Healthy Stuff for Beating Arthritis

At present, the word "arthritis" refers to more than 190 rheumatic diseases in which one or more of the body’s 200 joints are involved.

At present, the word "arthritis" refers to more than 190 rheumatic diseases in which one or more of the body’s 200 joints are involved. Typical symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness and deformity of one or more of the joints. The joints in the human body are cushioned by cartilage. In people with arthritis, there is a breakdown of the cartilage tissue and the cartilage membrane can become inflamed, puffy and warm. In the past, physicians could only offer pain medication, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), or cortisone but now there is hope through nutrition.

In one study of rheumatoid arthritis patients, participants fasted on vegetable juice for 7 to 10 days, followed by a gluten-free, vegan diet for 3.5 months and then a lactovegetarian diet for another 9 months. This study found that about 50% of patients who followed the vegetarian diet had a significant improvement in most of their lab and clinical scores, compared to only 8% who continued with their regular "meat and potatoes" diet. Amazingly, effects were still evident a year after the study was completed.

Choose foods that are highly antioxidant in nature (i.e. cherries, grapes, and all types of berries). They provide important flavonoids that protect cartilage cells and tissue from reactive oxygen damage. When combined with Vitamin C, especially in the form of mineral ascorbates (a buffered type of vitamin C), they enhance collagen production.

Some of the most active of these flavonoids are found in grape seed extracts. Protovin is a potent grape seed extract containing a broad spectrum of flavonoids called procyanidins. These compounds selectively bind to the protein of joint tissue preventing swelling and pain and they repair damage to the tissue. Fresh pineapple, ginger and the spice turmeric all possess anti-inflammatory action as well.

Studies have shown that the sulfur content in arthritic patients is lower than in healthy individuals. When sulfur levels are normalized, pain and swelling are alleviated. The sulfur-containing foods include garlic, onions, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane (MSM) is a natural form of biologically available nutritional sulfur. MSM has been successfully taken as a supplement to inhibit damaging enzymatic activity to the joint tissue and aids in the rebuilding of joint tissue.

The two most popular supplements for arthritis are glucosamine and chondroitin. They are produced by the body naturally yet seem to be in short supply in arthritic patients. When taken either singly or in combination they give the cartilage tissue the raw materials needed to repair the joint. Glucosamine works by triggering the production of the key elements in the cartilage and is the main building block of the gelatinous compounds which act as shock-absorbers in the joint. Chondroitin draws fluid into these shock-absorbing compounds by acting as a magnet for water, thus increasing the shock-absorbing activity.

Other joint-protective compounds would include green lipped mussel, which has been used to improve joint lubrication and elasticity. It smoothes joint action and encourages the synovial membrane to produce better fluid. Remember to exercise especially nontraumatic exercise (walking, isometrics, swimming, yoga and stretching).

If you give your joints what they naturally crave, they will bend your way for years to come.

 
 From:   http://www.vistamagonline.com