At home help for Arthritis

Diet and nutritional therapy

Supplementing your diet with certain vitamins may relieve certain arthritic symptoms. All vitamins and supplements produce a variety of effects other than helping with Arthritis. Since they provide vitamins and nutrition in concentrations that are not usually found in nature, supplementing should be done with caution…

Acupuncture has been known for thousands of years to help relieve arthritis pains, and usually has an immediate effect.

Eating fresh raw foods has shown to be very effective and necessary if any cure to arthritic conditions is hoped. Read about the “Gerson therapy” for more information on how raw foods can heal inflammatory disorders.

-Beta carotene (vitamin A) has an antioxidant effect on cells, neutralizing destructive molecules called free radicals . Free radicals have a toxic heating effect on the body, so eliminating them helps to cool toxicity and inflammatory responses in the body.

-C Vitamins, B6, and E, as well as zinc, are thought to enhance collagen production and the repair of connective tissue. Collagen is essential to joint and tendon health. Vitamin C may also be advised for people taking aspirin, which depletes the body’s vitamin C balance.

-Vitamin E protects against muscle-wasting by enhancing circulation, which also helps to relieve the pressure from inflammation on the joints. Vitamin E, like the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used for arthritis, inhibits the prostaglandins that play a role in pain. Wheat germ, nuts and tomatoes are natural sources of Vitamin E, use with Caution: If you have high blood pressure, if you are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner).

-Niacin (vitamin B3) may also be helpful by enhancing circulation, although excessive use may generate heat and aggravate liver problems.

Additional supplemets that may help:

-Boron plays a major role in bone health. It helps the body regulate calcium, keeping it from leaving the body and weakening the bones. Research studies from around the world have shown that in areas where the soil contains more boron (people are presumably eating boron-rich foods grown in that soil) there is less osteoarthritis.  Apples, nuts and green leafy vegetables are good sources of boron.

-Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple, has a notable anti-inflammatory action.

-Black currant seed oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, fish oil, and flaxseed oil contain essential fatty acids that increase the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.

-DLPA (dl- phenylalanine ) is a simple nutritional amino acid. Studies have shown that DLPA effectively blocks arthritis pain and joint inflammation in many patients. It is much safer than the standard arthritis medications. It takes longer to show an effect compared to standard anti-pain and anti-arthritis drugs.

-Glucosamine, a compound of the simple sugar glucose and the amino acid glutamine, has been shown to be an effective natural means of slowing cartilage breakdown and encouraging cartilage repair. With continued use, it helps to relieve joint pain and stiffness. Several studies have shown that glucosamine can be a more effective pain reliever than ibuprofen for arthritis. It may take as long as six to eight weeks to attain maximum relief.

-Many people with arthritis are deficient in Manganese, a trace mineral that activates important enzymes for bone health.

-Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a natural source of sulfur, can help relieve arthritis pain and maintain joint health. Sulfur is an essential component of make up connective tissue.

-Omega-3 fatty acids, found in many fish, hemp and coconut products have shown promise in fighting arthritis.

-Pantothenic acid, part of the vitamin B complex, has been shown to help prevent and alleviate arthritis for over 40 years. It will take one to two weeks before you see any result. Some physicians recommend up to 12 g. of pantothenic acid a day, but this should be taken only under your doctor’s supervision.

-S-adenosylmethionine (SAM or SAM-e) is an amino acid shown to be comparable in effect to the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin. Like glucosamine, SAM plays a role in the formation of cartilage. It also exerts a mild analgesic effect. Some say it to be even more effective than Motrin in treating the pain of arthritis.

-Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that fights free-radical damage. You’ll find selenium in almonds, barley and oranges.

-Shark cartilage is believed to have potent anti-inflammatory effects, as well as blood moving qualities that help relieve pains. Since it is cartilage, it has a strong energetic resonance with joint and connective tissues.

-Superoxide dismutase, also known as SOD, has also shown promise as an arthritis fighter.