Arthritis Naturally!!
Why manage arthritis naturally? Because at the very least, Non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs, sold over the counter, have many destructive and undesirable side effects. At the very worst… some forms of arthritis are treated with prescription medication that includes chemotherapy. The side effects of chemotherapy are extremely dangerous. Further, natural supportive therapies actually help to rebuild joint tissue while over the counter anti-inflammatory medication and chemotherapy facilitate the further breakdown of joint tissue, and consequently, increased levels of pain long term.
First, in order to manage arthritis, naturally, you need to ensure that your digestive system is working properly. The concern is for two reasons. First, food that isn’t properly digested into nutrients for absorption, ferments into “endotoxins.” Endotoxins are toxic chemicals that are created when the digestive environment in the stomach and intestines doesn’t contain the right digestive enzymes and microorganisms, and isn’t working at the proper pH. The undigested food ferments in this environment, changing the chemical make up of the food into something that is toxic to the system. Arthritis is a chronic degenerative disease. Toxins make chronic degenerative diseases worse, and make them harder to treat with conventional or natural therapies. Secondly, when your digestive system isn’t operating properly, the unhealthy environment actually destroys the lining of the digestive tract. When it endures this level of destruction, absorption of anything is diminished. When Dr. Daenell suggests certain vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements to my patients, she is depending upon their digestive system to absorb these supplements. When digestion and absorption are compromised, so is the “medicine.”
Some of the key supplements that she suggests for healing and maintaining the digestive system include Digestive enzymes (hydrochloric acid, pancreatic enzymes, and ox bile) acidophilus, fructooliosacharides, and l-glutamine. The digestive enzymes help break down your food properly. These are taken just before, during or just after a meal. Do not take these enzymes on an empty stomach, as doing so will be very uncomfortable. The acidophilus repopulates your digestive tract with microorganisms that are beneficial to the digestive tract, helps further break down your food and competes for space and nutrients with harmful microorganisms that may be present, diminishing their numbers. This is taken once or twice per day one hour before or two hours after a meal. It can be taken with a meal, however, its benefit will be slightly diminished. Fructooligosacharides and l-glutamine actually help to rebuild the mucous membrane that lines the digestive tract, ensuring proper absorption of nutrients. Although they will be of some benefit if taken with meals, these supplements also work best if taken one hour before or two hours after a meal. Dr. Daenell can suggest dosages appropriate for each individual,
Secondly, she suggests a simple list of supplements for the management of their joint pain, inflammation and joint deterioration.
For the first two to four weeks, while the inflammation is still causing pain, and before the long-term supplements begin to take affect they take bromelain and curcumin. These herbal agents act to decrease inflammation, and are taken in lieu of aspirin, ibuprofen and tylenol. They are taken every 4 to 6 hours on an empty stomach. For the purpose of taking supplements, an empty stomach is one hour before or two hours after a meal. If they are taken with food, they will NOT do harm however; they will NOT be effective. This therapy can be discontinued when the joint pain and inflammation are alleviated by the long-term supplements listed below.
Long term supplementation includes glucosamine sulfate and MSM. Glucosamine sulfate is taken with meals. MSM is taken with meals. NOTE: taking these supplements with meals is VERY important. Taking them on an empty stomach is very uncomfortable. Both glucosamine sulfate and MSM will cause temporary changes in digestive function, and short-term side effects that include loose stools and gas. This is only temporary, and can be minimized by using MSM at a lower dose initially, slowly increasing the dose every two weeks. In my experience, these supplements take approximately two to four weeks to alleviate pain. They must be taken consistently, and at a dosage suggested for you as an individual, for best results.
Glucosamine sulfate works to actually rebuild connective tissue. In this case, it helps to rebuild the worn cartilage in the affected joints. It can be considered a nutrient for the joint tissue. Although glucosamine sulfate is not a pain reliever of any sort, studies show that over time, glucosamine sulfate is more effective, long term, at relieving joint pain in arthritis than ibuprofen. As we already know, ibuprofen has many undesirable side effects including gastric irritation, ulcers, kidney and liver damage, and ringing in the ears. Unfortunately for arthritis sufferers, ibuprofen actually inhibits cartilage repair and promotes arthritis. As I have discussed before, all supplements are not created equally. The industry is not regulated. There are many versions of glucosamine sulfate on the market, and they don’t all produce the results that research would lead you to expect. Extensive research has been done in the area of glucosamine sulfate and arthritis. This research was conducted using a patented formula. Dr. Daenell uses these brands exclusively. Glucosamine sulfate can be fairly expensive. It is frustrating for people to spend money on it and use it for weeks without results. When you purchase a “copy cat” you don’t know what you are getting. You might be very disappointed. Further, chondroitin sulfate has received a lot of attention in the area of joint health. It is often sold in combination with glucosamine sulfate. Unfortunately, as study after study demonstrates it is not absorbed through the digestive tract. Therefore, paying for this to be added to your supplements is a complete waste of money. When I see these two supplements joined in one product, I question that company’s commitment to updated research, quality, bioavailability, and effective natural medicine.
Studies have shown that people that suffer from arthritis have lower tissue levels of natural sulfur than people without arthritis. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is found naturally occurring in small amounts in unpasteurized milk, fruits, vegetables and grains. (Whole foods that are often missing from the standard American diet.) MSM is an anti-inflammatory, a pain reliever, and it is shown to prevent the breakdown of cartilage.
Considering the mechanism of action of these supplements, and the pathology of osteo and rheumatoid arthritis; glucosamine sulfate, MSM, bromelain, and curcumin will be effective in both scenarios. The same can be said for healing the digestive tract, and supporting proper digestion and absorption.
A diet rich in whole grains, organic vegetables and fruit, cold water fish, fiber; low in sugar, fried foods, packaged/processed foods, food additives/preservatives, red meat, dairy products, saturated fat and refined flour can help to reduce inflammation, increase over all health, and minimize any disease process. Specifically for arthritis, efforts made to avoid tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers and tobacco (due to the irritating effects of the alkaloids that they contain) and efforts to increase, purple fruits such as blue berries, raspberries, black berries, and cranberries (due to the anti-inflammatory effects of the proanthocyanidins that they contain) lead to considerably less pain for arthritis sufferers.