Arthritis: Self-Care

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Arthritis Self-Care

JoAnn Guest

Jan 19, 2004 15:15 PST

 

 

 

The following therapies can be undertaken at home under appropriate

professional supervision:

 

Osteoarthritis - Aromatherapy:

Dissolve camphor, mint in rubbing alcohol or sesame oil and apply

externally.

 

Juice Therapy:

Celery juice during acute inflammatory stage

Carrot, celery, and cabbage juice

Carrot, beet, and cucumber

 

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Aromatherapy: Detoxify with cypress, fennel, and lemon. Massage

affected joints with rosemary, benzoin, chamomile, camphor, juniper,

lavender.

 

Hydrotherapy: Constitutional hydrotherapy: apply two to five times

weekly. Or heating compress: apply once daily to affected areas.

 

Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., of London, England, reports that the

neutral bath [patient immersed in water (35 degrees centigrade) for

two hours] has been effective in reducing the swelling of joints in

rheumatoid patients.

 

Juice Therapy:

 

Carrot, celery, and cabbage juice. Add a little parsley as well.

Potato juice

Cherry juice

 

Take juice of half a lemon before every meal and before going to

bed.

 

Carrot, beet, and cucumber

During acute stage, one pint to one quart celery juice daily

Radish, garlic -No tomato.

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Ginger:

 

Proteolytic enzymes, of which there are several besides zingibain,

also play an additional role in controlling autoimmune diseases.

 

Ginger contains zingibain, a special kind of proteolytic enzyme that

has the ability to chemically break down protein.

 

(Adolph's meat tenderizer works because it contains this kind of

enzyme). They help reduce blood levels of compounds known as " immune

complexes " , high levels of which activate the immune system to

attack the body itself, ultimately leading to tissue damage.

 

Zingibain, which comprises as much as 2 percent of fresh ginger

root, is as powerful an enzyme as the bromelain in pineapple or the

papain in papaya.

Ginger is one of nature's richest sources of proteolytic enzymes,

containing approximately 180 times more than the

papaya plant.

 

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Eating Sulphur rich foods is very beneficial for alleviating the

pain and discomfort associated with arthritis.

I like to use diet over supplements whenever possible.

 

For joint pain it is best to include the following foods in your

daily dietary regimen

 

* CABBAGE---Cabbage is high in fiber, but more important is it's

SULPHUR and iron content! Sulfur is important for neutralizing the

toxic effects of EXCESS cobalt, nickel and copper.

 

* CELERY---The organic sodium in celery acts as a SOLVENT to break

down CALCIUM DEPOSITS that lodge in the JOINTS and kidneys! It

contains magnesium which acts as a stress reducer.

 

* CHICORY/ENDIVE---These two foods usually used in salads, have a

high magnesium content which *glues* calcium and phosphorus to the

bones. They are good for adding mass to bone as well as

LUBRICATING THE JOINTS.

 

* WATERMELON---The high water content (92%) makes watermelon a great

body flusher. Although its mostly liquid, it is rich in potassium.

Good for: ARTHRITIS, urmeic poisioning, kidney stones, nausea nad

colic.

 

* APPLES---The high pectin in apples fights fat and lowers

cholesterol;

the fiber stimulates digestion. The PULP helps DISSOLVE ACID CRYSTAL

 

DEPOSITS IN JOINTS

 

* PARSLEY---The high mineral content content helps restore the

body's overall health by neutralizing acidic conditions. Good for

Arthritis, allergies, cellulitis and getting rid of excess mercury

in the body!

 

* CHERRIES---Rich in iron and magnesium, cherries help cleanse teh

urinary system. They are low in calories and high in potassium and

vitamin D. Good for: Arthritis, theumatism, gout, anemia, kidney and

liver problems.

 

* BERRIES---Berries are high in Vitamins A and C. They act as a

blood cleanser and an anti-inflammatory.

 

Good for: Arthritis, stiff joints, high blood pressure, bleeding

gums, swollen lymph nodes, colds and flu.

 

* MELONS---All melons are high in vitamins C and A; orange melons

are high in beta-carotene. when combined with lemon juice, they help

eliminate URIC ACID.

 

* GRAPES---Whether purple or green, grapes are great for quick

energy. They make a potent cleanser for the kidneys and liver and

are rich in cancer-blocking compounds.

_________________

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Mediterranean Diet To Ease RA Pain

Posted June 23, 2003

By Darin Ingels, ND

 

(June 19, 2003)—People suffering from

rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may experience decreased inflammation in

their joints,

improved physical function, and increased vitality by consuming a

Mediterranean diet, according to a new study in Annals of Rheumatic

Diseases (2003;62:208–14).

 

The findings of the new study suggest that relatively minor dietary

changes can significantly improve the quality of life in individuals

with RA.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that affects more than

1% of all Americans and most often becomes symptomatic between the

ages

of 25 and 50. Women are twice as likely as men to get this disease.

 

Although the exact cause of RA is unknown, it is known that the

immune

system attacks the body and causes destruction in connective tissue,

particularly in small joints

such as the hands, feet, ankles, wrists,and elbows. Symptoms include

stiffness in the joints, which is

usually worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity,

physical

deformities, and pain in the joints.

 

In the new study, 51 Swedish adults with RA of at least two years'

duration were randomly assigned to consume a Mediterranean diet or a

typical Western diet for three months.

 

The Mediterranean diet consists primarily of cold water fish, fruit,

vegetables, whole grain cereal and beans and contains less red meat

and

considerably less dairy products than do Western diets.

 

The main sources of fat in food preparation, baking, and salad

dressings are extra virgin olive oils.

 

A specific measurement of disease activity based on joint swelling

and

tenderness, inflammation, and pain was performed every three weeks.

Questionnaires about physical function and quality of life were

given

at the same intervals.

 

Those consuming the 'Mediterranean diet' had a statistically

significant 56% decrease

in disease activity, based on reductions in

joint swelling,tenderness, and pain.

 

A modest improvement in physical functioning was also reported in

the

Mediterranean diet group, as well as increased vitality and a better

sense of well-being compared with one year earlier.

The majority of these benefits were not seen until after

six weeks of treatment.

 

Individuals in the Mediterranean diet group had a small, but

significant decrease in weight of about seven pounds (3 kg) and a

slight decrease in total overall cholesterol.

No significant change in

any measurement was observed in those consuming the standard

american

diet.

 

Other nutritional supplements that have been shown to be effective

in treating RA include pharmaceutical grade fish oil, borage oil

(GLA),

vitamin E, vitamin B5

(pantothenic acid),

selenium, zinc, and green-lipped mussel.

 

Herbal extracts of boswellia and Devil's claw may also reduce the

swelling associated with RA.

 

Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor's degree from

Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from

Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA.

 

Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering

Cholesterol (Prima, 1999)

and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000).

He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health

Associates located in Southport, CT, where

he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies.

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JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest