Arthritis Is Reversible

[Rene]

Arthritis Is Reversible

by author Zoltan Rona, MD

Most medical doctors believe that arthritis is incurable and that its symptoms can only be suppressed with drugs. Most medical doctors believe that arthritis is incurable and that its symptoms can only be suppressed with drugs. Nothing could be further from the truth. Arthritis of any kind can be arrested and, in many cases, reversed if one provides the body with an optimal diet and supplemental nutrients.

Milo, a 76-year-old bank manager who spends many hours each day sitting in front of his computer, is a case in point. He recently developed severe neck and shoulder pain, which an orthopedic doctor diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the neck. Milo was prescribed Vioxx, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which he dutifully swallowed for three weeks prior to his visit to my office.

I placed Milo on a hypoallergenic diet free of dairy products, red meats, grains and nightshade foods (i.e., tomatoes and potatoes), and prescribed twice-weekly injections of vitamin B12. I also advised a combination of bromelain, boswellia and turmeric. He discontinued the Vioxx.

Three days later, symptoms improved by at least 50 per cent. He was completely pain-free with a full range of motion in his head and neck on his follow-up visit three weeks later. Now six months later, he continues to follow his healthy diet and take a low maintenance dose of herbal anti-inflammatory supplements, with no side-effects.

Eliminating Pain
Coffee, regular tea and alcohol must be eliminated since their caffeine content promotes mineral loss. Eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates in any form. Avoid dairy products and gluten-containing grains, especially wheat, rye, oats and barley. Nightshade foods (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplants) might have to be eliminated by those who have joint pains associated with their consumption. They contain solanine, which interferes with enzymatic action in the muscles, causing pain. Certain foods such as beef, pork and fried foods are allergens that may aggravate inflammation. If you’re not sure what foods or substances you might be allergic to, see a natural health-care provider.

Supplements
Arthritis reversal can be accelerated or further enhanced with a few natural remedies. Most of these compounds have been shown to be at least as effective as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as Aspirin and ibuprofen for controlling or eliminating symptoms.

Following is a list, in order of importance, of natural remedies that can enhance the results of diet and lifestyle changes. We are all biochemically unique; no single regimen will work equally well for one and all. For some people, cod liver oil will be enough to do the trick, while others may need to use a combination of six or more supplements for optimal symptom control.

Consult with your health-care practitioner, then experiment until you find the combination that works best for you. If you have a history of liver disease, consult a physician before taking high doses of any nutritional supplement. As a general rule, take vitamins and minerals with meals and herbs on an empty stomach.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Long before supplements such as glucosamine sulphate became household names for reversing osteoarthritis, millions of people found great relief from joint pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion with daily cod liver oil.

Cod liver oil helps to reverse osteoarthritis naturally, and is the best first-line therapy for any inflammatory condition. Cod, halibut and shark liver oils all contain healthy fats that stimulate the body to manufacture anti-inflammatory hormones called prostaglandins. Good results can be anticipated in three to six months. When combined with niacinamide and glucosamine sulphate, osteoarthritis can be significantly improved within six weeks or less.

Dosage: Typical therapeutic dosages are nine to 12 grams daily of capsules, or two to three tablespoons of oil with meals.

Hemp Seed Oil
Another more palatable source of essential fatty acids is hemp seed oil, the production of which has recently been legalized in Canada. This oil contains nearly double the amount of anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids as other oils. It, too, is highly effective as an anti-inflammatory supplement.

Dosage: A typical dose is two to three tablespoons daily, taken straight or mixed with soups, salads or nut butters (almond, sesame).

Niacinamide
This B vitamin may enhance glucocorticoid secretion, a naturally produced anti-inflammatory adrenal hormone. If taking niacinamide, supplement with other B-complex vitamins to achieve a proper balance. In one clinical study on the use of niacinamide (vitamin B3), 72 patients with osteoarthritis received either niacinamide or a placebo. Arthritis improved 29 percent in those taking niacinamide and worsened by 10 percent in the placebo subjects. Beneficial effects begin between one and three months. Maximum benefit can be reached in one to three years.

Dosage: 1,000 milligrams four times daily with meals.

Glucosamine Sulphate
Numerous double-blind studies in the 1980s concluded that supplementation with glucosamine sulphate reverses osteoarthritis. Other studies show it to be superior in pain relief to NSAIDS, improving joint function and helping to reduce the pain of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine sulphate actually works to repair the damage done by osteoarthritis, not just treat the symptoms. Its effectiveness in treating the damage results in effective pain relief as well.

Dosage: The usual effective dose for adults is 500 mg three times daily with meals.

Vitamin C
High doses of vitamin C have been proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect in osteoarthritis. In one study involving 640 participants, high doses of vitamin C reduced the progression of osteoarthritis by a factor of three. This related mostly to a reduced risk of cartilage loss. Those with high vitamin C intake also had a reduced risk of developing knee pain. A high intake of antioxidant nutrients, particularly vitamin C, may reduce the risk of cartilage loss and disease progression in people with osteoarthritis.

Dosage: 1,000 mg three times daily with meals, or to bowel tolerance (the point at which diarrhea from vitamin C occurs).

Vitamin E
At dosages of 800 IU daily, vitamin E may be a prostaglandin inhibitor similar to NSAIDS, but without the side-effects. Vitamin E decreases the blood levels of lipid (fat) peroxides and has been proven to be superior to placebo with respect to pain relief.

Dosage: 800 IU three times daily with meals.

Glutamine (or L-glutamine)
This amino acid supplement helps repair leaky gut syndrome, a phenomenon associated with most autoimmune forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Stress and inflammation increase the body’s demand for glutamine. Studies have shown that supplementing glutamine can prevent muscle wasting, weight loss and other common problems encountered with RA.

Dosage: 4,000 mg three times daily (best on empty stomach).

Vitamin D
Daily intake of vitamin D from cod or halibut liver oil is an effective osteoarthritis treatment, playing an essential role in calcium metabolism. This vitamin can also be obtained in adequate amounts from exposure to sunshine. After 20 minutes in the sun, a cholesterol derivative in the skin begins to manufacture vitamin D.

Dosage: 400 IU three times daily with meals.

Selenium
Daily supplementation with selenium helps elevate levels of glutathione peroxidase, a selenium-containing antioxidant enzyme that helps to detoxify the body and prevent cell damage.

Dosage: 200 micrograms daily with meals.

Zinc and Copper
Levels of these minerals are often low in those suffering from osteoarthritis. Hair mineral analysis is one way of assessing zinc and copper levels in the body. Copper bracelets have been used effectively for pain control for many years.

Dosage: Varies with individuals; consult with a health-care practitioner.

Manganese
This mineral is an important component of articular cartilage, and is helpful in treating osteoarthritis. Like iron, calcium, zinc and copper, manganese requires proper amounts of stomach acid for its absorption. It may be deficient in people with a low output of stomach hydrochloric acid.

Dosage: 15 to 30 mg daily with meals.

Chondroitin Sulphate
This supplement has been found to be effective for osteoarthritis sufferers. The healing effects of chondroitin sulphate were all studied with the injectable form. But although very poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, chondroitin sulphate taken orally appears to have a beneficial effect. When taken together, glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate work synergistically to decrease destruction of cartilage and stimulate its production.

Dosage: 500 mg three times daily with meals.

Methyl Sulfonyl Methane (MSM)
This natural form of organic sulphur is a critical component of the amino acids methionine, cysteine and cystine, which are contained in the cellular proteins of all living organisms. Sulphur is needed for the proteins of hair, nails and skin, as well as for glutathione, one of the body’s most important antioxidants. A deficiency of MSM can result in fatigue and an increased susceptibility to arthritis. MSM is present in raw fruits, vegetables and some grains, but is commonly lost during cooking, food processing and storage.

Dosage: 3,000 mg three times daily with meals. It’s most effective when combined with vitamin C (three to six grams daily).

Quercetin
This is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid that has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Quercetin helps reduce the formation of leukotrienes, which are substances associated with the symptoms of most autoimmune diseases. It also prevents the breakdown of matrix of connective tissue.

Dosage: 500 mg three times daily with meals.

Devil’s Claw
This South African plant root is observed to have an action comparable to that of phenylbutazone (a NSAID) in several European studies. Besides anti-inflammatory glycosides, devil’s claw also contains numerous complex constituents including the phytosterols, B-sitosterol and stigmasterol, unsaturated fatty acids, triterpenes and flavonoids. Its low toxicity potential makes it worth trying as part of a comprehensive natural regime to reverse osteoarthritis.

Dosage: 500 mg three times daily (empty stomach).

Enzymes
Plant-based digestive enzymes (bromelain, papain) and pancreatin enzymes (animal based) are often used as oral supplements to enhance digestion. When these are taken on an empty stomach (about one hour away from food), they enter the bloodstream and work as powerful anti-inflammatory agents, reducing pain, swelling and infection while improving joint flexibility.

Dosage: Five capsules three times daily (empty stomach).

Boswellia
This herb native to India has well-proven anti-arthritic effects. It helps prevent decreased cartilage and improves blood supply to the joints. Boswellia is often in combination products containing bromelain, yucca, devil’s claw and other natural compounds.

Dosage: 400 mg three times daily (empty stomach).

Ginger
Regular supplementation for three months or longer can reduce pain, swelling and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis in 75 per cent of people. Ginger is soothing for not only inflamed joints but also any inflamed parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

Dosage: 1,000 mg three times daily (empty stomach).

Curcumin
The yellow pigment of the herb turmeric is called curcumin. In some studies it has been reported to be equally effective as cortisone without any of the associated side-effects. Curcumin is primarily effective as a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

Dosage: 500 mg three times daily with meals.

Yucca
A saponin extract of the desert yucca plant helps reverse osteoarthritis within three months of use without side-effects.

Dosage: 500 mg three times daily (empty stomach).

The treatment approach taken to any form of arthritis depends on many different factors and is best individualized for the patient by a natural health-care practitioner.

Arthritis Stats • Arthritis is one of Canada’s most common chronic conditions.
• More than four million Canadians have arthritis.
• There are more than 100 forms of arthritis.
• For many types of arthritis, women are affected more often than men.
• The number of Canadians with arthritis is projected to increase from 2.9 million in 1991 to 6.5 million by 2031. This is equal to 100,000 per year, 8,000 per month, 2,000 per week or 300 per day.
• Arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases ranked second among the four most costly illnesses in Canada in 1993.
• Arthritis is the most common cause of long-term disability in Canada.
• Arthritis is the third most frequent reason for prescription drug use in Canada and the second most frequent reason for non-prescription drug use.
Source: Arthritis Society, arthritis.ca

What Causes Arthritis?
Regardless of the type, arthritis has multiple causes influenced by diet, lifestyle, and heredity. In any preventive or therapeutic approach, one must consider all of the following factors:

Family history - exact mechanisms unclear.

Previous joint damage or injury - particularly true for osteoarthritis.

Wear and tear of aging - mainly true for osteoarthritis.

Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency- potential cause of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and most autoimmune diseases. May be present in up to 40 percent of patients with arthritis. Since a healthy level of stomach acidity is required for mineral absorption, low levels of hydrochloric acid may be responsible for malabsorption of minerals such as copper, zinc, manganese, calcium and magnesium. These minerals are important for healthy bone metabolism. A deficiency can make arthritis worse.

Vitamin D Deficiency- can lead to osteoarthritis. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Low vitamin D intake and blood levels are associated with an increased risk for the progression of osteoarthritis. Low blood levels of vitamin D are also related to loss of cartilage and the formation of degenerative bony spurs.

Fluoride - may cause osteoarthritis. At levels as low as one part per million in drinking water, fluoride gives rise to an increase in the urine concentration of certain biological chemicals that signal the breakdown of collagen as well as the irregular formation of collagen in the body. If you have any form of arthritis, avoid fluoride in toothpastes, mouth rinses, tap water and dental treatments of any kind.

Mineral Deficiencies- can either cause or worsen just about any type of arthritis. Calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, silicon, sulphur, boron and numerous other lesser-known minerals are involved in bone synthesis, breakdown and repair.

Food Allergies - may be a hidden or unsuspected cause of chronic joint inflammation leading to different types of arthritis, especially those associated with immune system dysfunction such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Leaky Gut Syndrome- caused by inflammation of the gut lining. Inflammation causes the spaces between cells to enlarge, allowing large protein molecules to be absorbed. The immune system starts making antibodies against the larger molecules because it recognizes these as foreign, invading substances. These food antibodies can get into various tissues and trigger an inflammatory reaction when the corresponding food is consumed. Autoantibodies are thus created, and inflammation can become chronic. If this inflammation occurs in a joint, autoimmune arthritis develops.

Mercury Fillings - leak mercury vapour into the body on a daily basis. In many cases of autoimmune disease, replacement of mercury with non-metal fillings is effective at reversing arthritis symptoms. Mercury may well be behind the immune system abnormalities leading to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Yeast, Fungi And Their Mycotoxins - linked by many experts to different forms of arthritis. Autoimmune diseases often respond to a low-carbohydrate, yeast-free diet and antifungal remedies such as oil of oregano, mild silver protein, garlic, probiotics (e.g. Lactobacillus acidophilus).

Parasites - compete with us for nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids, and secrete waste products into our gut and bloodstream that are capable of causing various allergic and autoimmune reactions. A high percentage of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis respond favourably to antiparasitic programs or cleanses.

Dangers Of Aspirin And NSAIDS
Drugs prescribed for arthritis may offer temporary pain relief, but they actually worsen arthritis because they inhibit cartilage repair. Long-term use of Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can also cause gastrointestinal ulcers and internal bleeding. People given corticosteroids to reduce inflammation can experience side-effects such as bruising, osteoporosis, hip fractures, cataracts, weight gain, susceptibility to infections, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Dr. Rona is the author of several best-selling books, including Osteoarthritis: Treat and Reverse Joint Pain Naturally, alive Natural Health Guide #16, available at your local health food store or by calling 1-800-663-6513. Visit Dr. Rona’s Web site at drzoltanrona.com.

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