ARTHRITIS

ARTHRITIS
Arthritis refers to any disease that involves inflammation of the joints.

I. COMMON FORMS OF ARTHRITIS

OSTEOARTHRITIS - occurs when the cartilage covering the end of the bone deteriorates, causing the pain and swelling when the bones of the joints rub against each other.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS - an auto-immune disease where the body’s own immune system attacks the synovial membrane of the joints.
GOUTY ARTHRITIS - a form of arhtritis caused by crystal deposits made of urate at the joints as a result of uric acid overload in the body

II. DEVELOPMENT OF ARTHRITIS

FREE RADICALS + ANTIOXIDANTS DEFICIENCY
Free radical formation is a natural occurrence in the body brought about by respiration. However, smoking, excessive alcohol, pollution, excessive exposure to sunlight and chemical toxins from food or even from medicine can aggravate their formation which subsequently can cause damage to the organs of the body and in the case of arthritis, the joints.

Free radicals are formed when atoms lose their electrons in bio-chemical process. Atoms with unpaired electrons are highly reactive, causing oxidation to cell membrane and eventually damaging the cell .
Presence of antioxidants in the body can prevent the radicals from causing damage to the membrane of the cell by offering their own electrons or by becoming part of the body’s enzymes that breakdown radicals before they can cause any damage to the cells and tissues. Absence of antioxidants leaves the body defenseless to cell damaging activity of free radicals resulting to the disease of the organs, premature aging, and different kinds of chronic ailments including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

FAULTY DIET HABITS
 Diet high in trans fatty acids and food additives – trans fatty acids which are hydrogenized fats are pro free-radical fatty acids that can harm the joints; while food additives or preservatives are made of nitrites that the body can convert into nitrosamines, cell damaging and carcinogenic compounds (Family Medical, 218).
 High salt intake + low water intake – high salt intake causes water retention as the body attempts to maintain the balance of water and salt in the system. Water retention does mean retention of toxic metabolic waste such as uric acid and urea that can lodge and deposit in the joints resulting to arthritis.

III. PREVENTION / MANAGING ARTHRITIS

EXERCISE - Exercise does not only strengthen the joints but also relieves and drains the body of metabolic waste like uric acid, urea and phosphates.
AVOID ANIMAL FATS - Animal fats are high in cholesterol and saturated fats that can form into harmful prostaglandins that can aggravate joint inflammation.
AVOID FOODS HIGH IN TRANS FATTY ACID AND FOOD PRESERVATIVES – Trans fatty acids are hydrogenised fats and therefore pro free-radical fats, while food additives and preservatives which are made of nitrites can form into cell damaging and carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines.
EAT FOODS HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS - Antioxidants prevent oxidation that can cause damage to the organs of the body including the joints. Get your RDA of  Vit C - guava, citrus fruits, oranges; Beta-carotene - Sweet potato, papaya, carrots, squash, watermelon (Note: Nicotine and carrots combination can cause damage to the kidney and can form into carcinogenic compounds); Selenium - Tuna, oyster, tilapia, mushroom, wheat germ; Bioflavonoid and Quercetin - Onions, apples, grapes, tomato, red wine, grapefruits ; Phytochemicals - Vegetables and fruits (Food Cures, p161)
AVOID OR LESSEN INTAKE OF FOODS LOADED WITH PURINES
Purines are substances that give out metabolic waste called uric acid. Uric acid is believed to be the major cause of gouty arthritis. Foods loaded with purines are sardines, internal organs, beans, legumes, liver, beer, and peanuts.

IV. SUPPLEMENTS (Extract/Isolated Organic Chemicals)

COD LIVER OIL (Fish oil)
Source of Vit D that strengthens the joints
OMEGA 3 (DHA – Docosahexanoic acid; EPA – Eicosapentanoic acid)
These polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil (salmon, mackerel, tuna) can decrease inflammation and suppress production of cytokines and enzymes that erode the cartilage.
GLUCOSAMINE and CHONDROITIN
Supplements derived from sea shells; believed to strengthen and promote growth of cartilage
POLYPHENOLS – anti-inflammatory chemicals found in olive oil
GLA (Gamma linolenic acid) – polyunsaturated fats from evening primrose, borage oil and black currant

V. TRADITIONAL ORGANIC MEDICINES

Pansit-pansitan tea - lowers levels of uric acid in the blood that causes gouty arthritis and triggers attacks of painful osteoarthritis
Sambong tea - serves as diuretic that hastens cleansing of the body of metabolic wastes that cause arthritis
Ginger (as poultice or tea)- traditionally used as anti-inflammatory medicine that alleviates pain caused by arthritic attacks

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