ARTHRITIS

Stiffness. Pain. Swelling.

These are just a few of the symptoms that more than 50 million Americans with arthritis suffer from every day. However, with new breakthroughs in nutritional research, many of those complaints may become a thing of the past. A great deal of information has come out on the role different nutrients play in supporting healthy joint function. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This is a degenerative disease of the large weight-bearing joints, often associated with aging. As the disease progress, the joint cartilage deteriorates.

The allopathic approach to osteoarthritis is to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to control symptoms. However, research has determined that drug therapy may actually accelerate the progression of the disease. Chronic use of NSAIDS has been linked to increased intestinal problems, including nausea and peptic ulcers. The natural approach to arthritis works to rebuild cartilage and reduce inflammation without side effects. Any nutritional approach to supporting the body begins with a strong foundation, which includes a healthy diet low in fat, salt and sugar and made up of natural, unprocessed foods. While many fats commonly consumed in the American diet are bad fats which actually cause inflammation, foods rich in Omega-3 oils should be a regular part of the diet as these have been shown to have a dramatic effect on inflammation. Other foods that should be included in the diet are fresh fruits and vegetables, sulfur-containing foods such as garlic, onions and cabbage. Avoid foods from the nightshade family (tomaotes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers) which have been found to aggravate arthritic symptoms. In addition to diet, a high potency general multivitamin, additional antioxidants, and a good calcium/magnesium supplement are good functional support nutrients.

Exciting research has been done on the ability of several different substances to rebuild cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is a substance that occurs naturally in the cartilage, cushioning the joints. Research has shown that supplementing consistently with glucosamine sulfate stimulates the production of the building blocks of cartilage. If cartilage can be restored in the joints, the pain and inflammation will go away. In one double-blind study, there was a 73% drop in symptoms for those who took glucosamine sulphate compared with placebo. There was also a reversal of cartilage damage in treated patients. An additional substance commonly found with glucosamine is chondroitin sulfate which inhibits enzymes that break down cartilage. Thes supplements have been well researched and are considered safe and effective long-term treatments for joint problems.

Another supplement that is gaining recognition for its work in supporting joints, among other things, in methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). MSM is a concentrated source of organic sulfur. Sulfur is important for forming collagen, which is the fibrous material in cartilage. Because of this, it has been shown to be effective in treating disorders of the joints, ligaments, and tendons. MSM has also been shown to be helpful in reducing inflammation and plain. Finally, a newer compound worth looking into is cetyl myristoleate (CM). Cetyl myristoleate, a fatty acid ester, has anti-inflammatory abilities and has shown promising results for chronic pain associated with arthritis, both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Capsaicin, the compound in cayenne peppers that causes the "heat", can be applied topically to temporarily relieve the pain from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Often found in cream form, capsaicin depletes the amount of a neurotransmitter (called substance P) that sends pain messages to the brain. It is best to apply a capsaicin cream 3 to 4 times a day.

Arthritis doesn't have to et you down. Nature provides us with thse, and many more wonderful substances to help fight the battle against arhtritis.