Friday

Discover Alternative Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

By Mike Leuthen

Because rheumatoid arthritis medications are known to have side effects -- some quite serious -- there is a growing interest in alternative therapies.

For rheumatoid arthritis in the early stages, an anti-inflammatory is usually the first choice. Typical anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis medications include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

Aspirin, as most people know, can cause stomach upset and eventually ulcers. Ibuprofen has caused liver damage, anemia, intestinal bleeding, diminished vision and meningitis. People who have aspirin sensitive asthma may also be sensitive to ibuprofen. It has not been proven safe for use by children and should not be used by pregnant women or nursing mothers. These side effects and possible dangers are some of the reasons that people look for alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.

Naproxen is another of the fast acting or anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis medications. In clinical trials of patients taking naproxen, one to ten percent experienced one or more of the following adverse reactions: heartburn, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, vertigo, itching, sweating, hearing problems, visual problems, cardiovascular edema, heart palpitations, vomiting, gastro-intestinal bleeding, ulcers, anemia and other side effects.

Natural anti-inflammatory botanicals, nutritional supplements and herbal remedies may be considered as alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.

Zinc, an essential mineral, has been shown to be capable of inhibiting the inflammatory response, but most studies of zinc supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis patients have been inconclusive. Like many supplements and alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, zinc seems to help some people and has no side effects, unless high doses are used.

Botanicals and herbal remedies which may be considered as supplemental or alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis include ginger root, bromelain, feverfew, turmeric and mangosteen.

Ginger, turmeric and mangosteen have all been used historically by native peoples to treat pain and reduce swelling. The effectiveness of ginger as an alternative to rheumatoid arthritis medications has been studied in clinical trials and indicates that it does show promise.

A small clinical study (18 patients) concluded that turmeric was nearly as effective as one of the anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis medications, but it is not clear whether this was a placebo effect, since there was no control group. Additionally there is some disagreement concerning whether it should be used in the powdered form or as a tea.

Mangosteen is a relatively new and exciting addition to the western world as an anti-inflammatory. It was used historically by the native peoples of Thailand, Vietnam, India, China, Malaysia and the Philippines to treat a variety of bodily aches and pains.

The mangosteen is a fruit and its most readily available form is a drink that contains a puree of the fruit and its rind. It is important when purchasing mangosteen products to consider only the ones that include the rind, because anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory components and even Cox inhibitors are concentrated in it, as well as numerous vitamins and minerals.

While no human clinical studies have been completed to date concerning mangosteen’s efficacy as an alternative or supplement to rheumatoid arthritis medications, numerous laboratory studies have shown that certain of the “xanthones” (powerful anti-oxidants) are anti-inflammatory and Cox-2 inhibitors.

Alternative Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

According to Dr J. Frederic Templeman, M.D. in response to the question "Will the Mangosteen help with pain?" he states: "...Presumptively the mangosteen inhibits the pain-related action of the Cox-2 enzyme in the CNS [Central Nervous System] and blocks pain impulse generation.

So yes, the mangosteen may significantly reduce any pain you might be experiencing." [End Quote]

Prescription Cox-2 inhibitors are being shunned by a great many people due to their numerous undesirable and serious side effects. Indeed, the Cox-2 inhibitor, Vioxx™, was taken off of the market worldwide for a time because of the health dangers associated with it and has embroiled Merck in a nightmare of legal woes.

Lab rats or cell lines have been used to conduct mangosteen research and there were no reported side effects. It is believed that because the mangosteen contains the anti-ulcer compounds ascorbic acid, beta carotene, fiber and pectin, it would not have any of the gastric side effects common in anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis medications.

Other compounds found in the fruit may promote heart health and are anti-hypertensive, so health problems associated with prescription Cox-2 inhibiting rheumatoid arthritis medications should not occur with mangosteen usage.

It is possible that mangosteen could one day be considered an effective supplemental or alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. Hopefully, at some point, clinical studies can confirm this, but research is expensive and usually funded by pharmaceutical companies, which is why there are so few studies of the effectiveness of herbal and botanical remedies, particularly in the United States.

Studies of alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis have shown that diet plays a possible role. Patients who have used a diet that excluded common food allergens such as grains, milk, nuts, beef and eggs reported being symptom free for as long as five years, as long as they stuck to the diet.

In addition to or as an alternative to anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis medications, some doctors prescribe corticosteroids like prednisone. But, while these may be effective for short-term relief of symptoms, long-term use of corticosteroids is known to cause many other health problems including diabetes.

In addition, they tend to lose their effectiveness, and can be habit forming. When a patient has been taking corticosteroid rheumatoid arthritis medications, they must be “weaned” off of them, meaning the medication must be gradually reduced before switching to alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.
Mike Leuthen is chief editor of http://www.restore-your-health.com, a comprehensive resource discussing health conditions A to Z. Visit us on the web for more info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Leuthen

Can Mangosteen Juice Relieve Arthritis Pain?

By Janet Martin

[Webmasters Note: Here is a contrary opinion on the question. Because the fruit is a nutritional supplement, controlled studies is never going to be funded to anywhere near the same extent as they are for drugs. This then makes it convenient to knock natural approaches for lacking enough said studies.]

It's supposed to cure everything from cancer to bacterial infections. Now they're saying it's good for arthritis pain and inflammation. Are the claims for mangosteen juice true or should you just ignore them?

Mangosteen juice comes from a fruit that is found in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and other Southeast Asian countries. Despite its name, this tropical fruit isn't related to the mango. It's as big an as apple or tangerine and has a creamy flesh. The juice is made by liquefying the seeds, rind, and flesh of the fruit.

"The fruit is marketed as a supplement, available as a juice and in capsule form. The juice typically consists of a mix of mangosteen and other fruit juices, such as apple, pear and blueberry - with an often undisclosed amount of mangosteen juice," according to the Mayo Clinic.

Like other fruits and vegetables, mangosteen is rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, potassium, iron, and calcium. The "Queen of Fruit" is rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body that have been linked to heart disease and cancer. It is also a good source of xanthones - chemicals that appear to have potent anti-inflammatory effects.

Marketers of mangosteen juice have even gone as far as saying that the drink has anti-aging, antibiotic, and anti-viral properties.

Unfortunately, these claims are not backed by scientific evidence and are mostly anecdotal in nature. Others are based on a few studies that show good results in animals - not humans. For this reason, it's too early to say whether this juice will help arthritis sufferers.

"No major studies on humans have proven that drinking mangosteen juice on a daily basis would offer significant improvement in illness. However, increasing one's daily dosage of antioxidants, even from supplements, has been proven to boost our absorption of vitamins and therefore strengthen immunity. Yet, the difference between doubling our intake of antioxidants and increasing it tenfold has the same results. Therefore, this juice has no significant advantage over a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, as yet," said S. Mithra in WiseGeek.com.

Until these claims are proven, don't pin your hopes on this juice, especially if you have arthritis. Many medications can help control arthritis pain and inflammation. One popular product is Flexcerin, a natural supplement that soothes aching joints, rebuilds worn joints, and restores joint flexibility and mobility. For details, go to http://www.flexcerin.com.

If you enjoy drinking mangosteen juice, you're welcome to continue doing so although there are less expensive fruit juices that are equally nutritious. But don't expect miracles from this habit.

"So for the time being, drink this juice if you enjoy the taste. But until human studies are completed, claims that mangosteen can cure arthritis or any other disease are just that - undocumented claims," concluded the Mayo Clinic.
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Martin

Doctors Who Support Mangosteen for Arthritis Pain Relief

Dr. Enrique Martinez, M.D.states:
"I am a medical doctor specializing in occupational medicine. I have an acute shoulder
pain, and I have been using different non-steroidal anti-inflammatories with a poor
response. I have found that when I use Mangosteen juice in addition to the normal, not-
steroidal anti-inflammatories, the RESPONSE IS MUCH FASTER AND LASTS
LONGER, SO I FEEL RELIEF FROM THE PAIN."

Dr. J. Frederic Templeman wrote that he uses the Mangosteen extract as "first-line therapy" in the following conditions:
arthritis
acid dyspepsia or gastritis
allergic rhinitis
diverticutitis
eczema
fibromyalgia
gastro-esophageal reflux disease
hiatal hernia
irritable bowel disease
mild depression or dysthymia
mild to moderate anxiety states
mild to moderate asthma
neurodermatitis
non-arthritis muscle or joint pain
otitis externa
recurrent urinary tract infection
sleep disorders

"I personally think Mangosteen is a superior natural product because it has been researched for the last 20 years, and even more so in the last five years, and the findings are amazing."(2)
- Armando de Guzman, M.D.

Dr. Roland Phillips, in his book "Mangosteen: Super Nutrition for the 21st Century", discussed his medical group's experience in helping patients with a Mangosteen preparation and provided the following short list of health issues they've successfully addressed:

Acute acne vulgaris
Allergies
Angina
Arthritis
Asthma and wheezing
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Chronic fatigue
Chronic pain
Colicky baby
Cracked heels and fungus
Crying spells
Depression
Diabetes, Type II
Diarrhea
Feline panleukopenia
Fibromyalgia
Flu
Glaucoma
raves disease
Gum sores
Heart fibrillation
Hepatitis C
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Hypothyroidism
Increased healing, post surgery
Infertility
Insomnia
Irritable bowel syndrome
Joint pain
Macular degeneration
Mood instability
Muscle aches
Pimples/cysts
Pinched nerve
Plantar warts
Psoriasis
Rashes
Scorpion bites
Sebaceous cyst
Sinusitis
Skin patches, rough skin
Spider bites
Tricatellamania
Tumors

Arthrits Relief with Simple Dietary Changes

The best course of action to take sometimes isn't clear until you've listed and considered ALL of your alternatives. The following paragraphs should help clue you in to what changes the experts think are significant when trying to control the pain of Arthritis..

Arthritis is one of the most prevalent health problems facing today's aging population.

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which usually strikes weight-bearing joints such as the ankles, knees and hips. Pain is caused by the gradual breakdown of cartilage, the soft "padding" material that cushions the joints.

About 85% of adults who reach the age of 85 will have osteoarthritis--unless they take a proactive approach to prevent it.

Exercise is very important. But what about diet?

For a long time, doctors doubted there could be any link between diet and osteoarthritis. They saw the disease as a natural result of wear and tear on the joints, something inevitable as we age.

But new research is making them reconsider that idea.

It now appears that nutrition plays a vital role in helping to prevent or ease the effects of osteoarthritis. One key element is vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, and may protect the joints from the damaging effects of free radicals (unstable molecules that can cause joint inflammation).

Recent research is showing that vitamin C can help prevent bone loss and cartilage inadequacies associated with aging. Specifically, when your joint has cartilage that needs to be repaired, vitamin C is needed for such repairs. It helps to keep your cartilage "young".

The information about Arthritis presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Arthritis or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

According to Dr. Timothy McAlindon of the Boston University School of Medicine, "Vitamin C may also help generate collagen, which enhances the body's ability to repair damage to the cartilage."

When scientists at the Boston University School of Medicine studied the eating habits of people with osteoarthritis of the knee, they found that those getting the most vitamin C--more than 200 milligrams a day--were three times less likely to have the disease get worse than those who got the least vitamin C (less than 120 milligrams a day).

Dr. McAlindon recommends that people get a least 120 milligrams of vitamin C every day. "That's the amount in a couple of oranges," he says.

Dr. Michael F. Roizen and Dr. Mehmet C. Oz, co-authors of "You: The Owner's Manual", recommend even more. "Shoot for 1200 milligrams of vitamin C a day--spread between your diet and supplements throughout the day."

Be careful not to overdo it. Some data suggest that more than 2,500 milligrams a day can have the opposite effect and actually increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

Dr. Eve Campanelli, a holistic family practitioner in Beverly Hills, CA, recommends black cherry juice. She advises her patients to drink two glasses, twice a day, of four ounces of the juice diluted with four ounces of water.

Other fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C include oranges, cantaloupe, broccoli, strawberries, peppers and cranberry juice.

A healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, has been recommended by nutritionists for years. Now there's another reason to pay attention--it can help your joints to stay young!



Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of Arthritis. Share your new understanding about Arthritis with others. They'll thank you for it.

Arthritic Diets

Doctors have known for a long time that diet affects gout, a specific type of arthritic condition, however the jury remained out for a long time on other common types of arthritis such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. However, overall dietary health is important and does come into play.

Being overweight can affect certain arthritic conditions, forcing some joints to carry more of a load. This added weight stresses the joints, causing overuse or more wear to components, and pain, especially in the knees. So making sure arthritic sufferers eat god foods and get help from healthcare providers to create and follow a well-balanced dietary plan is advised.

To begin, here is a look at some vitamins, minerals, nutrients / foods and some herbal applications to consider.

VITAMINS

Vitamin B5 – When grouped and tanked together, B vitamins work at their peak. They, and B5 specifically, are good for reducing swelling.

Vitamin B3 – This vitamin reduces tissue swelling and dilates small arteries, increasing blood flow. Note that Vitamin B3 is NOT advised for persons with high blood pressure, gout or sliver disorders.

Vitamin B6 – Another B that reduces tissue swelling.

Vitamin B12 – This vitamin aids in multiple functions. It helps with cell formation, digestion, myelin production, nerve protection.

Vitamin C - This vitamin acts as an anti-inflammatory, relieving pain, and rids the body of free radicals.

Vitamin E – This is a strong antioxidant that protects joints from free radicals while increases joint flexibility.

Vitamin K – This vitamin assists with mineral deposit into the bone matrix.

MINERALS

Boron – This trace mineral aids in bone health.

Calcium – This is a much-needed mineral for bone health.

Magnesium – Magnesium helps keep calcium in balance within the system.

Zinc – This mineral is necessary for bone growth, but is often lacking in arthritic patients.

Manganese – Manganese is also necessary for bone growth. However, do not ingest manganese with calcium because they can work against each other.

Copper – Copper helps to strengthen connective tissue.

Germanium – This antioxidant helps with pain relief.

Sulfur – A lack of sulfur can result in deterioration of ligaments, cartilage, collagen and tendons.

NUTRIENT COMBOS

Chondroitin Sulfate – This lubrication in joints, joint fluid and connective tissue, can be found in the sea cucumber.

Gelatin – Help with raw cartilage replenishing with this cheap source.

Glucosamine Sulfate – This combo is necessary for tendon, ligament, bone, cartilage, and synovial (joint) fluid formation.

Quercetin – This helps with inflammation reduction.

Type II Collagen – Use this for growth and repair of joints, articular cartilage and connective tissue.

Arthritic Diets And Nutritional Healing

There are many factors to consider with regards to arthritic diets and nutritional healing, and each factor may not apply to each individual. For example, certain people are allergic to specific foods, and these allergies can indeed worsen arthritic conditions. Ingesting foods that contain sodium nitrate or tartrazine can inflame rheumatoid arthritis, while ingesting foods containing a substance called hydrazine can contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus, an arthritic condition connected to lupus.

There is a rare type of arthritis called Behcet's Disease, and eating black walnuts can cause flare-ups in people with this rare condition. So as you see, there is a variety of arthritic conditions and along with them a variety of foods that may trigger them. The best way to approach the situation is to examine each arthritic condition and tailor one’s approach based upon the specifics.

The term arthritis covers over 100 different diseases and conditions. Since it would be impossible to cover all of them in a work such as this, we will look at the most common conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and gout. There is a prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers that have an abnormally low blood zinc level. Several independent studies have been conducted where rheumatoid arthritis patients have been given increased doses of zinc and showed marginal improvement, yet the tests were not extensive enough to be conclusive.

The effects of copper on rheumatoid arthritis have been studied for a long time, and although results vary there seems to be some case for using copper to improve the condition, although this therapy has been dismissed by most of the medical profession as relatively ineffective. Copper therapy is not discouraged however when approached from food sources, and may work on some individuals. It is suggested that if you do attempt copper therapy, that copper-rich foods are utilized instead of copper supplements, because copper supplements can cause side effects which include change in sense of taste and smell, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abnormal blood clots, increased joint pain, chills, anemia and kidney problems, and excess copper can cause cirrhosis of the liver in patients prone to Wilson’s Disease.

Check with your doctor to be sure you are not prone to storing excess copper in your body. There is an extensive choice of foods you can enjoy in order to increase your copper intake: lamb; pork; pheasant quail; duck; goose; squid; salmon; organ meats including liver, heart, kidney, brain; shellfish including oysters, scallops, shrimp, lobster, clams, and crab; meat gelatin; soy protein meat substitutes; tofu; nuts and seeds; chocolate milk; soy milk; cocoa are just a few of the foods that are rich in copper.

As for foods to avoid when suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, many nutritionists and naturopaths suggest avoiding dairy products all together, as they seem to exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups. Because of the risk in overdosing, one should be discouraged from taking doses of vitamins that are higher than recommended without a physician’s direction. Some vitamins and minerals can actually worsen certain conditions, and the concentration that can be attained through vitamins can be dangerous. It is much better to approach any desired increase in vitamin or mineral intake through food therapy.

There has been some success with the food supplements glucosamine and chondroitin in relieving symptoms of pain and stiffness for some persons with osteoarthritis. These supplements can be found in pharmacies and health food stores, however the purity of the products or the dose of the active ingredients cannot be specified because the FDA does not monitor these supplements. The National Institutes of Health is studying glucosamine and chondroitin, so more should be known about the effectiveness of these products for osteoarthritis in the near future. Patients with osteoarthritis taking blood-thinners should be careful taking chondroitin as it can increase the blood-thinning and cause excessive bleeding.

Fish oil supplements have been shown to have some anti-inflammation properties and increasing the dietary fish intake and/or fish oil capsules (omega 3 capsules) can sometimes reduce inflammation of arthritis. With osteoarthritis there is also the concern with deterioration of cartilage; therefore those with osteoarthritis should avoid large doses of Vitamin-A, since there is some evidence that it contributes to cartilage deterioration.

In the case of fibromyalgia, although clinical proof is once again sparse, there is a great deal of personal experiences of improvement of this condition when certain dietary practices are followed. Eliminating wheat, dairy, citrus, sugar, Aspertame, alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco seem to be universal in those that have had success with treating the illness through dietary means. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, author of “The Total Health Program,” nine of ten sufferers of fibromyalgia are female, and 76% of those who followed suggested dietary rules experienced a significant reduction in pain.

The thing to keep in mind with fibromyalgia is that, unlike the other common arthritis ailments, it is more of a syndrome than a disease, and much of it can be reversed. Making corrections to diet as well as reducing stress and getting plenty of rest can lead to a full recovery.

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