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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: ARTHRITIS
Description:
Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. The bodies movable joints are called synovial joints and they are the knees, wrists, elbows, fingers, toes, hips, shoulders, and between the vertebrae of the spinal cord. All of these joints are typified by joining two bones with a layer of cartilage surrounded by a fluid-filled capsule made up of ligaments. The fluid inside the joint is secreted by a thin membrane, the synovial membrane, that lines the inside of the joint capsule. In a healthy joint it provides for the bones within the joint to smoothly glide past each other. A healthy joint has a thin layer of synovial fluid and smooth cartilage. Arthritis results when either of those features is no longer true.Symptoms: Arthritis is characterized by pain, swelling, stiffness, deformity or diminished range of motion.
Incidence: More than 50 million Americans suffer from arthritis or related conditions.
Causes: Painful joints can have a variety of causes. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage covering the bones deteriorates either because of a prior injury or a defect in the protein that makes up the cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are types of inflammatory arthritis in which the body’s own infection-fighting immune cells attack joint tissue and cause inflammation with pain, redness, heat and swelling. The chart below provides additional information on the types of arthritis, number of people inflicted, typical age of onset, and symptoms.
|
Type of Arthritis |
U.S. Incidence |
Typical Onset Age |
Symptoms |
|
|
Osteoarthritis |
15.8 million |
Over 40 |
Stiffness and pain on movement of joint. Symptoms develop gradually over years with inflammation not present until later stages when it is often accompanied by joint enlargement. Joint mobility may be limited and be accompanied by grating sensation. |
|
|
Rheumatoid arthritis |
2.9 million |
25-50 |
Joint stiffness; swelling in joints and soft tissue around joints that can occur with or without pain and can get progressively worse or remain the same for years before progressing. |
|
|
Spondyloarthro-pathies (including psoriatic arthritis, ankylogins spondylitis, Reiter’s syndrome |
2.5 million |
20-40 |
A group of arthritic disorders affecting the spine, causing pain, stiffness, inflammation, and changes in posture. |
|
|
Gout |
1.6 million (85% male) |
40 |
Joint pain and swelling (usually limited to a big toe, or occasionally other joints in the foot, the knee and sometimes the wrist and elbow. |
|
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Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis |
250,000 |
under 18 |
Joint stiffness, often in knee, wrists, and hand. May involve kidneys, heart, lungs, and nervous system. |
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Infectious arthritis |
100,000 |
any age |
Body aches, chills and fever; confusion, dizziness, low blood pressure, pneumonia and shock; redness, swelling, tenderness and throbbing pain in the affected joint. |
|
Treatments: Diet, nutritional supplements and exercise can bring relief.
Nutrients
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Bromelain |
As directed on label 3 times daily with meals |
An enzyme that helps stimulate production of prostaglandins and helps digestion of protein. |
|
Pantothenic Acid |
500 – 1000 mg. daily |
Especially for rheumatoid arthritis; vital for the production of steroids in the adrenal glands. |
|
* Glucosamine Sulfate |
As directed on label |
Important for formation of bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and synovial (joint) fluid. |
|
Primrose oil or salmon oil |
As directed on label twice daily, before meals |
To supply essential fatty acids that increase production of anti-inflammatory prostagla- dins. Helps to control arthritis pain and inflammation- tion. |
|
*Sea Cucumber |
As directed on label |
A rich source of specific compounds found in connective tissues, especially joins & joint fluid. |
|
*Turmeric |
As directed on label |
Has antibiotic, anti- inflammatory and anti- oxidant properties. |
|
*Ginger |
As directed on label |
A strong antioxidant and effective antimicrobial agent for pain and soreness. |
|
*Green tea extract |
As directed on label |
Contains numerous compounds that have anti- oxidant and health-enhancing properties. |
|
Vitamin E |
400 IU daily |
An antioxidant that protects joints from damage by free radicals. |
|
Calcium |
2,000 mg. daily |
Needed to prevent bone loss. |
|
Magnesium |
1,000 mg. daily |
Needed to balance with calcium. |
|
Copper |
3 mg. daily |
A cofactor for lysyl oxidase, which strengthens connective tissue. |
|
Zinc |
50 mg. daily. (Do not exceed 100 mg. daily from all supplements. |
Needed for bone growth, often deficient in arthritis patients. |
|
Coenzyme Q10 |
60 mg. daily |
Increases tissue oxygenation to aid in repair of connective tissues. |
|
Free form amino acid complex |
As directed on label |
To supply protein, needed for tissue repair. |
|
Kelp or alfalfa |
As directed on label |
A rich source of minerals needed for good skeletal health. |
|
*Manganese |
2 mg. daily |
Needed for normal bone growth. |
|
Selenium |
200 mcg. daily |
A powerful antioxidant |
|
Vitamin B complex |
50 mg. 3 times daily |
Good for swelling. |
|
Vitamin C |
3000-10,000 mg. daily, in divided doses. |
Free radical destroyer with anti-inflammatory effect |
Herbs:
Alfalfa contains all the minerals essential for bone formation, and may be helpful for arthritis. It can be taken in capsules or in whole, natural form.
Cat’s claw and feverfew are helpful for relieving arthritis pain and soreness.
The hot peppers known as cayenne (capsicum) contain capsaicin that relieves pain. Capsaicin can be absorbed through the skin; mix cayenne powder with enough wintergreen oil to make a paste and apply it to painful joints, or use cayenne peppers in a poultice. Capsaicin causes a stinging sensation when first applied to the skin. Cayenne can also be taken in capsule form.
Other herbs that can be beneficial for arthritis include brigham tea, buchu leaves, burdock root, celery seed, corn silk, devil’s claw tea, horsetail, nettle, and parsley tea and yucca.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that you include the following foods in your diet:
 | Sulfur-containing foods, such as asparagus, eggs, garlic and onion. |
| Foods containing the amino acid histidine, including rice, wheat and rye. |
| Fresh pineapple, which contains the enzyme Bromelain. |
| Some form of fiber, such as ground flaxseeds, oat bran or rice bran. |
It is recommended that you reduce and/or avoid the following:
| Milk, cheese, red meat, caffeine, citrus fruits, paprika, salt, tobacco, and everything that contains sugar. |
| The nightshade vegetables (peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, white potatoes). |
| Iron supplements, or a multivitamin containing iron. Instead, consume iron-containing foods such as molasses, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, fish, lima beans, and peas. |
Additional recommendations:
| For relief of pain, try alternating cold gel packs with applications of heat. Hot tubs and baths may provide relief. |
| Take hot showers or baths in the morning to help relieve morning stiffness. |
| Take a free-form amino acid complex regularly to help repair tissue. |
| Consider having a hair analysis to determine the levels of toxic metals in your body. Lead levels have been found to be higher than normal in some arthritis sufferers. |
| Check for possible food allergies. Many sufferers of neck and shoulder pain have found relief when they eliminate certain foods. |
| Spend time outdoors for fresh air and sunshine. Exposure to sun prompts the synthesis of vitamin D, which is needed for proper bone formation. |
| Get regular moderate exercise. Bicycle riding, walking, and water exercises are good choices. Avoid weight-bearing or impact exercises that put stress on joints. |
| If overweight, lose the excess pounds. Being overweight can cause and aggravate Osteoarthritis. |
Considerations:
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as
ibuprofen (found in Advil, Nuprin and numerous other products), indomethacin (Indocin)
and piroxicam (Feldene) are commonly prescribed for relief of arthritis pain.
Unfortunately, these drugs also can have side effects. At least l in 100
people taking NSAIDs on a regular basis develop stomach ulcers or experience
severe gastrointestinal bleeding, potentially dangerous side effects. These
drugs also can cause kidney or liver damage.
| Diclofenac sodium (Voltaren), a drug often prescribed
for arthritis, may cause serious liver problems in some cases. People who take
it should be monitored very carefully.
| For some individuals, the ulcer drug sucralfate (Carafate)
may give the same relief as aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs without
damaging the stomach lining.
| Acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol, Datril, and others)
may be a better medication for osteoarthritis than NSAIDs. In many cases, it
may be able to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis as well as ibuprofen and it
is relatively safe and inexpensive. However, it is important not to exceed the
recommended dosage, and it should not be used by persons who consume alcohol.
If taken in excessive amounts or in combination with alcohol, this drug can
cause liver damage.
| Drugs do not always help everyone. Some people who use
drugs obtain only partial relief. | |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No. 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
705-17 |
Scientific Joint Program |
Contains all of the * products on nutrient table. Take as directed on label. |
$36.95/120 |
|
941-15 |
Omega 3 Fish Oils |
Contains all of the * products on nutrient table. Take as directed on label twice daily, before meals. |
$7.98/100 |
|
889-15 |
Alfalfa 500 mg. Tabs. |
As directed on label. |
$2.25/100 |
|
NS00012 |
Bromelain 5000 Caps. |
1 tablet 3 times daily with meals. |
$8.80/60 |
|
140-151 |
Calcium/Magnesium/ Zinc Tabs. |
1 tablet daily |
$5.25/100 |
|
239-15 |
Evening Primrose Oil 500 mg. |
2 tablets daily before meals. |
$8.99/100 |
|
947-12 |
Coenzyme Q10 30 mg. Caps. |
2 tablets daily. |
$13.95/60 |
Sources:
|
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
by James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C. |
