do in fact help. For example, polyunsaturated oils and omega-3
supplements have a mild beneficial effect, and researchers have found
that vegan diets are beneficial. Several studies have also shown
that supervised fasting can be helpful.
Iron acts as a catalyst, encouraging the production of these dangerous
molecules. Vitamins C and E, which are plentiful in a diet made of vegetables
and grains, help neutralize free radicals. Meats supply an overload of
iron, no vitamin C, and very little vitamin E, whereas vegetables contain
more controlled amounts of iron, and generous quantities of antioxidant
vitamins. As well as being helpful in preventing arthritis, antioxidants
may also have a role in reducing its symptoms. Some arthritis treatments,
including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, work at least in part
by neutralizing free radicals. For the most part, however, vitamins and
other antioxidants will be of more use in preventing
damage before it occurs, rather than in treating an inflamed joint.
Ronald Hoffman, M.D.- "Certain individuals may have trouble digesting
or tolerating other types of foods, including wheat, corn, and dairy products,
and may develop chronic aches that resemble arthritis. The condition may
not be a classic allergy but a kind of intolerance in which digestive fragments
of certain foods may induce an immune response or mimic other metabolic
components of the body, causing chronic illness. One diet that works with
some people is to eliminate the nightshade foods, which include tomatoes,
potatoes, eggplant, peppers, paprika, and cayenne. Tobacco is also a nightshade.
In fact, there’s an animal model for arthritis: if cows are mistakenly
given fodder that is heavily laced with wild-growing nightshade family
plants, they actually develop a type of osteoarthritis. Anyone who suffers
from arthritis could try avoiding these foods for a month and then gradually
reintroducing them to see whether they affect the symptoms."
Arthritis
Free For Life
Arthritis Free For Life, will give you clear, concise, and easy to follow
step-by-step directions so you can...
-
Get back to living your life without the pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
-
Do everything you have always wanted to do, but were not able to pursue
because of your arthritis.
-
Live your life to the fullest without your arthritis.
Arthritis Free For
Life ebook offers easy to follow, step-by-step program to help you
for the next month of your life. The actual price is minimal, considering
you are probably spending much more each month in prescription medications,
over-the-counter products, and strict diets alone! Neither of those will
get rid of your arthritis - plus you'll have to put up with the side effects.
This is NOT about drug therapies, expensive over-the-counter solutions,
or strict diets that do not work in the long run.
Jan De Vries, Dr.H.Med., Ph.D., D.Ac., D.O., N.D - "In our clinic,
we have a great many rheumatism and arthritis patients, and it is not really
surprising. It is one of the problems we can expect as a result of our
eating patterns, our civilized food, and the stress we live under. All
arthritic conditions are different, but ninety per cent of the causative
factors are chronic resentment, career problems, frustrations, worry, fear,
unhappy marriage, imbalanced metabolism, inherited abnormal chemistry of
the metabolism, self-limiting diseases (like measles, mumps and chicken
pox), traumas and diet. Of these, the main cause is dietary. Diet is where
it all starts. You cannot argue with that because it's basic. You cannot
build good health on a bad diet.
I have travelled around the world to find out why primitive societies,
the so-called uncivilized people, do not suffer from certain illnesses.
And there was one particular group that interested me very much. They had
no arthritis, rheumatism, kidney problems or any of the degenerative diseases,
and they lived in a perpetually humid climate. They had no salt intake
and they ate daily a vegetable like the potato, called "Devil's Claw",
which
has in it every mineral salt necessary for good health.
So really, our eating habits have to change. Many problems, like rheumatism,
arthritis, duodenal ulcers, psoriasis and eczema, are born in an overly
acidic system. Now, the whole mystery of arthritis and rheumatism is
as follows: calcium enters into a solution in an acid medium, and the agent
which helps this is potassium. Most arthritic cases are very, very low
in potassium. So you can see why diet is so important to keep the potassium
at the right level. Your richest sources of potassium are: potatoes, bananas,
dates, figs, molasses, cider vinegar, apricots, raisins, and the best source
is just the normal potato. I have a very simple cure which I recommend
highly. Every morning, get a big potato, wash it well, and then grate it,
and with a spoon, push the juice out of it. You just get a little, that's
all, but you're wide awake for the whole day. And you drink that the very
first thing in the morning, and you have your finest source of potassium,
and it filters the acids out of your system beautifully. It's a wonderful
thing - only with diet and the juice of a raw potato, you can see results
coming after six to eight weeks; you can see the fingers straightening
out." more...
Inflammation and Arthritis
Inflammation is a complex process that causes swelling, redness, warmth,
and pain. It's the body's natural response to injury and plays an important
role in healing and fighting infection. Joint injury can be caused by trauma
or by the wear and tear of aging. But in many forms of arthritis, injury
is caused by the uncontrolled inflammation of autoimmune disease, in which
the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. In severe cases, all
joint tissues, even bone, can be damaged.
In
rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation accompanies thickening of the synovial
membrane or joint lining, causing the whole joint to look swollen due to
swelling in the joint capsule. The inflamed joint lining enters and damages
bone and cartilage, and inflammatory cells release an enzyme that gradually
digests bone and cartilage. Space between joints diminishes, and the joint
loses shape and alignment.
JointEase
Plus is a natural alternative to prescription anti-inflammatory drugs
that combines Devil's Claw with Glucosamine sulphate and Boswellia serata,
both in the forefront of latest developments in the natural treatment of
inflammatory joint and muscle conditions.
Perhaps the most important inflammatory conditions to affect humanity
are the varieties of arthritis and rheumatism. Throughout the world herbal
medicine is used in its treatment. Arthritis is a general term for approximately
100 named diseases that produce either inflammation of connective tissues,
particularly in joints, or noninflammatory degeneration of these tissues.
The word simply means joint inflammation, but because other structures
are also affected, the diseases are often called connective tissue diseases.
The terms rheumatism and rheumatic diseases are also used. Besides conditions
so named, the diseases include gout, lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis,
degenerative joint disease, and many others. Causes of these disorders
include immune-system reactions and the wear and tear of aging, while research
indicates that the nervous system may often be equally involved. About
one out of seven Americans exhibit some form of arthritis. Many of these
diseases are characterized by inflammation in the affected tissue. The
usual signs of inflammation (warmth, redness, swelling, and pain) are often
present.
In some conditions, the inflammation is an immune reaction. This may
be the body's defense against invading microorganisms, but often the immune
reaction against the body's own tissue is of unknown cause. The body seems
to react against itself rather than against an invading microorganism.
Anti-self antibodies react with intact connective tissue and synovial membranes
and thus cause inflammation. A common auto-immune form of arthritis is
rheumatoid arthritis. Whilst the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are due
to inflammation of the connective tissues, the cause is not at all clear.
Characteristically the synovial membranes, or inner linings of the joint
capsules, are chronically inflamed. The synovial mass proliferates and
thereby destroys cartilage, bone and adjacent structures. Widespread inflammation
may involve other tissue leading to painful joints, loss of mobility, and
a 
generalized
soreness and depression. Blood tests often reveal the presence of rheumatoid
factors, proteins produced by the immune system in response to the rheumatic
process. "David
L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.
The
Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book: Protect Yourself and Your Family
from Heart Disease, Arthritis, Diabetes, Allergies
The connection between inflammation and heart disease, arthritis, and
other chronic ailments has become increasingly clear. Many food allergies
and poor dietary choices over stimulate the immune system and cause inflammatory
responses that erode the body’s wellness and pave the path for ill health.
Based on her naturopathic practice, Jessica Black has devised a complete
program for how to eat and cook to minimize and even prevent inflammation
and its consequences. The first part of the book explains the benefits
of the anti-inflammatory diet with an accessible discussion of the science
behind it. The second half contains 108 recipes. The author offers many
substitution suggestions and includes a healthy ingredient tip with each
recipe. Most of the dishes can be prepared quickly and easily by even novice
cooks. A week of sample menus for summer months and another for winter
are included, as well as a substitutions chart, allowing readers to modify
their favorite recipes to increase their healing potential.
The
Inflammation Syndrome : The Complete Nutritional Program to Prevent and
Reverse Heart Disease, Arthritis, Diabetes, Allergies, and Asthma
What is the Inflammation Syndrome? It’s the cumulative effect of low-grade
inflammation–including the aches and pains we all experience–that grows
into chronic debilitating disease. This book, the first major book on the
syndrome, reveals the powerful role that inflammation plays in a wide variety
of common health conditions–from simple aches and pains to heart disease,
obesity, diabetes, Syndrome X, arthritis, asthma, and athletic injuries.
Drawing on cutting-edge research conducted around the world, Jack Challem
provides a revolutionary approach to healing inflammation-related problems
through an easy-to-follow nutrition and supplement program. He also shares
the latest information on C-reactive protein, one of the marker s o f serio
us inflammation. This book, quite simply, shows you how to feel better
for life.
Natural remedies can harness the body's innate healing mechanisms, speeding
up the healing process while also providing pain relieving, anti-inflammatory
and soothing properties. Best of all, they can do this without the side
effects and complications sometimes associated with many prescription drugs.
Safe and Effective Alternative to Steroids
Transfer Factor
Hyper inflammation influences our health and aging process. Other nutrients
are promoted for inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme that causes inflammation.
There are many body chemicals, cells and molecules that create inflammation
through different pathways in your body. Transfer
factors appear to influence and regulate many of these pathways.
Marine phytoplankton
works on the roots of inflammatory conditions in general, and arthritis
in particular. The cell membrane of each cell in our bodies is sending
out messengers of inflammation, oxidation, mitochondrial (energy production)
dysfunction, and toxicity. These messengers create the inflammation, or
the pain we feel in our tissues, organs, and joints. Consequently, healing
the cell membrane through nutrition (remember the cell membrane is made
up of fats, sugars and proteins), can reduce those inflammatory messengers.
Much has been written about these messengers (COX1, COX-2, prostaglandins,
cytokines, etc.) Marine phytoplankton not only heals the cell membrane,
thus reducing inflammatory messengers, but it also increases the ability
of our bodies to get rid of toxins that lead to inflammation, oxidation,
and mitochondrial dysfunction. Healing these processes reduces pain. Marine
phytoplankton also have a lot of anti-inflammatory molecules that directly
neutralize the messages of inflammation. Of course, when such blockage
comes from natural food ingredients, such as minerals, antioxidants (zeathanthines,
etc.) flavones, isoflavones, curcumins, etc., one does not find such catastrophic
side effects as we do with the pharmaceuticals mentioned above.
Marine phytoplankton can also establish homeostasis
in the intestinal structure and function, which has been shown to be the
main source of inflammation everywhere in the body. "Leaky
gut" develops with poor nutrition, which is the reason inflammation
in the intestines (a very common problem), spills out to end up in every
cell of the body. (J. Gastroenterology 2005;129:827, "The clustering of
other chronic inflammatory diseases in Inflammatory Bowel Disease." J.
Rheumatology 2003;30:11, The gut in Ankylosing Spondylitis, AS, and other
spondyloarthropaties: inflammation beneath the surface.")
Also, inflammation of the liver and endothelium is increased by toxins
such as heavy metals. Any food high in antioxidants in general, and Marine
Phytoplankton in particular, will help detoxify these foreign chemicals.
Toxins such as Homocysteine
are produced by our liver, when it lacks enough B vitamins to carry out
its functions, particularly methylation. Homocysteine has been shown to
be an inflammatory molecule, and it's practically present in all diseases
that have an inflammatory component. Of course, FrequenSea decreases the
levels of Homocysteine.
Hugo Rodier M.D. -
"There are very few products that provide all, or even most, of the raw
materials to make new cells and sustain the existing ones. The problem
is that we need ALL of them at the same time for things to work. One of
those rare products that contains almost everything you need for life (and
the rebuilding of a healthy life) is marine phytoplankton.
Where
to buy marina phytoplankton
JointEase
Plus is a natural alternative to prescription anti-inflammatory drugs
that combines Devil's Claw with Glucosamine sulphate and Boswellia serata,
both in the forefront of latest developments in the natural treatment of
inflammatory joint and muscle conditions.
Healing
Crisis (Herxheimer Reaction)
Note
from Shirley
Healing
Crisis:
As with all true natural cure, the road to
better health may begin with a healing crisis. As you move toward better
health with natural healing programs and better nutrition, healing begins
to occur. As part of the healing process the body will begin to discard
toxic residues which have built up in your body over the years. The
healing process usually does not occur without repercussions. During the
initial phase of healing, as your body begins to clean house, (detoxify)
and your vital energy begins to repair and rebuild internal organs, you
may experience headache, uneasiness, flu like symptoms and fatigue.
This is called a healing crisis. You may feel worse before you feel better.
As you continue to improve, you may begin a process called retracing. For
example, if you used to get skin rashes, the rashes may reappear or get
worse for a period of time as your body eliminates toxins through the skin.
You may also experience an initial increase in urination, or you may feel
more nervous. In actuality, you are not getting worse, you are actually
getting better. Eventually you will reach
a plateau of better health. During the healing crisis, it is important
to not suppress these temporary symptoms with drugs or the healing process
may become interrupted. Lean more
about healing crisis
Barbara D. Allan, Author
of Conquering Arthritis writes "Arthritis is a complex disease.
There are many, many things that can cause it. Most people with arthritis
will have several underlying causes. You may (or may not) feel better each
time you correct one of those things. The arthritis itself will generally
continue to progress until all those causes are corrected. Seldom do you
find two people with exactly the same underlying causes. That is part of
what makes healing from arthritis such an art. You have to find the right
remedies for you. If one or more of your causes is unusual, it may take
additional detective work to figure out what is needed in your particular
case. Some of the most common underlying causes (all which are treatable)
are:
-
Delayed food sensitivities,
which can be caused by a whole array of things, including imbalances in
intestinal flora after antibiotics, physical, mental or emotional
stress, anti-inflammatory drugs, too much
alcohol, insufficient stomach acid, and/or celiac disease or gluten intolerance;
more
-
Over acidity
in the body caused by a diet too high in protein, refined carbohydrates
and carbonated beverages;
-
Old fear and anger trapped in
the body;
-
Not moving a joint through its
range of motion on a daily basis;
-
Iinjuries;
-
Bacterial infections, especially
infections of Shigella and Salmonella which cause dysentery, and Chlamydia,
a sexually transmitted infection that may have no overt symptoms; (modulating
the imune system)
-
Inadequate
nutrition. (For instance, not enough vitamin C or other nutrients
in the diet that are important for maintaining healthy joints.)
-
Sensitivity to pesticides,
cleaning chemicals, cigarette smoke, and toxic outgasing from new carpets
and furniture
Green
juice and Herbal Tonics Are My Lifeline
Most people who have explored the wondrously wide avenues of self-healing
have heard about wheatgrass. Wheatgrass juice has been proven over many
years to benefit people in numerous ways: cleansing the lymph system,
building the blood, restoring balance in the body, removing toxic metals
from the cells, nourishing the liver and kidneys and restoring vitality.
One ounce of wheatgrass juice has the vitamin and mineral equivalent of
2.2 pounds of fresh vegetables. It contains most of the vitamins and minerals
needed for human maintenance, including the elusive B12. Many of the benefits
of wheatgrass juice stem from the fact that it is a living food, which
is a complete protein with about 30 enzymes and is approximately 70% crude
chlorophyll.
To
detoxify my blood and to maintain my excellent
health and vitality I drink daily 6 to 8 ounces of freshly pressed mixture
of wheatgrass, parsley, cilantro,
dandelion,
and
bitter-melon-vines juice (in season).
In this green juice, I mix in one tablespoon of bee pollen,
one ounce of fulvic minerals, one ounce
of marine phytoplankton, one teaspoons of AFA
(a fresh water nutritional
plant that has a rapid effects on the circulation and immune system) and
an ounce of shilajit. I grow my own wheatgrass
in flats by my windows and I use a manual juicer. Wheatgrass played a major
role in my health recovery of severe lifelong illnesses. I use the
Handcrank juicer (rust proof stainless steel) specifically designed
to get the maximum juice from leafy plants or grass. (most other juicers
shred the grass or leaf causing a huge mess and no juice.) Shirley
More
on the healing power of green juice and chlorophyll - step by step how
to grow and make wheatgrass juice
The
Liquithon is a journey of a 13 day program of
raw,
liquid wholefood nourishment based upon meal offerings that were
called "rational fastings" in ancient times.
Great American is leading the wholefoods revolution by finding and resurrecting
a treasure house of lost wisdom from antiquity. The Liquithon unifies,
integrates, and harmonizes one's physical, emotional, and mental dimensions
resulting in a more fluid, peaceful, and greater sense of well being. Each
day you will visit each of the seven body systems where your Liquithon
experience will not only cleanse, but will also revitalize, nourish, and
pamper every place in your ‘house’ that so needs and deserves the attention.
The Liquithon is also proving to be a miraculous
weight control nutritional event
as well as a cleansing event and
many are reporting that aches and discomforts and other maladies are shrinking
and or disappearing. Many people are simply dedicating themselves to doing
a Liquithon once a month until they reach their desired weight and health.
Even thin people are discovering the amazing lift that comes from a clear
mind, clean blood, and a strong body.
A Case Study
A team of Scandinavian researchers hit upon a regimen that produced
significant improvements in rheumatoid arthritis. The number of tender
or swollen joints diminished, morning stiffness decreased, and grip strength
improved, as did blood tests used in the assessment of arthritis, although
X-rays of the joints did not. The program was carefully tested in comparison
with standard medical treatment. The
Lancet, a prominent British medical journal, published the report as
its lead article on October 12, 1991. The research team used the following
treatment program:
The patients first began a modified fast for
seven to ten days. During this period, they consumed herbal teas, garlic,
vegetable broths, and juice extracts from carrots, beets, and celery. No
fruit juices were allowed. After the fast, the patients reintroduced a
“new” food item to their diet every other day. If they had any worsening
of symptoms during the following two days, this item was eliminated for
at least seven days. If the item was introduced again, and caused worsening
of symptoms, it was omitted permanently. For the first three to five months,
they eliminated meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, gluten (a wheat product),
refined sugar, and citrus fruits. In addition, salt, strong spices, preservatives,
alcoholic beverages, tea, and coffee were to be avoided, but would be re-eliminated
if they produced symptoms.
Rheumatoid
arthritis diet: Can certain foods make symptoms worse?
Diet has long been claimed to be an important factor in the prevention
and treatment of arthritis. In particular, it is important to avoid eating
an overabundance of acid-forming foods, such as salt, sugar, meat, dairy
products, white flour, processed foods, and to eat alkaline-forming foods,
like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains. Incidentally eating lots of
fresh fruits and vegetables and whole foods may also lower your risks of
developing many other degenerative conditions such as heart disease and
many cancers. Avoid too much coffee, tea, colas; some arthritic sufferers
are sensitive or allergic to foods of the deadly nightshade family and
should avoid those foods – tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, eggplants.
Many people with arthritis have controlled their symptoms or have been
completely cured by using diet.
Eliminating
refined starches, white sugar and other 'junk' food helps reduce chemicals
in the diet and increases nutrient levels. Better quality foods can
be substituted for poor quality foods. Eating many more vegetables
is also helpful. Some arthritis is helped by eliminating allergic
foods. The most common are wheat, spelt, cowís milk dairy
products and soy. Some people benefit by
eliminating citrus fruits and the nightshade family of vegetables - potato,
tomato, eggplant and peppers. Any food can cause a reaction in some
individuals.
How
to Eat Away Arthritis: Gain Relief from the Pain and Discomfort of Arthritis
Through Nature's Remedies Numerous diet books are available
for arthritics, but this appears to be one of the best and most comprehensive.
Aesoph, a naturopathic physician and medical writer who has written many
articles on this topic, covers both traditional and alternative resources.
She gives natural dietary information that may reverse and certainly improve
many cases of arthritis as well as other auto-immune diseases. Much of
her material is not new, but it is refreshingly presented and useful to
have compiled in one place. Aesoph discusses "restorative" foods as well
as "stressor" food to avoid. She also explains food allergies, outlining
simple methods to test for them, and gives medical references for her information.
Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. - Lifestyle changes can moderate autoimmunity,
and other strategies can help you control the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Here are my basic recommendations:
-
Follow a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet;
minimize consumption of foods of animal origin.
-
Eliminate wheat, corn, soy, milk and
milk products including commercial foods made with milk.
-
Avoid all polyunsaturated vegetable oils,
margarine, vegetable shortening, and products made with partially hydrogenated
oils of any kind.
-
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating
more cold water fish, walnuts or freshly ground flaxseeds. You may also
want to consider taking a fish
oil supplement to help keep your protein intake low.
-
Get regular aerobic exercise (swimming is best for those with rheumatoid
arthritis).
-
Practice relaxation techniques. In addition, visualization
can help moderate autoimmune responses, and psychotherapy can help you
change emotional states that keep the immune system off balance.
-
Eliminate or reduce intake of coffee and tobacco as both have been liked
to an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis.
Fish
oils that contain omega-3 fatty acids have been found, in various studies,
to help reduce the inflammation associated with some sorts of arthritis.
These forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis,
are characterised by inflammation. The fish oil seems to work by reducing
the number of inflammatory ‘messenger’ molecules made by the body’s immune
system. There may be additional benefits to eating fish once or twice every
week - researchers from around the world have discovered that the regular
consumption of fish can reduce the risk of diseases ranging from childhood
asthma
to prostate cancer.
References
1. Panush RS, Carter RL,
Katz P, Kowsari B, Longley S, Finnie S. Diet therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis and Rheumatism 1983;26:462-71.
2. Lithell H, Bruce A, Gustafsson
IB, et al. A fasting and vegetarian diet treatment trial on chronic inflammatory
disorders. Acta Derm Venereol 1983;63:397-403.
3. Sobel D. Arthritis: What
Works. New York, St. Martin's Press, 1989.
4. Skoldstam L, Larsson
L, Lindstrom FD. Effects of fasting and lactovegetarian diet on rheumatoid
arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 1979;8:249-55.
5. Skoldstam L. Fasting
and vegan diet in rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 1986;15:219-23.
6. Kjeldson-Kragh J, Haugen
M, Borchgrevink CF, et al. Controlled trial of fasting and one-year vegetarian
diet in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1991;338:889-902.
7. Merry P, Grootveld M,
Lunec J, Blake DR. Oxidative damage to lipids within the inflamed human
joint provides evidence of radical-mediated hypoxic-reperfusion injury.
Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:362S-9S.
Arthritis
Survival: The Holistic Medical Treatment Program for Osteoarthritis
Arthritis can be healed. But the healing will not arise from adopting
a single miracle treatment or taking a magical herb or pill. Living successfully
with arthritis can be achieved by the simple, committed lifestyle changes
and combination of healthful natural and traditional treatments explored
in easy-to-understand detail in Robert S. Ivker's Arthritis Survival.
The twenty-one million Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis are
often also suffering from unhealthy nutritional, physical, and even emotional
lifestyles. Yet too frequently they are told simply to reach into their
medicine cabinet for a cure. While conventional medicine plays an invaluable
role in alleviating the symptoms of this disease, the Arthritis Survival
program will help readers truly relieve their pain and replace it with
a feeling of wellness and hope.
Alternative health writer Brown uses her research and her own bout with
arthritis and fibromyalgia to argue that arthritis
can be reversed. Her theory is that joint disease is caused by poor nutrition,
the build-up of toxins in joints, stress, and energy
blockage. Brown describes how she rejected conventional medicine's treatment
anti-inflammatory
medications, cortisone, and surgery and instead, after some research,
began a trial-and-error, self-treating "eclectic protocol" that included
fasting,
detoxification
with niacin, supplements, clay packs, diet,
yoga, and relaxation. She provides detailed
chapters on these and other therapies such as homeopathy,
acupuncture, and copper bracelets for gout, arthritis, and the soft-tissue
rheumatic diseases. Brown also lists over 23 pages of references to papers
and books on both conventional and alternative medicine.
Ivker, a clinical professor at the University of Colorado School of
Medicine, past president of the American Holistic Medical Association,
and alternative health author (Self-Care
Guide to Holistic Medicine) joined with naturopath Nelson to
develop a holistic self-care program, the "Arthritis
Survival Porgram" that offers "therapeutic options for treating, preventing,
and possibly curing osteoarthritis." In a clear and readable style, the
first chapter, "The Quick Fix," outlines the essentials of the program
and describes herbs and vitamins that can relieve arthritis pain immediately.
With Chapter 4, the book goes into the details of the program, addressing
the multiple causes of arthritis (unhealthy diet and nutrition, poor sleep,
stress, inactivity, environmental causes, negative beliefs and attitudes,
etc.).
Natural Healing Modalities for Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Homoeopathy
Researchers at the Glasgow homoeopathic Hospital U.K. demonstrated
in a small-scale con-trolled study that homœopathy may be particularly
beneficial for patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Twenty-three
patients with rheumatoid arthritis were given conventional treatment using
anti-inflammatory medications together with a homoeopathy preparation (which
was individually prescribed by an attending homoeopathic physician). They
were then compared with a similar group of twenty-three patients who received
the same conventional anti-inflammatory medications but with an inert placebo
homoeopathic preparation. The results revealed that the patients receiving
homoeopathic remedies in addition to conventional treatment showed a significant
improvement in subjective pain, movement (articular index), stiffness and
grip strength, whereas there was no significant change in the patients
who received the anti-inflammatories with placebo. Two physicians were
involved in pre-scribing for the patients and there were no significant
differences in the results, which they obtained. As one would expect, no
side effects were observed with the homeopathic remedies. Gibson
R.G.; Gibson S.L.M.; MacNeil! AD.; Buchanan W.W. Homoeopathic therapy in
rheumatoid arthritis: Evaluation by double-blind clinical therapeutic trial.
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 1980, 9/5 (453-459)
Another study suggested that homeopathic preparation Rheumaselect could
help rheumatoid arthritis has been vindicated by the original research
team.
The researchers from the University of Ulm in Germany stand by their
original findings even though their research had been criticised after
a number of participants had dropped out. Another criticism was that the
statistical evaluation was not based on strict scientific protocols for
research studies. However, the two researchers reanalysed their data according
to the protocols, and still found the findings, which had been based on
a randomised. double-blind research criteria - confirmed that the remedy
was still shown to be extremely effective fur treating rheumatoid arthritis.
Gaus
W, Wiesenauer M, Aktuel Rheumatol, 1993; 18: 159-62
Fasting
Ronald Hoffman, M.D.- "Fasting has
been shown to be therapeutic in some cases for both osteoarthritis and
Rheumatoid Arthritis. Fasting allows the body to detoxify and offers a
break from the onslaught of food antigens that may trigger joint inflammation.
This traditional therapy seems to work in many cases — you go on a fast
and your arthritis gets better. It may help because of food intolerances,
or it may allow your gut to stop supporting the growth of certain harmful
bacteria or fungi that produce toxic byproducts that somehow trigger the
arthritis. In the "leaky gut syndrome,"
a stressed intestinal tract may become permeable to microscopic food protein
particles, allowing them to enter the bloodstream and set up an immune
reaction in the tissue. An overgrowth of harmful intestinal bacteria or
yeast, otherwise known as dysbiosis, may compound the problem. Detoxification
regimens sometimes use fibers like psyllium or absorbent clays like bentonite,
with or without the assistance of colonic irrigations or enemas. It may
also help to replace harmful intestinal flora with cultures of benign bacteria
like Lactobacillus acidophilus from yogurt or supplements."
Acupuncture
Traditional acupuncturists treat the whole person rather than a disease
and therefore attempt to get to the root cause of the problem rather than
treating the symptoms and, like other holistic practitioners, will consider
all lifestyle and environmental factors before commencing treatment. Controlled
medical tudies indicate that acupuncture is an appropriate therapy to adopt
in holistic treatment of Arthritis. Acupuncture has been used to
treat both OA and RA. In a randomised study for OA, the acupuncture group
had a significant reduction in pain, pain medication and clinical parameters,
compared to the no-treatment group; there was an 80% subjective improvement,
with significantly improved range of knee movement. In a clinical study
using acupuncture to treat RA, good clinical results were observed in 100%
of cases. In addition, laboratory immune parameters including natural killer
(NK) activity and interleukin-2 (IL-2) values, increased following acupuncture
treatment.
There are several studies suggesting that acupuncture can be very helpful
in the treatment of arthritis. For instance, a recent study in Russia found
that 73% of patients suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis benefitted from
acupuncture treatment. When acupuncture was combined with UV light treatment
the response rate increased to 93%. In another study, 54 Rheumatoid
Arthritis sufferers were given acupuncture (warm needling) with Zhuifengsu
(chinese herb) The effective rate was found to be 100%. A study of
auriculo-electropuncture (AEP) - treatment of points on the ear - by a
double blind method was conducted in Russia with 16 arthrits patients.
Not only did they all feel better as a result of the treatment but they
all showed "statistically significant" improvement in blood samples.
Hydrotherapy
A recent study found that hydrotherapy is particularly beneficial for
arthritis sufferers. One hundred thirty-nine patients with chronic rheumatoid
arthritis were randomly assigned to receive hydrotherapy, seated immersion,
land exercise, or progressive relaxation. Water therapy
has been used for centuries to heal the sick. Hydro- and hydrothermal
therapy are traditional methods of treatment that have been used for the
treatment of disease and injury by many cultures, including those of ancient
Rome, China, and Japan. Water therapy has been around for centuries. The
ancient Greeks took therapeutic baths. Water is an important ingredient
in the traditional Chinese and Native American healing systems. more
F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.
- "Every function inside the body is regulated by and depends on water.
Water must be available to carry vital elements, oxygen, hormones, and
chemical messengers to all parts of the body. Without sufficient water
to wet all parts equally, some more remote parts of the body will not receive
the vital elements that water supplies. Water is also needed to carry toxic
waste away from the cells. In fact, there are at least 50 reasons why the
body needs sufficient water on a regular, everyday basis. Without sufficient
water to constantly wet all parts, your body's drought-management system
kicks into action. The histamine-directed chemical messenger systems are
activated to arrange a new, lower quota of water for the drought-stricken
areas. When histamine and its subordinate "drought managers" come across
pain-sensing nerves, they cause pain. This is what I discovered in my research
that I mentioned earlier." more
Cayenne
Cayenne is one of the most-often used herbal remedies and is commonly
recommended by herbalists for increasing circulation in people with cold
hands and feet, as a metabolic stimulant for people with sluggish metabolisms
who are overweight, as a warming stimulant with other herbs such as garlic
and ginger for protecting against colds and upper respiratory tract infections,
and externally as a liniment or in ointments for sore muscles, arthritis,
rheumatism, low back pain, strains, sprains, bruises and neuralgia. Studies
show that cayenne may block the feeling of pain by depleting and then blocking
the production of "substance P," which is thought to be the main chemical
messenger of pain from the peripheral sensory nerves to the brain. It may
also be involved with the release of inflammatory substances in affected
joints of arthritis.
Flax
Oil as a True Aid Against Arthritis...
The Flaxseed (Linseed) oil diet was originally proposed by Dr. Johanna
Budwig, a German biochemist and expert on fats and oils, in 1951.
Dr. Budwig holds a Ph.D. in Natural Science, has undergone medical training,
and was schooled in pharmaceutical science, physics, botany and biology.
Ask
the Doctor About Painful Joints
Thomas Cowan, MD, is a physician in private practice in San Francisco,
California, a board member of the Weston A. Price Foundation, and a regular
contributor to "Ask the Doctor"
Conquering
Arthritis: What Doctors Don't Tell You Because They Don't Know: 9 Secrets
I Learned the Hard Way
This book is primarily for two groups of people:
People with an autoimmune type of arthritis.
Autoimmune arthritis may be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, inflammatory
bowel disease arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondalytis,
psoriatic arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Doctors
are just starting to recognize that a sizable number of these cases are
caused by food-related problems. This brings us to our second group of
readers.
People with food allergies, food sensitivities or food intolerances.
More than 70 medical conditions have been linked to food-related problems.
These conditions include arthritis, myalgia, fatigue,
edema, hypoglycemia, diabetes, being overweight
or underweight, premenstrual syndrome,
sleep disorders, candiditis, depression,
and respiratory conditions such as hay fever, asthma,
bronchitis, recurring ear infections, sinus
conditions, rhinitis, laryngitis, allergic sore throat and hoarseness.
Other conditions include digestive problems such as gastroenteritis,
irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease,
diarrhea, constipation, colic and malabsorption; cerebral conditions such
as headaches, dizziness, learning disorders and irritability; and skin-related
conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, hives and
rashes. By identifying and treating or eliminating food allergies, food
sensitivities and food intolerances, many seemingly hopeless chronic health
problems can be improved or eliminated.
This book is also for Friends and family who provide major physical
and emotional support to someone with arthritis, food allergies, food sensitivities,
or food intolerances. Since these conditions can make a person
too sick and tired to do a good job of finding out about options for healing,
such caregivers often make all the difference in whether someone gets well
or remains sick. Armed with the knowledge in this book, caregivers can
help loved ones learn about how to get well, and help them implement these
proven strategies.
Book reviewer - "I cannot express what a blessing this
book is in our lives. My husband's arthritis began at only 22 years of
age and it was progressing fast. No one in my family has this disease and
I did not know where to turn except a specialist. We saw a specialist for
a few years, and I always asked was there nothing more we could do to cure
the arthritis? I could not believe that he would have to be on medication
for the rest of his life. Since he was in his early twenties, this would
mean years and years of constant, daily medication. Of course this would
eventually mean problems with other parts of his body due to medication
intake. I still did not know where to go to find a cure rather than just
an immune supressant. Then, he came home one day after an appointment with
his doctor involving a new set of x-rays. He was now being told that his
bones were starting to be eaten away and bones in his left hand had most
likely fused together. He was still only 27 at this point! I could not
imagine what permanent consequences would come over the next years and
I could see him not being able to play with our little boy or do anything
with his hands in the future. This pushed me to stop at nothing to find
the cure. I knew it had to be out there, but where? After tons of research
and reading, I found the cure!!! I cannot begin to express my thanks to
the author and her research and her sharing with the world. I just can't
understand why the medical community does not know, or if they know, why
they don't share the knowledge. My husband is in college and this very
night was studying Rheumatoid Arthritis in his anatomy class. They have
NO information on how diet and food sensitivities can cause RA and they
state they know of no cure or really good medications. It just blows me
away that millions of people suffer when the cure is out there, available,
and really not difficult. If you or someone you know has RA, please get
a hold of this book! I was unsure about the cost, but boy am I glad I tried
it out anyhow! We found that corn is his sensitivity, which makes cooking
a little more tricky at first, but once we figured out what he can and
cannot eat, we are doing great! It took a little effort in the beginning
to find the ingredients that will work, and we had to adjust recipes, but
he eats totally normal. In fact, we all eat more healthy now. And I don't
mean bran and tasteless food. We eat everything we ate before, but now
it is fresh and from scratch. He has been off ALL medication for almost
6 months now and we are on our way to complete recovery. His right hand
is totally normal now, and we are soon going to try the recommended trigger
point method to fix his "fusion". The info here WORKS!!!!!! It takes dedication
and a short lifestyle adjustment, but what a blessing everything in this
book has been."
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis:
In osteoarthritis, cartilage breaks down and the bones rub together. The
joint then loses shape and alignment. Bone ends thicken, forming spurs
(bony growths). Bits of cartilage or bone float in the joint space.
Osteo-Arthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease) is the most common form
of arthritis, affecting about one out of every six Americans, including
80 percent of persons over the age of 70. Most have few, if any associated
symptoms, and the disease is diagnosed only because X rays of the vertebrae
show characteristic spurs or because the fingers are knobbed by bony proliferations
(Heberden's nodes) at the distal interphalangeal joints. In some the spurs
encroach on nerves as they emerge from the spinal canal and produce nerve-root
syndromes. In others, the malpositioned joints are a source of ligamentous
strain and abnormal muscular tension. The result is pain that becomes worse
as the day goes on.
These degenerative processes are in part caused by wear and tear. They
affect primarily weight-bearing joints and joints subject to trauma or
to malpositioned anatomy. Joints damaged by other forms of arthritis are
prone to later degenerative joint disease. Heberden's nodes are more prominent
in the right hand of right-handed individuals and in the fingers of typists.
Traumas produce microfractures in the cartilage that lines the articulating
surfaces exposing raw underlying bone. The bone cells then release enzymes
that destroy the protein and polysaccharide components of bone. Frayed
pieces of cartilage may be taken up by white blood cells and thus add an
element of inflammation.
Stop
Osteoarthritis Now: Halting the Baby Boomers' Disease by Harris H.
McIlwain, MD
"There is a natural remedy that many are unaware of," reported Harris
H. McIlwain, MD, The treatment? A combination of conditioning and strength-training
moves that almost anyone can do. "Exercise is the easiest and most guaranteed
way to ease pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia--the
two most common forms of arthritis," McIlwain said. With increased years,
the chances of getting osteoarthritis increases, as the body becomes less
efficient at repairing itself. After age 50, 80 percent of America's population
is affected to some degree with osteoarthritis, showing signs of pain and
stiffness. Likewise, more than 10 million Americans have fibromyalgia,
mostly women ages 40 to 55, which causes deep muscle pain, depression and
fatigue. "Imagine what 50 years of use and 200 pounds of weight can do
to your muscles and joints," McIlwain said. "But this exercise program
will help to maintain a normal weight and keep aging muscles strong and
joints lubricated. For fibromyalgia patients, exercise will reduce deep
muscle pain, ease depression and promote healing sleep." McIlwain believes
in this treatment so strongly that he developed a step-by-step treatment
and prevention plan for his patients. The activity-based program he promotes
helps to stop these forms of arthritis and gives patients a higher quality
of life. "I even see elderly patients who, by staying on this exercise
and strength-training program, are able to feel great improvement with
reduced pain in just a few weeks," McIlwain contended. "Many have delayed
or prevented worsening of arthritis with this plan." Helping the body heal
itself with exercise is fully described in McIlwain's book.
Another book of interest
An
Alternative Medicine Guide to Arthritis: Reverse Underlying Causes of Arthritis
with Clinically Proven Alternative Therapies
Preventing
and Reversing Osteoporosis : What You Can Do About Bone Loss--A Leading
Expert's Natural Approach to Increasing Bone Mass by Alan Gaby
M.D.
This book offers advice that you won't hear from the average doctor.
Every patient with osteoporosis has already heard the advice "take more
calcium and excercise more", but this author suggests that in addition
to adhering to that advice, folks should also take additional mineral supplements
(including strontium, boron, and several others, many of which the author
documents to be at least as important as calcium in building bone density).
The author also explains exactly why progesterone (not progestin) is a
good thing to take and documents its lack of side effects (which I'm happy
to report has been my experience). No one had ever told me there are natural
compounds other than calcium which are important (perhaps crucial!) to
building and maintaining strong bones.
Common Types of Arthritis Of
more than 100 different kinds of arthritis, these are the most common:
Osteoarthritis Also
called degenerative arthritis. Occurs when the cushioning cartilage in
a joint breaks down. Commonly affects feet, knees, hips, and fingers. Affects
16 million Americans, mostly 45 and older. About half of those 65 and older
have this form.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Immune
system attacks the lining, or synovial membrane, of the joints. Joint damage
can become severe and deforming. Involves the whole body, and may also
cause fatigue, weight loss and anemia, and affect the lungs, heart and
eyes. Affects about 2.1 million Americans, three times more women than
men.
Gout Causes
sudden, severe attacks, usually in the big toe, but any joint can be affected.
A metabolic disorder in which uric acid builds up in the blood and crystals
form in joints and other places. Drugs and attention to diet can control
gout. Affects about 1 million Americans (70 to 80 percent men), with first
attack starting between 40 and 50 years of age. (See "Getting to Know Gout,"
FDA Consumer, March 1995.)
Ankylosing Spondylitis
A
chronic inflammatory disease of the spine that can result in fused vertebrae
and rigid spine. Often milder and harder to diagnose in women. Most people
with the disease also have a genetic marker known as HLA-B27. Affects about
318,000 Americans, usually men between the ages of 16 and 35.
Juvenile Arthritis The
most common form is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis diagnosis,
treatment, and disease characteristics are different in children and adults.
Some children recover completely; others remain affected throughout their
lives. Affects about 200,000 Americans.
Psoriatic Arthritis Bone
and other joint tissues become inflamed, and, like rheumatoid arthritis,
it can affect the whole body. Affects about 5 percent of people with psoriasis,
a chronic skin disease. Likely to affect fingers or spine. Symptoms are
mild in most people but can be quite severe. Affects about 160,000 Americans.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Involves skin, joints, muscles, and sometimes internal organs. Symptoms
usually appear in women of childbearing age but can occur in anyone at
any age. Also called lupus or SLE, it can be mild or life threatening.
Affects at least 131,000 Americans, nine to ten times as many women as
men.
Other forms
Arthritis can develop as a result of an infection. For example, bacteria
that cause gonorrhea or Lyme disease can cause arthritis. Infectious arthritis
can cause serious damage, but usually clears up completely with antibiotics.
Scleroderma is a systemic disease that involves the skin, but may include
problems with blood vessels, joints, and internal organs. Fibromyalgia
syndrome is a soft-tissue rheumatism that doesn't lead to joint deformity,
but affects an estimated 5 million Americans, mostly women.
Dr.
Steve Nugent - "Without exception, every North American now has
in his or her tissues 300-500 known toxins that were not in existence before
1940. So, where has all the poison come from? Shortages of natural materials
during WWII prompted the creation of synthetic chemicals. For example,
scientists developed nylon when they ran out of silk for parachutes. Natural
rubber ran in short supply, so they developed synthetic rubber. A shortage
of butter produced oleomargarine. Plastics were developed during this time
period. Toxins are everywhere. The problem is not confined to North America,
although the studies have been done in the USA and Canada. Because of the
nature of wind, rain and weather, we know that the entire planet is surrounded
with toxins. Almost every known toxin and farm pesticide on the planet
can be found in places as remote as the North Pole. Scientists doing studies
there drilled through the polar ice cap, sank a camera through the pole,
and found nearly a foot of brownish greenish goop that, similar to many
industrial chemicals, refused to freeze. Contained in the muck were DDT,
dioxin, and PCB's as well as hundreds of other chemicals. Ours is a closed
eco-system....which we cannot escape. The studies identify up to
500 toxins. It should be known that the instruments were calibrated for
up to a maximum of 500 toxins "
Dr. Ted H Spence, DDS, ND, PhD/DSc, MPH - "Detoxification comes
in many forms and refers to many different programs
that cleanse the body of toxins. Today, our environment is toxic and the
foods we eat, even the air we breathe and the water we drink is laden with
chemicals foreign to our system. Therefore, everyone is undergoing some
type of detoxification to maintain life and health. Although basic detoxification
begins with diet, detox programs may include nutritional fortification
for the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels and blood. Detoxification for
the body may refer to the cleansing of the bowels, kidneys, lungs, the
liver or the blood, since these are the organs involved in detoxification
of chemicals and toxins from the body. The liver acts as an in-line filter
for the removal of foreign substances and wastes from the blood. The kidneys
filter wastes from the blood into the urine, while the lungs remove volatile
gases as we breathe." more
Natural
Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Arthritis Conditions
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you have a question about holistic animal health or need help with your
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