Healing tips

Arthritis

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  The pathophysiological phenomenon of arthritis involves dysregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-inflammatory enzymes which results in elevated levels of prostaglandins, leukotriene, and nitric oxide; additionally, there is also an expression of an adhesion molecule, matrix metalloproteinase, and hyperproliferation of synovial fibroblasts.
 
The Three Most Common Types of Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. …
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system attacks parts of the body—especially the joints. …
  • Psoriatic Arthritis.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints and the tissue that surround the bones. It can occur anywhere in the body, although it primarily affects the knees, elbows and in some cases, the back. The symptoms of arthritis include the following:

  • Joint pain that is intermittent
  • Back pain
  • Stiffness in joints

The American College of Rheumatology requires at least four of the following seven criteria to confirm the diagnosis
Morning stiffness around the joint that lasts at least 1 hour

Arthritis of three or more joints for at least 6 weeks

Arthritis of hand joints for at least 6 weeks

Arthritis on both sides of the body for at least 6 weeks

Rheumatoid nodules under the skin

Rheumatoid factor present in blood testing

Evidence of rheumatoid arthritis on X-rays

Affecting almost 1-2 % of the population globally a

Treatment for arthritis usually consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often referred to as NSAIDs. It is important to realize that while osteoporosis affects the bones, arthritis affects the joints. There is a condition that can combine both osteoporosis and arthritis which is also a completely different disease from osteoporosis. This is known as osteoarthritis or arthritis osteoporosis.

What foods increase arthritis pain?

Processed foods, salt, red meat, alcohol, and other foods may exacerbate arthritis joint pain and inflammation. Stick to low-calorie whole foods with lots of vitamins and fiber, like leafy greens and beans.

Ingredients that help Arthritis

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring nutrient in the body and a basic building block of key connective tissue components. Clinical studies have shown that glucosamine supplements can help reduce joint inflammation and swelling and increase joint mobility associated with arthritis.

Ginger and bromelains – Clinical studies with ginger and bromelains show that they also provide additional benefits in reducing symptoms of arthritis. Ginger and bromelain have both been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties which make them extremely beneficial for those suffering from inflamed joints due to exercise or arthritis.

Green tea is a powerful antioxidant that may assist in maintaining healthy joint cartilage. The catechins in green tea are powerful bioflavonoids that are believed to help keep the collagen strong, while also protecting against further free radical damage.

Willow Bark Tea: An ancient Chinese herbal pain relief remedy, willow bark is chemically similar to aspirin, and there are a handful of medical studies that support the use of willow bark in joint pain and osteoarthritis.

Apple Cider Vinger reduces inflammation and arthritis is basically inflammation of the joints.

Organic Moringa Leaf Powder: This amazing nutrient-dense gift from nature has been used as a dietary supplement for thousands of years by different cultures across the globe. The Moringa “Miracle Tree” boasts an amazing 30% plant-based protein, 90+ all-natural vitamins and minerals, all 8 essential amino acids, 46 powerful antioxidants, omega 3, 6, and 9, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and Vitamins A, K and C.

It’s no wonder Moringa has been selected by a number of NGOs for their food programs in many developing nations to fight malnutrition and starvation. Moringa is possibly the most nutrient-dense superfood discovered on earth.

Foods to Avoid

Trans Fats

Trans fats should be avoided since they can trigger or worsen inflammation and are very bad for your cardiovascular health. Trans fats come in most processed foods such as cookies, crackers, doughnuts, and fast food. On labels, they are referred to as “partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.”

Gluten

More than just a health trend, there are good reasons to avoid gluten. Chief among them is the connection between celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis. A recent study published in the Oxford Journal of Rheumatology states that 41 percent of those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis improve on gluten-free diets.

Refined Carbs & White Sugar

Simple carbs and refined sugar have earned themselves a bad name over the last few years and for good reason. These are nutrient-free toxins that the body has very little use for. They exacerbate inflammation and the food products that contain them tend to come with other enders like trans fats.

Processed & Fried Foods

Fried foods are overcooked and have had all or most of their nutrients destroyed. They also contain many known carcinogens. Many foods that come fried also contain a number of heavily processed ingredients. All of these will cause inflammation by triggering the body’s defense mechanisms, which will set of an arthritic flare-up.

The increased understanding of the immune mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis has led to the development of a considerable number of new therapeutic agents that alter the natural history of the disease and reduce mortality.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture can not only help relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis, but it can help you regain and maintain your freedom of movement.  Deficiency of qi, blood, liver, and kidney is the internal cause of RA. TCM can play the role of nourishing the liver and kidney, promoting qi.

Chinese herbs have been found to inhibit RA development and some of the effective ingredients have been verified. Furthermore, greatly enhanced life quality of RA patients was obtained using acupuncture and massage to relieve pain, expand joint motion and modulate emotion which mainly correlated with the possible modulation of the immune system, nerve system, and endocrine system.

There are so many medicinal plants that have shown anti-rheumatoid arthritis properties. So plants and plant products with significant advantages are used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The present review is focused on medicinal plants having anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity.

A large flora of herbal medicines is available in traditional medicine and basic scientific research has provided an understanding of the efficacy of these remedies in treating arthritis. In recent years, there has been a boom in research and industries focusing on herbal remedies to treat a variety of diseases including arthritis. Several developments in clinical studies in carefully designed clinical trials have made the way easier to include herbs as arthritis therapy. Various herbals and herbal formulas or extracts, such as Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction, Wu-Tou Tang, and extracts of the herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook, F., are proven to be beneficial for alleviating RA progression

A new study shows that the Chinese herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), also known as “lei gong teng” or “thunder god vine,” helped decrease joint tenderness and pain in a small group of people treated with the medicinal plant.

Resources

  1.  Zhang, P., Li, J., Han, Y. et al. Traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a general review. Rheumatol Int 30, 713–718 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-010-1370-0
  2. Kaur, A., Nain, P., & Nain, J. (2012). Herbal plants used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a review. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, 4(Suppl 4), 44-57.
  3. Patel, D., Kaur, G., Sawant, M. G., & Deshmukh, P. (2013). Herbal Medicine− A natural cure to arthritis.
  4. Zhang, Lingyue MS; Cao, Zuoyuan MS; Yang, Yeying MD; Tan, Xinyi MB; Mao, Jianchun MB; Su, Li MS Traditional Chinese medicine on treating active rheumatoid arthritis, Medicine: June 12, 2020 – Volume 99 – Issue 24 – p e20642 doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000020642

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