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ARTHRITIS
There are two major
forms of arthritis:
Osteoarthritis
the most common kind and Rheumatoid
arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a
progressive, degenerative disease of the joints, which
typically occurs with aging whereas rheumatoid arthritis
affects younger people and is characterised by an overactive
immune system, which inadvertently attacks the joints
of the body.
Over 80% of people
over the age of 50 will have joint damage as a result
of osteoarthritis. The good news is that natural remedies
are now available, which not only halt the progression
of this disease but stop its inception in the first
place.
Osteoarthritis is caused
by a combination of factors including genetics, aging,
malnutrition, free-radical disease and repetitive stress
on joints. What occurs is an increasing loss of cartilage
leading to the breakdown of the joint, which results
in pain, and restriction of movement.
Natural treatments
target the underlying cause and prevent the progressive
destruction of cartilage.
CARTILAGE PROTECTORS
GLUCOSAMINE SULPHATE
This substance provides the raw material for the regeneration
of cartilage. This facilitates healthy joint function
and prevents those degenerative changes that may accompany
the aging process.
A number of studies
have demonstrated glucosamine sulphates efficacy in
reducing joint pain, tenderness and swelling and restoring
mobility. Demonstrable changes are noted after a 4-10
week period.
CHONDROITIN SULPHATE
A number of supplements used to treat arthritis incorporate
chondroitin sulphate in their formulation. This is because
these substances perform complementary functions.
Chondroitin sulphate
attracts water onto the cartilage matrix and prevents
enzymes from destroying cartilage. This nutrient provides
the building blocks for the formation of healthy cartilage.
GREEN-LIPPED MUSSEL
EXTRACT
Studies show that arthritis sufferers benefit when they
take this nutrient. Green-lipped mussel extract makes
proteoglycans, which is an essential component of cartilage.
Positive changes will be experienced over a three-month
period.
BOVINE CARTILAGE
Like shark cartilage this nutrient provides the biochemical
components, which can be utilised to make chondroitin
sulphate. Aside from providing the essential nutrients
to repair ailing joints bovine cartilage also has anti-inflammatory
properties.
A five-year trial conducted
on bovine cartilage showed that patients experienced
significant pain relief after sixty days of taking this
nutrient and had markedly less joint degeneration over
the five-year trial period.
METHYL SULPHONYLMETHANE
(MSM)
Sulphur is a vital component of collagen and there is
some evidence to indicate that MSM builds stable cartilage
while reducing inflammation.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
AGENTS
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to
reduce chronic inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids are
found in evening primrose oil, borage oil and black
currant seed oil while omega-3 fatty acids are found
in fish oil and flaxseed oil.
Experimental evidence
indicates that when these nutrients are taken for an
average of six months, stiffness, pain and joint swelling
are considerably reduced.
CETYL MYRISTOLEATE
(CMO)
There is speculation that CMO reduces inflammation by
inhibiting an enzyme called lipoxygenase, which initiates
the inflammatory cascade. Some studies have shown that
CMO reduces pain and improves mobility.
HERBS
COX 2
Cox 2 inhibitors are the new generation of non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory agents that do not appear to have
the same adverse effects on the stomach which has included
dyspepsia, ulceration and bleeding.
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
is the prototype of the new COX 2 inhibitors, which
promises to have the same effects as the traditional
drugs such as naprosyn, voltaren and brufen without
the downside. However since Celecoxib became available
in September 1999, in Australia, at least 758 adverse
event reports have been received.
The most common untoward
effects have included skin rashes, nausea, dizziness
and dyspepsia. These reports have even included four
deaths but in each case a causal link with the drug
has not been satisfactorily established.
There are herbal alternatives
to the COX 2 inhibitors, which work, in the same fashion
without side effects.
TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA)
Turmeric inhibits inflammation both by suppressing cyclooxygenase
and lipoxygenase two of the major enzymes responsible
for the inflammatory process. This herb also has antioxidant
properties, which makes it doubly effective as an agent
for treating arthritis.
GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALIS)
Ginger has a similar mode of action to turmeric. Ginger
also contains antioxidants of very high potency and
using fresh ginger in cooking can be a very tasty means
of fighting arthritis. Other herbs that have been shown
to benefit arthritis include: Boswellia, Devil’s claw,
Willow bark and Celery seed.
ANTIOXIDANTS
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is vital for the synthesis of new collagen
in cartilage and elderly people with arthritis have
been found to be deficient in vitamin C. This essential
vitamin prevents certain enzymes from dissolving cartilage
and stimulates the formation of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins
that helps to build healthy joints.
VITAMIN E
Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant with anti-inflammatory
properties. Vitamin E has been shown to benefit arthritis
patients by improving pain and swelling.
OLIGOMERIC PROANTHOCYANODINS
(OPC)
(Grape skin extract,
Pine bark extract)
These marvels of nature have been found to be more potent
that vitamin C or vitamin E. In fact they are able to
regenerate these ailing vitamins worn out by the ravages
of free-radical destruction. OPCs promote collagen formation,
which is essential for healthy cartilage, and prevent
the accumulation of collagenase enzymes that inhibit
the formation of new collagen.
THE DIET
The following are general guidelines for arthritis sufferers:
1. Increase your intake
of fruits and vegetables. This should include carrots,
berries, grapes, beetroot, cabbage, broccoli and kale.
2. Minimise your intake
of toxins, which includes alcohol, caffeine, sugar,
fried foods and saturated fats.
3. Avoid red meat,
dairy and gluten found in wheat, rye, oats and barley.
This means consuming gluten free bread, cereal and pasta.
Exclusion of foods from the nightshade family such as
tomatoes, potatoes, aubergine and peppers may also be
helpful.
4. Drink at least seven
glasses of filtered
water daily.
Rheumatoid
arthritis
Dr Michael Elstein
Spa Chakra
The Wharf
Woolloomooloo
NSW 2011
AUSTRALIA
Phone 02 9368 0888
Int: 61 2 9368 0888
Fax: 61 2 9380 2950
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