Arthritis
Category: Ailment
One of the most common health problems, often striking
the elderly. Although cases involving people in their 20s
and 30s are not uncommon. Arthritis has many different forms
causing different patterns of pain and swelling in the joints.
Arthritis can be categorized into two main types:
Osteoarthritis
Joint cartilage breaks down or hardens, causing bone distortion
and also development of lumps and spurs.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Joints are inflamed, causing pain, fever and stiffness.
Helpful foods
1) Oily fish – consume 700gm (1 lb 9 oz) per week.
2) Fresh ginger
– Researchers in Denmark gave patients to consume
50gm (1.75 oz) cooked ginger, or 5gm (0.25 oz) raw ginger,
to consume daily. Some relief was observed in most patients.
3) Raw pineapple and chilli
(cayenne) – These 2 plant foods have
shown some anti-inflammatory action against arthritis sufferers.
Others: Apples
have been traditionally used as an aid to joint problems.
Supplements
The following supplements have all produced some symptom
relief in at least one clinical trial.
1) Vitamin
E – 400mg daily
2) Vitamin C
– 1gm (1000mg) 4 times a day, and reducing it to 1000mg
a day after relief.
Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin,
and our bodies will excrete excess vitamin C. It is best
to break up our intake of vitamin C over a day, so that
our bodies are continually provided with the vitamin C it
needs throughout the day.
3) Pantothenic
Acid (vitamin B5) - 500mg for 2 days, increasing
to 1000mg for 3 days, further increasing to 1500mg for 4
days, then reducing to 200mg a day for 2 months or until
pain is relieved. Then reduce to the minimum needed to maintain
relief.
Also, drink lots of water (at least 8 glasses
a day). Water helps to hydrate our disks and cartilage.
When our cartilage is hydrated, there is reduced friction,
and thus less damage, reducing the risk of arthritis. Oxidative
stress (caused by free radicals) in the joints also causes
damage to the cartilage and synovial lining of the joint.
Water helps to transport important nutrients. Many of these
are antioxidant nutrients and will help to neutralize oxidative
stress reducing the risk of arthritis.
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