| Health Concerns > Rheumatoid Arthritis | May 9, 2008 |
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are difficult to diagnose and are often confused with one another. And remember, it doesn’t have to be one or the other: they can coexist.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis include:- joint pain and stiffness
- onset usually gradual but can be abrupt
- involved joints are warm, swollen, tender, and inflammed
Approach
In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system inappropriately makes antibodies that attack joint tissue. Food allergies and compromised intestinal permeability are often associated with this abnormal immune reaction. Thus following the Renewal Diet is crucial to reverse and cure arthritis. Foods that are allergenic can irritate the intestinal mucosal surface, causing it to be inflamed. This can cause decreased membrane selectivity, and hyperpermeability or "leaky gut syndrome." Partially digested food particles called "macromolecules" can then find their way into the bloodstream, causing the systemic immune system to make "autoantibodies" which then find their way to joint tissue, causing it to become inflamed. This provides a powerful strategy for reversing autoimmune (rheumatic) arthritis. Test blood for food allergies (use Meridian Laboratory in Kent WA; 425-271-8689; www.meridianvalleylab.com) and then eliminate food allergens.With compromised intestinal functioning (as manifested by indigestion, nausea, bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea) a Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis should be performed. Great Smokies Laboratory (www.gsdl.com) is by far the best lab to use for this test. Using local laboratories for stool testing is a waste of time and money.
Finally, taking digestive enzymes Similase will break food down faster and more thoroughly, so that less food allergens are available to be absorbed, resulting in reduction of arthritic symptoms.
The optimum approach to arthritis is to try to reverse the disease naturally using the dietary and supplementation recommendations below before resorting to powerful drug regimens.
Suggested Supplements
The following nutritional supplements have been found effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis:- Glucosamine accelerates joint healing by providing the raw material the body can't make enough of when joints are healing. Take 3000 mg (3 capsules twice daily) for optimum results. Attempts to use less than 3000 mg daily frequently result in treatment failure. Wait at least two months for optimum outcome. When desired results are obtained, reduce dose to 2000 mg. daily for maintainance.
- MSM supplies methyl groups and sulfur, and has been shown to accelerate joint and connective tissue healing. Optimum dose is 3000 mg MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) daily (two 750 mg. capsules twice daily). In rheumatoid arthritis there is a loss of sulfated proteoglycans necessary for the synthesis of hyaline cartilage. MSM donates sulfur, removing this block to synthesis of new cartilage. MSM must be continued for 3-6 months for optimum effectiveness. As with glucosamine, taking less than 3000 mg (2 capsules) daily greatly decreases the risk of therapeutic success.
- A high quality multivitamin-mineral such as Renewal Research Multivitamin-Mineral. Essential vitamins and minerals are always in short supply when demands on healing systems are increased, as in arthritis. Essential nutrient supplementation is especially important for arthritis. Selenium (200 mcg daily) in the multiple reduces inflammation. Boron (1-2 mg. daily) in the multiple is low in diets of people with rheumatoid arthritis, and supplementation for at least 2-4 months has been associated in some studies with a 90% remission rate.
- 1-2 Tablespoons Flax Seed/Borage Seed Oil Liquid daily, or 6-12 capsules Flax/Borage Oil Softgels speeds joint healing and improves immune health.
- Inflammation Control reduces general body and joint inflammation, stops swelling and reduces pain. Take 2-4 capsules 3-4 times daily.
- Bromelain reduces inflammation, reduces pain, and speeds healing. Take 2-4 capsules 4-6 times a day.
- To reduce food based alleregens, take Similase plant based digestive enzymes. Take 2-4 with each meal, depending on size of meal.
Other nutrients for rheumatoid arthritis include:
- SAMe has been found in several research studies to reverse rheumatoid arthritis. Take one 200 mg. tablet 2-3 times a day.
- Vitamin C (2000-4000 mg. daily) is an antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and is necessary for synthesis of new joint tissue.
Immunopotentiation: rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused by immune system dysfunction. As described above, the immune system makes antibodies which attack the body’s own tissues, rather than foreign invaders. Therefore treatments which strengthen the immune system (thus encouraging it to work more appropriately) are strongly indicated.
Diet
- Follow the Renewal Diet as explained in Chapter 5: The New four Food Groups: grains, beans, fruit, and vegetables
- Eliminate alcohol and sugar
- Do blood testing for food allergies and avoid allergenic foods
- Drink copious amounts of water: 64 ounces a day
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Dr. Smith recommends the following supplements
for this health concern. Detailed infomation is
available by clicking on the product name.
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