Osteo-arthritis is thought to be gradual degeneration of the cartilage between joint surfaces, together with a change in the synovial (lubricating) fluid in the sacs around the joints. Eventually, the bone ends develop rough spurs, which grind against each other causing pain and stiffness. The incidence of osteo-arthritis is therefore greater in older age groups.

Causes

Before we suggest natural ways to combat arthritis, we need to examine probable causes. These are thought to be:

¨       Shortages of nutrients needed for bone and cartilage. These can be caused by poor diet, poor digestion, or both.

¨       Intolerances to certain foods; these can be made worse by poor digestion and poor intestinal condition.

¨       Over-consumption of protein and/or too high a proportion of acid-forming foods; these interfere with the use of calcium for bone formation.

¨       Free radical damage; free radicals are highly reactive molecular fragments seeking to pair off with other molecules. When they do, tissue damage is caused.

Treatment

Diet

¨       Avoid those foods that will decrease nutrition. These are sugars, refined foods, caffeine-containing foods such as coffee, chocolate, fizzy drinks, and especially cola.

¨       Eliminate milk products, and citrus fruits. Tomatoes should be organic or vine-ripened.

¨       Reduce foods likely to cause intolerance; red meats, and for some people a group of foods called the nightshade family, including potatoes and green peppers.

¨       Avoid taking in foods likely to cause free radical damage. These are fried foods, smoked foods, hydrogenated and refined oils and alcohol. Smoking is also very harmful.

¨       Eat large amounts of non-root vegetables, and fruit other than citrus and tomatoes. These reduce acidity, and also supply lots of anti-oxidant nutrients (to combat free radicals) and also many vitamins and minerals.

Nutritional Supplements

¨       Strong multivitamin; a really good one will supply many of the anti-oxidant nutrients in sufficient amounts.

¨       Vitamin C; a powerful antioxidant and also very important for the production of cartilage.

¨       Fish oils; have powerful anti-inflammatory effects by reducing production of inflammatory prostaglandins.

¨       Calcium and magnesium; will help if your diet is short.

¨       Boron; helps the body to absorb and retain calcium, by activating vitamin D.

¨       Glucosamines; these are substances made from glucose and amino acids, which are found in all cells and in all connective and structural tissue. In other words, they hold the whole body together. We produce these materials as we need them, but if production breaks down then degeneration occurs. Supplementation with glucosamines can therefore have dramatic effects on tissues all over the body, particularly those under stress as in the joints.

¨       MSM (Organic Sulphur); has similar effects to glucosamine. A combination of the two is very effective.

Herbal Supplements

Boswellia

A standardised extract of Boswellia, used on its own at the rate of 600mg per day, has been shown, in one study, to improve symptoms in 97% of patients, aged from 5 to 75, presenting with rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment reduced joint swelling, reduced morning stiffness, increased mobility, reduced heat, increased blood circulation and gave pain relief. In addition to its anti-inflammatory and indirect pain-relieving action, boswellic acid, the main active constituent of boswellia extract, also has a repairing effect on all joint tissues, due to its powerful anti-oxidant effects. This herb extract is currently not too well known, but could become a major aid for joint problems during the next few years.

Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO)

This has similar anti-inflammatory effects to the essential fatty acids such as in fish oil. However, its effects are faster and much longer-lasting. The effects of one or two months’ usage can last up to six months.

To buy any of these products, click this link: www.NationalNutrition.co.uk