Arthritis


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		Arthritis Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, etc. by Phillip Day Profile Everyone knows someone who suffers from the degenerative condition of arthritis. Stiffness, pain in the early morning upon rising, incapacitation, joint swelling, bony fingers, bone spurs, hip and knee problems - those aluminium walkers. Arthritis in all its manifestations has traditionally been regarded as an old person's disease, and yet, more and more, children and teenagers are afflicted. Arthritis, as we shall see, is the most treatable of illnesses, and extremely easy to prevent. Once again, cultures adhering to an adequate agrarian diet full of fresh whole-foods free of pesticides, sugar and other contaminants DO NOT GET ARTHRITIS. There are several forms of the disease we can review. Firstly, the extremely common… Osteoarthritis: First manifests with stiffness or pain in the wrist, fingers, knees, hips, etc. Joint crepitus, stiffness after periods of inactivity, narrowed joint spaces, cartilage erosion, bone spurs, etc. Over 45 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, many undergoing joint replacement surgery after many years of pain killers and other drugs. Primary osteoarthritis is the manifestation that leads one to believe that this form of arthritis is simply a disease of old age. Science believes that a breakdown in the cartilage matrix forming the cartilage, the gel-like material that acts as the shock-absorber layer between the joints, provokes an enzyme reaction which destroys further cartilage formation, causing bones to abrase, creating pain and extreme discomfort. Secondary osteoarthritis is the term usually given to osteoarthritis which has occurred as a result of some primary incident trigger, usually an accident, surgery, hormonal irregularities, gout, previous fractures, etc. Problems with the official treatments Drs. Murray and Pizzorno report that in many cases, osteoarthritis, if left alone without any nutritional or therapeutic intervention, will clear itself. One study catalogued the natural progression of the disease in the hip over a ten-year period with no therapeutic intervention. X-rays were taken to confirm that the disease was in its advanced stages in the subjects to be studied. Later, after the patients were left alone with no therapeutic intervention, X-rays taken later confirmed that improvements did occur over time, with complete recoveries being experienced in fourteen of the thirty-one hips studied. This microcosmic look points the finger of suspicion once again at the bankrupt methods medicine has been using to contain or reverse the condition on an international scale. Usually, arthritis sufferers are treated with aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen derivatives (Motrin, Advil, etc.). Many of these drugs have side-effects which include gastro-intestinal upsets, headaches, dizziness, ulcers, and a disconcerting propensity to inhibit cartilage synthesis and promote further cartilage disintegration. As Murray and Pizzorno conclude, "NSAIDS appear to suppress the symptoms but accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis." Eventually, the patient either has to opt for joint-replacement surgery, where applicable, or simply 'put up with it', and suffer progressive degeneration with the help of a constant diet of painkillers. The hormone connection In females, increased incidences of osteoarthritis coincide with estrogen dominance, provoking menopausal symptoms of flushing, mood changes, sweats, etc. (see Menopausal Problems). Tamoxifen, an estrogen suppressor and chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of estrogen-positive breast cancers, appears to decrease the erosion of cartilage, yet Tamoxifen is a known liver carcinogen. Osteoarthritis in women is clearly linked to hormonal irregularities, which is why the most effective natural and non-toxic protocols for menopausal problems work so well with arthritis in women. As proof of this, estrogen dominance also coincides with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) (see Hypothyroidism). Those with hypothyroidism are known to have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis as time proceeds. Causes of primary osteoarthritis Diets predominant in sucrose, white flour products and refined processed foods The nightshade family (Solanaceae) of vegetables have been known to trigger osteoarthritis. These include tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant. Some speculate that it is not the vegetables themselves but pesticides residues on the plants that are to blame 'Junk in the joints'. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition where excessive wear on the intestinal membranes (usually by gluten and other antagonists), render them permeable to undigested food proteins passing from the digestive tract into the bloodstream, thickening up the blood (a condition known as 'Rouleau'). The body attempts to stash the junk, sometimes into the joint area, provoking an immune system reaction. Excess acid is a common by-product of 21st century diets, which inhibits the formation of new cartilage. Causes of secondary osteoarthritis These, as mentioned in the 'secondary osteoarthritis' section above, will include 'primary events' that trigger the condition. This could be a fall, hormonal problems, or other conditions usually revolving around an overly acidic body system. Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatism involves fever, weakness, swollen and 'warm' joints, deformities of the joints in hands and feet. Rheumatoid arthritis has long been termed an 'auto-immune disease', wherein the immune system appears selectively to destroy connective tissue, tendons, joint muscles and bone. Traditional medicine points to a specific genetic marker, HLA-DRw4, which allegedly predisposes the subject to RA. In reality, RA cannot thrive without key environmental factors being present. Other related conditions include: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): A chronic, inflammatory disease involving connective tissue and other organs of the body. Symptoms include a red, scaly rash on the face, affecting the nose and cheeks. Mouth sores, arthritis, progressive damage to the kidneys and heart, low white cell count and anaemia. The condition is diagnosed by the presence of abnormal antibody activity. Lupus is described as an 'auto-immune' condition. Fungal involvement producing these antibodies is suspected and should be verified. Ankylosing spondylitis: An inflammatory disorder of the joint capsules which affects young men, mostly damaging connective tissue around the spine and large joints. Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis): A chronic disorder affecting skin, internal organs and joints, presenting waxy, scaly skin, ivory in colour, due to blood vessel abnormalities. The illness can extend to other organs of the body, changing the character of tissue and presenting a whole range of symptoms from mild to fatal. Abnormal cell growth in the esophagus is characteristic of about one third of cases. Again, fungal involvement is suspected. Critters… again All rheumatoid arthritis sufferers demonstrate an altered microbial flora and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)… sound familiar? In fact, the severity of RA in a patient correlates to the degree of fungal overgrowth in the body. Medicine has fixated on the presence of antibodies in RA sufferers without really zeroing in on why they are there in the first place. Mycoplasmic microbes are known to infect joints which trigger specific attacks on them by immune factors. A major part of the nutritional treatments for arthritis therefore centre around detoxification and parasite cleansing, ensuring that the digestive system is restored to normal function as far as possible. The use of digestive (pancreatic) enzymes is usually warranted. Summary of arthritis All the evidence from science and practical application in clinics around the world indicates the following: Traditional medicine is of limited help with arthritis of all kinds, and can actively promote the disease with the use of NSAIDS, aspirin and other drug interventions Diet and lifestyle are primary factors in the development of the conditions. Food sensitivity problems and heightened ingestion of junk trans-fats are key areas for investigation Yeast, fungi and their associated waste products are also implicated in rheumatoid arthritis Impaired or dysfunctional digestion must be corrected Take action! Patients suffering from any manifestations of arthritis may benefit from the following: SUPERVISION: Secure the services of an MD or ND knowledgeable in nutritional treatments for arthritis *DIET: COMMENCE THE ANTI-CANDIDA DIETARY REGIMEN.* High quality food is the key here, as always, eaten four or five times per day. Fresh and organic food, most of it eaten raw to preserve enzyme activity DIET: Drink 4 pints (2 litres) of clean, fresh water per day DETOXIFICATION: Magnesium oxide bowel cleanse DETOXIFICATION: Ensure anti-yeast and -fungi herbal controls are used in the *ANTI-CANDIDA* DIETARY REGIMEN RESTORE NUTRIENT BALANCE: COMMENCE THE BASIC SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM, ensuring: Glucosamine sulphate, 1,500 mg per day Vitamin B3, niacinamide, no-flush, 500 mg, four times a day (liver enzymes will need to be periodically checked). Do not continue the supplementation of this nutrient longer than your physician recommends Vitamin C complex (ascorbates plus bioflavonoids), 2 g, twice per day Vitamin B3, 150-300 mg per day Boron, 6 mg per day Selenium, 200 mcg per day Digestive enzyme supplement, as directed, taken between meals on an empty stomach TIP: Essential fatty acid intake is vital (this is part of THE BASIC SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM). Ideally, increased intakes of fish oils and flaxseed oil (1 tbsp per day) meal should be included. The diet can also include oily fish such as mackerel, herring, halibut and salmon (not farmed, but cold caught) TIP: Pay special attention to foods that need to be avoided in THE ANTI-CANDIDA DIETARY REGIMEN.** These will also include the nightshade family, e.g. potatoes, peppers, tobacco, eggplant and tomatoes. Further Resources: The ABC's of Disease by Phillip Day Click here to purchase or review any of the above. Click here for telephone sales around the world. Click here if you wish to contact Credence for information on treatment options or resources.