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Natural Arthritis Treatment Information

Rheumatoid Arthritis, joint pain, joint inflammation and treatment information.

Is that constant joint pain and muscle irritation something you should be worried about?  Read on to find out.

LET'S START WITH THE ARTHRITIS FACTS:

Arthritis is an umbrella term that encompasses scores of different diseases. The term arthritis literally means joint inflammation. That is swelling, redness, heat, and pain caused by tissue injury or disease in the joint. Already the nation's number one cause of disability, arthritis affects an estimated 70 million Americans, or roughly one out of every four people, with this number expected to grow annually as baby boomers age. Currently, 3 of every 5 people with arthritis are younger than 65 years of age.

So what's going on with these downright scary numbers? Genetics? The environment? Poor diet? Extreme sports? Well according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 120 different types of arthritis have been identified thus far and, interestingly enough, the cause of most of them still remains unknown. While many different factors and triggers surely contribute to the onset of arthritis, what we do know for sure is that how you play as a kid can affect your joints later in life. According to one study, a single knee injury early in life can put you at five times greater the risk for osteoarthritis in adulthood, with a hip injury more than tripling your risk.

"CURRENTLY, 3 OF EVERY 5 PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS ARE YOUNGER THAN 65 YEARS OF AGE"

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), serious childhood sports injuries are actually extremely common:

  • Nationwide, over 775,000 children under the age of 15 are treated in hospital emergency departments for sports-related injuries each year, with about 80 percent coming from football, basketball, baseball, and/or soccer.
  • Most sports-related injuries in children (about two-thirds) are sprains and strains (read: joints). Only 5 percent of sports injuries involve broken bones. 

The bottom line? Arthritis is not just an old person's disease - younger people who've been injured in high intensity sports, such as gymnastics, motor cross, skiing, and those listed above may begin experiencing symptoms in their late 30s and early 40s.

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is the leading cause of disability among people aged 15 years and older, currently affecting nearly 21 million Americans. In OA, the cartilage that cushions a joint becomes frayed or worn, or in extreme cases disappears entirely, causing the joint's bones to meet and grind together, resulting in pain and stiffness. This pain can range in intensity from the nuisance level to intense, potentially affecting everyday activities such as dressing, climbing stairs, getting in and out of bed, - and exercising. Beside the physical toll, arthritis costs this country roughly $65 billion annually in medical expenses and lost work hours.

So what exactly is going on at a physiological level in arthritis? The breakdown of cartilage in arthritis is believed to be due primarily to the action of matrix enzymes. Some of these enzymes have pro-inflammatory characteristics while others have anti-inflammatory properties. The changing balance between these enzymes may account for the variation in discomfort levels as flare-ups occur and subside.

Inflammation is a living tissue response to chemical, mechanical, and immunological challenges. it is characterized by high levels of arachidonic acid metabolites, which are metabolized along two different enzymatic pathways: cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, leading to prostaglandin PGE-2 and leukotriene LTB4 - the most prominent metabolites and mediators of inflammation.1 They play a crucial role in arthritis by causing resorption of bone, stimulating the secretion of an enzyme called collagenase, and inhibiting the formation of proteoglycans.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

O.K. so you've been diagnosed with arthritis. Or hopefully, it's just a matter of joint irritation due to overexertion and/or overtraining. As an athlete, one of your first questions is sure to be "how will this affect my training and what can I do to minimize future recurrences?" Well, a key point to remember for everyone reading this is that early diagnosis and treatment can mean less pain, less joint injury, and less disability. And getting the correct diagnosis is equally important because different forms of arthritis or injury require different treatments.

So let's jump ahead and assume that your family physician or rheumatologist has given you the green light to return to normal activity. It's probably reasonable to assume that he or she has recommended analgesics (medications that relieve pain) and/or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti- inflammatories) such as Tylenol or Advil to help cope with the discomfort during flare-ups or when you've just simply overdone it. Beyond that there are some things that can be done on a regular basis to help better cope with the situation.

EXERCISE REGULARLY: While people with arthritis generally know that joint-friendly activities such as walking and stretching can help reduce their pain, studies show that many still remain completely inactive. One possible reason is that exercise may initially increase joint- related pain, and, in some cases, individuals are inappropriately advised against participating in regular physical activity. But new findings show that people with joint disorders can not only exercise regularly but can also meet national recommendations for the general population which states that individuals with arthritis should strive to become more physically active by engaging in moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking, cycling, or swimming for 30 minutes a day at least three times per week.

STRETCHING: Engaging in regular stretching helps keep joints and muscles flexible, reduces stress, maintains range of motion, and enables you to maintain your activities of daily living.

WEIGHT TRAINING: A no-brainer for bodybuilders, powerlifters, and other strength athletes, regular strength training for all athletes and individuals helps strengthen muscle, which supports joints and connective tissue, and helps prevent injuries. 

CARDIO: Aerobic activity such as walking and cycling helps improve heart and lung function, and very important to those with joint concerns - contributes to weight control.

MAINTAIN HEALTHY WEIGHT: Extra pounds mean extra stress to joints, especially hips and knees, which can contribute to as well as aggravate arthritis and joint irritation. Following good exercise guidelines combined with sound nutrition can help you stay at or near your ideal bodyweight. And of course, following a traditional bodybuilding diet rich in lean proteins, essential fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables is a surefire way to stay not only lean, but in good general health.

FOLLOW A GOOD DIET: Can the foods you eat affect your arthritis? That's perhaps one of the most common questions people with joint problems ask. Because symptoms can vary literally from day to day, it's very natural to think that what you ate yesterday influenced the level of pain you feet (or don't feel) today.

Researchers have looked at the role diet may play in joint problems and are now finding some connection between food, nutritional supplements (vitamins, essential minerals, and essential fatty acids), and certain forms of arthritis and related conditions. Certain foods, especially fats, can enhance or harm regulation of hormonal substances called eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are important to pain patients, because they help to control inflammation and pain, especially in the joints.

Certain foods may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, worsening their pain and other symptoms. In fact, some forms of what we call rheumatoid arthritis may be what medical researchers call "allergic arthritis." We all react individually to foods, so it's virtually impossible to definitively say which foods are "good" or "bad." Milk and other dairy products commonly cause problems for those experiencing pain. Excessive fat seems to increase the levels of inflammatory substances in the body. Meat is also filled with substances that can trigger allergies and bog down the body with damaging free radicals. Chemicals given to animals bred specifically for consumption tend to accumulate in fatty tissue. Bacon, hot dogs, and cured lunchmeats have preservatives and other chemicals that can be potentially problematic in humans.

Switching to a highly nutritious, low saturated fat, lean-protein diet has helped many individuals with their joint concerns. And it may help reduce the need for certain medications as well. In general, those with joint concerns should: 

  • Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products. 

  • Limit your consumption of man-made, processed products and seek to avoid food additives, which are found mostly in packaged foods. Avoid saturated fat (found in animal products) and trans fat (hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils). Excessive consumption of these fats has been associated with heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. Fatty foods certainly can sure taste good, but you'd be surprised how quickly you can lose your fat cravings once you set fatty foods aside. 

  • Drink plenty of water, at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of plain water a day. 

  • Consider dietary supplements - especially antioxidants and essential fatty acids (EFA's).

SUPPLEMENT WISELY

CALCIUM: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our body and forms the cornerstone of our foundation - our skeleton. Roughly 99 per cent of calcium is found in our skeleton and teeth with the remaining I per cent of calcium in our blood and body fluids. Our skeleton is living tissue and acts as a calcium reservoir that must be added to daily. As well as combining with phosphorus, Vitamin D, and other elements to strengthen our bones and teeth, calcium is essential for:

  • Regulation of normal muscle function, including heartbeat.
  • Proper functioning of the nervous system.

  • Normal clotting of blood, which is essential for wound healing. 
  • Regulation of hormone secretions including insulin. 

  • Activation of numerous enzymes.

As we age both men and women lose calcium from the skeleton, but women lose about twice as much as men. Osteoporosis is the condition where there has been an exaggeration in the normal loss of bone mass, leading to disabilities resulting from the weakening of the body's supporting structure.

Recommendation: Adults need 1,000 mgs per day. Calcium supplements should always be taken with food to help encourage absorption.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS [EFAS]: EFAs, found abundantly in various plants such as borage, evening primrose, and flax provide two essential fatty acids known as omega-3 and omega-6. EFAs are essential to human health but cannot be made in the body. For this reason, they must be obtained from food. EFAs are needed for normal brain function, growth and development, bone health, stimulation of skin and hair growth, regulation of metabolism, and maintenance of reproductive processes. Essential fatty acids are precursors of Prostaglandins, which have known anti-inflammatory effects and help to decrease the activity of pro-inflammatory Prostaglandins such as PG2. Some of the new studies documenting the benefits of essential fatty acids in treating joint concerns include:

Recommendation: While there is currently no determined ideal amount of EFAS, it is recommended to consume a variety of sources each day to ensure a good balance of omega-3 and 6.

FISH OIL: Found in cold-water fish such as salmon, fish oil provides two unique fatty acids - DHA and EPA. In recent studies, dietary omega-3 oils have shown a suppressive effect on the production of cytokines, which stimulate the production of the enzyme collagenase and proinflammatory prostaglandins.

A study in the journal of Clinical Epidemiology ( 995 48/11) reviewed all the published studies on the use of fish oil to treat rheumatoid arthritis. They revealed that, in general, after three months of use, there was a significant reduction in tender joint count and morning stiffness in patients receiving fish oils. The placebo groups experienced no relief from pain.

Recommendation: Study results suggest that the effective dose of fish oil is approximately 3 to 6 grams a day. Higher dosages did not give better results and there are indications that the combination of EPA and DHA, as it is found in fish oil, has a synergistic effect.2

GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE: Among the natural therapies for arthritis and joint conditions, glucosamine sulfate is probably the best known. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring material in the body, synthesized in the chondrocytes cells. In arthritis this synthesis is defective and/or insufficient, and supplementation with glucosamine has proven to be positive. The body uses supplemental glucosamine (which can be traced to cartilage as soon as four hours after consumption) to synthesize the proteoglycans and the water-binding glycosamino-glycans (GAGS) in the cartilage matrix. In addition to providing raw material, the presence of glucosamine seems to stimulate the chondrocytes in their production of these substances. Glucosamine also inhibits certain enzymes that destroy cartilage such as collagenase and phospholipase. By blocking some of the mechanisms that lead to joint degeneration, glucosamine can help delay the progression of the breakdown and may relieve symptoms even for weeks after supplementation ends.

Recommendation: Shoot for 1,500 mg per day of glucosamine sulfate, as other forms of glucosamine such as hydrochloride simply do not have enough clinical data behind them to accept their use in joint support applications at this time.

METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE (MSM): MSM is a naturally occurring, bioavailable sulfur compound found all around us - throughout the atmosphere, in plants, animals, and in significant amounts in every human being. MSM is one-third sulfur by weight. Sulfur is the eighth most abundant element in all living organisms and forms part of virtually every living tissue, especially those highest in protein. In addition to being found in substantial amounts in red blood cells, muscles, skin and hair, sulfur is a component of various amino acids (Cysteine, Methionine, Taurine), vitamins (Thiamin, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin), antioxidant compounds (Alpha Lipoic Acid, N- Acetyl Cysteine, Glutathione), coenzymes (Acetyl Coenzyme A) and hormones (Insulin). MSM is generally regarded as one of the safest substances known, having toxicity similar to that of water.

Recent research is offering new hope for arthritis sufferers seeking a new, natural approach to alleviating pain. A preliminary study of MSM, a nutritional supplement that supplies biologically active sulfur, indicates that it may offer a safe, non-toxic way to help ease the pain of arthritis and joint discomfort.

Recommendation: There is currently no standard recommended daily intake for MSM, however, the majority of health care professionals are suggesting 2-6 grams per day in divided doses. MSM may be used alone or in combination with glucosamine and or other joint support nutrients.

VITAMIN E: While gaining most of its notoriety as a potent antioxidant (which is important to all individuals including those with joint concerns), Vitamin E appears to offer nutritional assistance to those with joint concerns by working to restore the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby helping to reduce inflammation.

"Oxidative stress" is a term experts use to describe the havoc wreaked by free radicals. As a "free radical scavenger," or antioxidant, Vitamin E is one of the body's best weapons against that oxidative stress that your body faces every day. Vitamin E sacrifices itself for the sake of your cells by donating part of itself to a free radical. That means that the disruptive free radical is no longer able to destroy the fatty portion of cell membranes and other fats found in your body.

Recommendation: 400 IU of natural (d-alpha) Vitamin E daily with meals.

Select References:
1. Srivastava et al., 1992 
2. James et al., 1997; Caugey et al., 1996
Except from Optimum Life Style