Controlling Rheumatoid Arthritis Naturally
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA),is an autoimmune disease. It progresses in three stages. The first stage is the swelling of the synovial lining, causing pain, warmth, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint. Second is the rapid division and growth of cells, or pannus, which causes the synovium to thicken. In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage, often causing the involved joint to lose its shape and alignment, more pain, and loss of movement.
As an autoimmune disease the immune system reacts to something in the system, and those immune complexes deposit in the joints, and cause inflammation, the resultant inflammation systematically destroys the joints.
Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Be Controlled and Even Reversed?
We have been told that (RA) is not curable but the pain and deterioration can be controlled with conventional drugs. Let's take a look at a reasonable, common sense, natural approach. Since everyone agrees it is an autoimmune problem why not start there?
Something in the system is likely triggering the inflammatory autoimmune response. Is it likely that the "trigger" is a whole, unprocessed food or something man made or chemically altered? Why not remove all food additives and chemicals from the diet and see what happens? This is a dramatic change in diet and lifestyle but your long term health is at stake. Whole food eating is the way to go. There is no one alive, regardless of present condition who can't benefit from a whole food diet and positive lifestyle.
The traditional diets of people in the Mediterranean region tend to be high in fruits, vegetables, fish and olive oil, and comparatively low in red meat. A number of studies have linked this style of eating to a lower risk of heart disease, but there has also been some evidence that it's beneficial for people with rheumatoid arthritis, or RA. Some research has suggested that components of the Mediterranean diet, like the healthy fats in olive oil, have anti-inflammatory effects. The diet is also typically rich in antioxidants, which help shield body cells from damage.
Key components of the Mediterranean diet include:
- Eating a generous amount of fruits and vegetables
- Consuming healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil
- Eating small portions of nuts
- Drinking red wine, in moderation
- Consuming very little red meat
- Eating fish on a regular basis
A study in Greece showed that people who had the lowest lifetime consumption of extra virgin olive oil had two and a half times greater probability of developing rheumatoid arthritis than those with the highest lifetime consumption.
Herbal Aids for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Blueberries, cherries and hawthorn berries These berries are rich sources of flavonoid molecules, particularly proanthocyanidins. These flavonoids exhibit membrane and collagen stabilizing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory actions as well as many other actions that are very beneficial in the treatment of RA.
Boswellia The herb has a unique anti-inflammatory action, much like the conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). But unlike NSAIDs, long-term use of boswellia is generally considered safe and does not lead to irritation or ulceration of the stomach.
Celery Seeds help clear uric acid from the joints of gout and arthritis sufferers.
Chinese Skullcap has confirmed anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory actions.
Devil's Claw Root is effective in reducing the inflammation of connective tissues, as it dispels uric acid.
Licorice acts in the body like cortisone, without the harmful side-effects.
Parsley Juice is effective in combating and flushing out uric acid from the tissue, which eases painful limbs and joints.
These two nutrients are referred to as “chondroprotective agents,” which supply the raw material necessary to produce new cartilage, and may even help rebuild worn cartilage.
Glucosamine is composed of glucose (a sugar) and glutamine (an amino acid). It is utilized by chondrocytes to form glycosaminoglycans (GSG) and proteoglycans (PG). Both of these constituents attract and bind water into cartilage, increasing resiliency.
Chondroitin is classified as a glycosaminoglycan. It bonds with collagen to form the basis of connective tissue. Chondroitin helps attract fluid into proteoglycans, thereby bringing nutrients into cartilage and providing shock absorption. While glucosamine helps manufacture and maintain cartilage, chondroitin keeps cartilage from becoming malnourished. Chondroitin works synergistically with glucosamine, and these two nutrients form the basis of most joint health supplements on the market today.
Exercise...Gentle exercise that does not aggravate joint pain will help to keep joints limber and promote circulation through joints. Exercise is an essential adjunct in the treatment of arthritis. Exercise also helps to attain and maintain a healthy body weight.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you do not have to accept the idea that it will do nothing but get worse. That is simply not true. But to change it's course requires a committed effort and major changes in life style. Become aware of the body, mind, spirit connection. Change your thinking and you change your life. Nothing is more important than feeling good.
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