About 4.7 million Americans have
rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an
auto-immune disorder in which the bodies immune system
attacks synovial membranes in the joints. These membranes
create lubricating fluid and thus when damaged or
destroyed inflammation occurs and thus the pain of
arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age even
under 18 years old. Rheumatoid arthritis causes
stiffness, swelling, fatigue, anemia, weight loss, fever,
and pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis, and
is an overactive autoimmune disorder. Like other autoimmune
disorders, rheumatoid arthritis is a "self
attacking" disease. Where the person's immune system
incorrectly identifies the synovial membrane as foreign.
Resulting in inflammation that damages both cartilage and
tissues around and inside the joints. Often, the bone surfaces
are destroyed because inflammation in the joints causes
enzyme production that digest nearby tissue. The human
body replaces the damaged tissue with scar tissue, causing
spaces within the joints to become smaller and the bones may
fuse together. Rheumatoid arthritis creates stiffness,
swelling, fatigue, anemia,
weight loss, fever, and a crippling severe pain. Rheumatoid
arthritis normally occurs in people below 40 years old. Over 2
million Americans have this health problem, of which 75% are
female. Juvenile arthritis is a form of rheumatoid arthritis
that strikes children under 16 years of age, affecting over
71,000 young people who are mainly female. The start of
rheumatoid arthritis maybe triggered by physical or emotional
stress,
poor diet and nutrition, or even bacterial infection. While
osteoarthritis
affects individual joints, rheumatoid arthritis can affect all
of the body's synovial joints. Joints affected by rheumatoid
arthritis tend to make a sound like crinkling cellophane, and
osteoarthritic joints make banging, clicking, or popping
noises. Arthritis can also be caused by bacterial, viral, or
fungal
infection of a joint. The microorganisms most commonly
involved in this type of the disorder are streptococci,
staphylococci, gonococci, hemophilus or tubercle bacilli, and
fungi such as Candida albicans.
Normally the infecting organism gets to a joint via the
bloodstream from an infection somewhere else in the body, but
injury or even surgery can cause joint infection. Symptoms
include redness, swelling, pain, and tenderness in the
affected joint, often accompanied by systemic symptoms of
infection such as fever, chills, and body aches.
Nutrient /
Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Boron |
10 |
is a trace mineral
needed for healthy bones and it also aides in the
absorption of other minerals which is helpful to people
with rheumatoid arthritis and related health problems. |
Multi-vitamin
& Mineral supplement |
10 |
contains vitamin E,
vitamin C, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium
which all are helpful for rheumatoid arthritis. The nutrients in
a daily supplement are required for good general health and well being. |
Essential
fatty acids |
10 |
extremely important
for reducing inflammation causes of
rheumatoid arthritis and they
also aid in increasing blood circulation. Essential fatty acids
are found in omega
fatty acids from fish oil, flax seed oil, and
borage seed oil. |
Magnesium |
9 |
the mineral magnesium works with calcium to
rid imbalances affecting people with arthritis. A good
source of magnesium is a quality multi-vitamin &
mineral supplement especially one with calcium,
zinc, and the herb garlic. |
Calcium |
9 |
works with magnesium to prevent
bone loss |
Copper |
8 |
aids in strengthening connective
tissue and bone formation |
Nettle |
8 |
herb that is good for inflammation
|
Olive
leaf |
8 |
good for arthritis caused by
infection
|
Zinc |
8 |
the mineral zinc is required for
poeper bone growth and health. Very
often people with rheumatoid arthritis are not
getting enough of the mineral zinc in their diet.
|
Alfalfa |
8 |
herb with vitamin K and minerals
for skeletal health
|
Niacin |
8 |
vitamin B3 aids in blood flow by
dilating small arteries
|
Pantothenic
acid |
8 |
vitamin B5 very good for
rheumatoid arthritis and is required for adrenal function
|
Pyridoxine |
8 |
vitamin B6 aids in reducing
swelling in tissue
|
vitamin
C |
8 |
helps with inflammatory pain
relief and is a free radical destroyer
|
Bioflavonoids |
8 |
work with vitamin C
|
Folic
acid |
8 |
some studies indicate people with
rheumatoid arthritis are low in folic acid in their diet
|
Garlic |
7 |
the herb garlic has been
shown to inhibit the formation of free radicals
which can damage joints relating to arthritis problems. |
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|