How Proteolytic Enzymes Work For RA

Proteolytic Enzymes are commonly known as proteases which work in harmony with body mechanics to break down proteins. Trypsin from the pancreas, papain and bromelain are three common examples for Proteolytic Enzymes.

When it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, Proteolytic Enzymes are known to work positively by breaking down complex components that build up between antibodies and antigens. Rheumatoid arthritis being an autoimmune system disease benefit through proteases because it facilitates and eases the body mechanics that gets congested due to inflammations that are caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Proteolytic Enzymes is known to contain anti inflammatory properties and therefore, scientists look hopeful on the fact of being able to use it in order to relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. And who could predict, maybe it could even cure the condition up to a certain extent?

There's also a theory which is yet to be proven that states proteases has the ability to dismantle a fibrin mantle that builds itself around affected areas of the immune system caused by rheumatoid conditions. If this notion is true and if Proteolytic Enzymes can actually make a break through, we can consider ourselves to be very much near a new discovery of a rheumatoid arthritis cure because breaking down the fibrin mantle will mean that the immune system can once again; resume its normal duties relieving pain and all other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. However, all this will be possible only if the suspected root cause of rheumatoid arthritis is true and accurate.

Although the theory sounds simple enough, putting it in to practice is not. After all, experiments will need to be longitudinal in nature in order to determine the proper outcomes. Therefore, perhaps we should not get too excited. Instead, let's try to figure out how best we could use proteases for our advantage.

Contrary to the popular myth, Proteolytic Enzymes do not have to be derived from food because our bodies are known to be capable of manufacturing enough of it to suffice body functions. But Proteolytic Enzymes deficiencies do come about giving rise to various illnesses including pancreatic diseases.

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, it is a good idea to seek professional advice with regards to using a supplement for proteases. Not many traditional medical practitioners will approve you to follow this experimental path however, if you find someone who's willing to support your journey with Proteolytic Enzymes, you may be able to find out the results for yourself.

Living with rheumatoid arthritis is a challenge and getting in to different types of treatments for RA is no second to challenges posed by the disease, itself. Therefore, if you are willing to take a risk, face the challenges in a positive light and move on with whatever circumstances that you may confront in life, enzyme therapy for Proteolytic Enzymes may be the right choice for you.

Before you proceed any further, make it a point to read further more on the topic - purchase a few ebooks on the subject if possible and educate yourself on the matter so that you know what to expect and what not to.

Relieve Arthritis Pain With Honey and Cinnamon

Arthritis pain is nothing to joke about. It makes for miserable lives. While checking into natural remedies, I came across how to relieve arthritis pain with honey and cinnamon. I know it sounds a bit weird - but who cares if it works!

There are a couple of ways to take the honey and cinnamon - as a daily drink or as a tincture to put on painful and swollen joints.

For the drink: For your health, the best quality organic honey would be preferable as well as good quality cinnamon. It seems though there are many 'recipes' out there, so there seems to be no need to obsess about exact measurements. One cup of hot water with two spoons of honey in it and one small teaspoon of cinnamon. This can be taken once or twice during the day (i.e. in the morning and before bed). If this is too sweet, then reduce the honey to one teaspoon. Similarly if the cinnamon taste is too hard to take, then reduce it to half a teaspoon. It seems only important that honey and cinnamon are present in the mix. It really depends on what works for you.
For the tincture: Mix one part honey to two parts of lukewarm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder until it forms a paste. Massage this paste onto the itching/painful part of your body in a slow circular motion. Many people have found that their pain gets noticeably less within a matter of minutes.

Considering that there are a large number of people being helped every day by taking this concoction of honey and cinnamon to relieve their arthritis pain, I would imagine it's definitely worth a try. If it doesn't work right away (although many people do report an immediate effect), please try it out for a minimum of four weeks. There really is nothing to lose and everything to gain!

It seems that this combination is also helpful for the common cold, coughs and sinus infections, hair loss, bladder infections, stomach aches, high cholesterol and even toothache (where you put the tincture made with honey and cinnamon without any water on the aching tooth up to three times a day. This mixture taken daily also strengthens our immune system, protecting the body from harmful bacteria and viral attacks. Honey itself has various vitamins and iron in large amounts.

To summarize this is definitely something to include in your family's medicine cabinet - even though honey and cinnamon reside in the kitchen!

Best Water Exercises For Arthritis in the Knees, Hips and Joints - Nurse's Guide

If you have arthritis, either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you may have been thinking about doing some water exercises for your knees, hips or other arthritic joints. Water exercises, meaning either those used in aqua aerobics or resistance exercises, have been used for years by arthritis sufferers to find pain relief.

Over the years water exercises for arthritis have been fine-tuned so right now the best exercises have been developed by many experts in the field. Exercise physiologists and doctors who specialize in sports medicine, rheumatologists, physical therapists and other health professionals have come up with the best arthritis exercises for use in the water.

Water exercises work very well for people who have arthritis in their knees and hips. People without arthritis greatly benefit too. The floating feeling or buoyancy of the water takes the stress off knees and hips.

If you're doing water exercises on your own it's best do the exercises with the water at chest-height. If you're going to take aqua exercise classes, the instructors may make aerobics a part of your exercise period. Of course aerobic exercise will greatly benefit your heart and may even lower your blood pressure.

Aerobic exercise in the water may consist of exercise that moves the large muscles such as those in your legs. You'll be kept constantly moving to get the heart rate up and sustained for at least 20 minutes or so.

Resistance exercise in the water contributes to building your muscles and strengthens them. Noodles (which are flotation devices) are used to exercise the arms and shoulders. The noodle is held at about the level of the waist while you are under water then you lift it over your head. You will feel resistance. Make sure to start the lift under the water.

You can do these exercises on your own in a public pool, private pool, Jacuzzi or wherever you have access to water. You may want to check with your doctor before starting any new water exercise routine or before you sign up for any water exercise or aqua aerobics classes.

If you're using public pools, try to find pools that use salt water rather than chlorine. Chlorine is very hard on the body and skin. Much is absorbed and the long term effects are not known. Olympic swimmers will not swim in chlorine pools. Many public pools have switched from chlorine to salt water. Call around and see what the pools are using before you get started.

Doing these exercises may help relieve some of your arthritis pain. Many arthritics have reported pain relief after starting a water exercise program. You can find relief too.

And don't forget that diet plays a big part in arthritis and exercise coupled with an arthritis diet or raw food diet will get you on the road to superior pain-free health.

Diet For Gout Patients - Food, Good and Bad, to Include in a Gout Diet Plan

What foods should a diet for Gout patients contain or not contain? If you're reading this article then you are either afflicted with Gout or know someone who is. This disease is agonizing and can be very frustrating. Maybe you have lost sleep as a result of the "fire" of gouty pain in your big toe? Missed special occasions? Taken time off work, and unable to accomplish what you would like to do in your free time? The culprits are those cruel, needle like crystals of uric acid that form in your bodies soft connective tissue and joints. These gremlins can do more damage and give you painful kidney stones if they are allowed free reign. Every diet program for gout should take a look at reducing uric acid levels within your blood, and that means low purine foods.

Purines aren't all bad! They are natural substances found in nearly all foods, and all your body's cells. Purines are a part of the chemical composition of our genes and are components of our genetic material and the genetic material of all plants and animals. The problem is when they are broken down within the body. This leads to uric acid!

So let's have a look at some of the foods to include and exclude in your gout diet.

Food - Good For Gout

There are two foods which have been extensively reported as being really helpful in the battle against Gout. The first is more akin to an additive rather then a food - baking soda. If taken properly this can alleviate symptoms in 2 hrs! The link to the eBook below tells you how to do this. The second really effective food is cherries! Cherries and cherry juice contain anthocyanins which have anti-inflammatory properties. Also cherries can lower the uric acid level. Other berries can also help, mainly because they can neutralize uric acid, or they have anti-inflammatory properties:

• Strawberries


• Blueberries


• Grapes

Food - Bad For Gout

You might not like what I'm going to say next. Too much alcohol is a leading cause of Gout. Gout and alcohol don't go well together! But just how much is excessive? Two drinks a day for males and one drink a day for females. Alcohol, particularly beer interferes with the elimination of uric acid from the body. This is because when alcohol is metabolized, lactic acid is produced which hinders the excretion of uric acid by the kidneys.

These are more commonly eaten foods, very high in purines that need to be avoided completely in a diet plan for those who have Gout:

• Anchovies, Sardines, Mackerel


• Meat extracts, Yeast extracts


• Gravy, Broth


• Sweetbreads

Generally, foods lacking in vitamins A, B5 and E can lead to the development of Gout symptoms.

Now I guess your thinking - he's going to say eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Well actually some fruits and vegetables can worsen the symptoms of Gout, particularly acidic ones. So here they are, any diet designed for Gout ought to keep away from these, but remember these are less important to lowering your intake of high purine foods.

• Cranberries


• Oranges


• Tomatoes

These items really aren't as bad as the heavy weight purine foods like mackerel etc, so cutting out these is of secondary importance.

Don't forget the power of supplements to enhance any diet for gout. Just as cherries have anti-inflammatory properties, so other foods have properties that can reduce uric acid in the blood. There are lots of supplements that can help alleviate symptoms and get gout under control. See the link below for more information.

Arthritis Sufferer's Should Definitely Treat These Foods With Caution

Arthritis is sometimes referred to as the 'cooked food disease'.

A high combined intake of cooked, sweet, processed and fatty food can be  characteristic in the development of arthritis.

Arthritis along with certain other serious diseases are more prevalent in western society.

Research shows that diseases such as arthritis, cancer, heart conditions are far less common in remote or more primitive areas of the world, the reason for this is not hard to see, our industrialised, modern environment is slowly killing us all.

The foods which cause the most confusion amongst nutritionists and arthritis professionals are those referred to as from the 'nightshade family',

The group of foods known as nightshade contain a substance called alkaloid which is known to have an impact on nerve and digestive function in humans and animals.

I personally use less of these foods than I used too and I would advise you to do the same. I found it beneficial to completely remove all nightshade foods to begin with and added them back into my diet slowly and one at a time.

If you add one of these caution foods at a time, it will become far more obvious which if any, are your personal triggers.

Potatoes (especially when green and sprouting),Tomatoes (especially when green), Hot peppers, Sweet peppers, Paprika, Eggplant,  Cayenne, Tobacco.

The amount of alkaloids contained in these foods is minimal, health problems arising from nightshade foods are rare and tend to only occur in individuals who are especially sensitive to these alkaloid substances, highly sensitive people are very likely to include arthritics.

While it is obvious that a healthy and nutritious food intake will indeed help the body repair itself, I also believe that for any arthritic to gain their best chance of reversing or curing their arthritis, they must tackle all elements of the disease at the earliest point.

Having said that diet could be a good place to start.

Permanent Solution To Cure Arthritis

Arthritis is a disorder of the joints. The word "arthritis" is a Greek Words "Arthon" which means joint and "Itis", which means inflammation.

That goes to mean that arthritis is the inflammation of joints which a lot of people will experience in their life time. There are hundred types of joint disorder and they are all related. This means everyone will experience joint pain at some time of their life but you may not know when it will be your turn.

Arthritis is usually characterized by pain, swelling and stiffness which can lead to deformity. Sometimes it can also be called rheumatism which is a term use commonly to describe aches and pains in muscles and joints.

A joint is where two bones meet. There are immobile and mobile joints. Immobile joints are referred to as inflexible and semi-inflexible joint of the body. These joints does not move much as they have no cavity, e.g. head and spinal cord.

Mobile joints are the flexible joints of the body; for example the shoulder, knee, waist, toe, finger, etc. They all have a cavity.

There are different type of Arthritis:

1. Osteoarthritis is the most common type that almost everyone will experience at some point of their lives. This is because it is a degeneration or wearing out of joint due to old age, over-exertion or injury. This type of arthritis affects the mobile joints of the body and can be due to wear and tear, heredity or excessive stress on dislocated joint, not properly healed injured joint and overweight that put extra weight on those hips and knees.

Those who stand for longer hours every day are prone to pain on the knees. And those whose occupation requires lifting heavy objects are prone to waist pain which is usually called lumbago.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is an inflammation of the same joints on the two sides of the body e.g. say you experience a pain in the right knee or shoulder on one side, it will still be showing up at the other side. The pain or symptoms tend to come and go. This is more common between the age of 25 and 55. Infants can also experience this type of arthritis.

This type is usually caused by viruses that live in the body for a long time undetected and never treated. It can be cause by immune-deficiency syndrome, a situation where the anti-bodies that was suppose to fight against foreign agents begin to attack the tissues of the joint which cause inflammation and pain.

Early Signs Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pain and stiffness in one or two joints like the hands and feet and the pain come and go. It is usually worst in the morning and wears off during the day. As this progress, the pain and inflammation becomes more painful and starts to spread to other parts of the body such as the elbows, knees, hips, waist, ankles, shoulders and neck. It can make the person weak, tired, feverish and pale plus the eyes become dry due to a reduction in tears. The mouth also becomes dry due to reduction of salivary fluid and lack of appetite which can be followed by weight loss.

How To Eradicate Arthritis Pain

To treat arthritis and eradicate the pain, the aims are:
1. To strengthen the bones
2. Repair damaged joint tissues e.g. the cartilage
3. Strengthen the immune system against bacteria and viruses
4. Eradicate the pain symptoms

To achieve these aims, diet is very important. Processed or refined food and drinks like sugar, cold foods, biscuits and ice-cream or coffee must be avoided. Smoking and alcohol of all kinds must be avoided.

Take plenty of water upon rising up daily and use fruits for breakfast. Fruits and certain vegetables can help mops off uric acids deposited from the joints and help in the healing process.

Get the right bone supplements that can repair damaged cartilage (the damaging of the cartilage is what results in deformity or folding of body due to arthritis) and strengthen the immune system against bacteria and viruses.

Coffee Causes Arthritis?

There are unfounded statements on the internet today that says, "coffee are bad for arthritis", or worse so, "coffee induces arthritis" or "coffee worsens the prognosis of arthritis" or something else along those lines. So, is a cup of coffee so dreadful for arthritis patients? The answer is NO. When it comes to adverse effects of coffee it is very much a matter of quantity, usually, for an average person, drinking less than 6 cups of coffee per day has no known adverse effects or what so ever, caffeine intoxication or long term side effect due to any other chemical substances in coffee only occur when large quantity of coffee is consumed.

Is there any solid scientific basis to support the fact that coffee isn't the culprit in occurrence of arthritis? The answer is yes, and it lies in the nature of arthritis disease itself. Take for example Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it is obligatory for both predisposing and triggering factors present at the same time for the disease to occur in a person, predisposing factor is in this case, gene that codes for HLA, while the triggering factors are up to date not clearly understood. Triggering factors can be stress, viral infections other co-morbid diseases, certain food and seasons. Coffee, is being accused by many, as one of the triggering factors, a statement mostly agreed by most sufferers of RA. But do patients themselves understand the mechanism of the disease? Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Journal. The research study says that people drinking more that 4 cups of coffee daily are at a higher risk of developing RA, but the research is not a scientific research in a true sense, it is simply a survey conducted on a small number of RA patients. So, is this study result reliable?

Consider another research result and judge by yourself the role of coffee in arthritis development. 19000 coffee drinkers picked up randomly from a general population, observed carefully for 15 years, and at the end of 15 years, none of them show any signs of Arthritis. Researchers that initially back the statement - "5 cups of coffee per day double the risk of RA" later withdraw their support, because they found that most of their patients have other triggering factors such as smoking age and high protein diets.

So in conclusion, we can say that, drinking coffee doesn't necessary lead to Arthritis, but as in any other food and drinks, practice moderation.

Juvenile Arthritis: A Simple Solution Hiding In Plain Sight

The high incidence of juvenile arthritis - also referred to as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis - in technologically advanced countries should not come as a surprise. When you take into account the abnormally high percentage of acid foods and beverages our children consume daily, as they mimic the unhealthy dietary habits of adults and their peers, it is little wonder that they are frequently smitten with what used to be considered a disease of the elderly.

You are probably aware of the symptoms of this disorder and it's a good bet you know a child or two stricken with it. Swelling and tenderness of joints, pain and stiffness, sour stomach and excess flatulence. These are the telltale signs that arthritis may have set up camp in a child's young body. Are we dealing with a rogue bacterial or viral strain that causes juvenile arthritis? Could it instead be the inheritance of a poor genetic structure? Perhaps if we drill a bit deeper we may discover the real cause and what I know to be on point - poor dietary habits since childbirth. This may not be the case for every child under the age of sixteen stricken with juvenile arthritis, but it certainly holds true for the great majority of children who are handicapped with this terrible rheumatic ailment.

The unhealthy physiological condition that allows for the development of juvenile arthritis usually begins to take root back when the mother started feeding carbohydrates and solid food to the child before the first set of teeth came in. This can be anywhere from twelve to twenty-four months. Those cute and sensitive little teeth are nature's seal of approval that the baby is ready to begin eating solid food - carbohydrates in particular.

The current fad of foregoing breast-feeding during this critical period of a child's development and substituting it with incompatible baby formulas, solid food and acidic juices wreaks havoc with a child's intestinal flora - a.k.a. friendly bacteria. Combine this with the child's inability to digest carbohydrates efficiently due to a conspicuous lack of enzymes for that important function, and you have the makings of a fertile and highly acidic breeding ground for arthritis to develop and flourish. When a child starts down a path that will inevitably lead to rheumatic disease states, such as arthritis, the one certain measure that I have seen stop and reverse a child's forward motion is a healthy diet.

Quite a number of health professionals feel strongly that inherited genetic tendencies play a major role in the development of rheumatic disorders. My research and experience reveal that although these inherited genetic tendencies cannot be lightly dismissed, they are nothing more than tendencies that need not see the light of day.

A sensible diet should form the basis of any intelligent protocol engineered to arrest, control and begin the process of reversing and recovering from juvenile arthritis. Such a diet should frequently consist of liquid or powdered whole food-derived vitamin, mineral and protein supplements; chlorella; raw sub-acid fruit; raw salad-type vegetables; steamed vegetables; raw seed and nut milks; raw vegetable juice; fresh raw milk and clabbered or soured milk products, like kefir, yogurt and cottage cheese. Add one whole grain food item and one major serving of protein daily and you will soon notice a marked difference, for the better, in the child's physical health, behavior, emotional life and general wellbeing.

Arthritis and Environmental Triggers - Is a Toxic Environment Increasing Your Pain?

At some time in our life we are all exposed to hidden environmental offenders that can trigger inflammation in our bodies. If you are exposed to an environmental agent such as an allergen, toxin, chemical, infectious agent or drug that causes unpleasant effects, those effects could be seen anywhere in your body as a variety of diseases and could even worsen existing illness. By removing harmful chemicals, food or infectious allergens, major improvement might occur in some long-term illnesses, like arthritis.

Arthritic Triggers in the Chemical World

Joint pains can be brought on by the overuse of joints, hidden infection, intolerance to certain foods and chemicals, as well as inflammatory disease. In inflammatory rheumatic disease, immune complexes are formed within the blood and then become deposited in the joint. These immune complexes are made up of numerous antigens and antibodies, which result from an allergic reaction either due to an infection or exposure to an allergen. The fluid that lubricates the joints becomes filled with these immune cells impacting the lining of the joints, in turn causing inflammation and eventually pain, swelling and tenderness. A number of the more common allergic arthritic triggers in the chemical world include:

artificial sweeteners
hair dyes
food dyes
nail polish
makeup
powders
fragrances
natural gas
chlorine
formaldehyde
paint fumes
products containing phenol
fabric softeners
insecticides
air fresheners
new carpet odors and new-car smells
scented candles
plug-ins
tobacco odors
odours emanating from soaps and shampoos and conditioners, as well as VOC [Volatile Organic Compounds]
smells from moldy, musty environments
sulphites (preservatives in some foods and alcohols)

Research has looked at the connection between inflammatory disorders and environmental exposures and has found that several people have an amazing recovery after removing several foods or avoiding chemicals in their diet. In addition, others improve dramatically by reducing or avoiding chemicals in their environment.

There are times when the body learns to handle toxins, therefore making it difficult to link the symptoms to the causative agent. In this case it is best to avoid the suspected offending substance for a long period so that re-exposure to it causes an immediate reaction from the body. Sometimes, it is only necessary to remove one or two items from your environment to see a remarkable improvement in your symptoms.

Food to Eat for Gout - The Gout Diet

A lot of people who suffer from gout, have been able to reduce their sudden sharp pains with an improvement in their diet. In this article, I will discuss the exact food to eat for gout, and give an explanation as to why certain foods in flame the symptoms of gout, while other foods lower them. Follow the advice given in this article, and you should be able to come up with a diet of food to eat for gout that will be both tasty and effective in giving you much needed relief.

Here's how it works. High concentrations of uric acid build up in the blood stream, and for crystal like formations, which are deposited in the space between your joints. This occurs when there's too much uric acid in your body. Uric acid comes from purine. Foods with too much purine will overrun your body with uric acid. The result -- pain in your joints.

So what food should you put on your go to grocery list that are not high in purine?

First, you need to start with increasing the intake of fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet. Five daily servings of fruits and vegetables are required, at the very least. You can prepare these servings lightly steamed, and soups, juice or eat them raw. In general, vegetables have low sources of purine. The only vegetables you should watch for are potatoes, peas and corn. Why you shouldn't decrease your intake of these, avoid eating them more than twice a week.

Second, filter or spring water intake should be increased as well. These will help filter out the uric acid through your urine.

One of the best foods doctors have found to work almost immediately it reducing the pain of a gout attack is wild or black cherries. This is because they contain a specific substance known for lowering uric acid levels quickly. Not only should you eat them raw, you should juice them freshly and drink one to two glasses a day. Avoid purchasing over-the-counter cherry juice, because the substance which reduces uric acid is usually nonexistent due to poor filtering.

In conclusion, I have given you a list of different kinds of food to eat for gout. Before starting any new diet, you should consult your family physician or doctor. Simply follow this advice, and put more foods on your grocery lists like the ones I've described above. If you follow a diet that's low in purine, you will find the pain associated with your gout will be drastically reduced.

Arthritis - Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal

Two of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

People suffering with osteoarthritis should avoid or cut down on highly refined and processed foods, sugar, salt and saturated animal fats. A healthier diet would be to include wholegrain cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables. By eating a more healthy diet sufferers can boost their immune system and provide them with extra energy they need to fight the disease.

Through scientific research, it has been shown that fish oils are beneficial to people suffering from arthritis. Oily fish such as salmon, mullet, sardines and trout provide the omega-3 fatty acids that can have an anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammation is the natural body's reaction to arthritis resulting in pain, swelling, redness and heat. For people who cannot eat fish, fish oil capsules or liquid taken in the prescribed dose can help in managing the disease.

Seafood provides omega-3 fats which help to regulate the body producing inflammatory chemicals known as eicosanoids. As well as seafood, canola oil, soy oil, flaxseed and walnut also provide omega-3 fats which help to suppress the inflammatory chemicals.

Some studies have found that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have benefited from a vegetarian diet. Celery and ginger contain an anti-inflammatory agent and celery and bananas are a good source of potassium. Green vegetables should be included in the diet as they are a good source of beta carotene, calcium, iron, folate and vitamins.

Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that is effective in breaking down protein. Researchers have been looking into the medicinal properties of bromelain since the mid 1950's. It has been used in treating the inflammatory symptoms of both Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis and it thought to aid in tissue repair.

Healthy eating habits essential for our total wellbeing, but when diseases such as arthritis are evident, what you eat can be extremely important for your immune system, blood circulation, weight control and of course nutrition. The following dietary guidelines may help with choosing foods that assist the body to repair itself.

o Maintain an ideal weight by eating a variety of foods. Include foods from the 4 basic food groups (fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy, breads and cereals) to ensure the intake of the more than forty essential nutrients to maintain good health.

o Include adequate amounts of starch and fiber. Starches such as potatoes, rice, bread, beans and pasta provide the body with energy. Fiber, the undigested portion of the plants we eat, adds bulk and helps with the elimination process.

In some cases of rheumatoid arthritis, it is thought that food intolerance and allergies may contribute to the disease. It can be extremely difficult discovering what, if any, food could be the culprit and an exclusion diet may be the best way to identify the allergy source. For anyone considering following this type of diet, they should first consult their medical professional or qualified dietician.

A number of foods that are believed to exacerbate arthritis or are associated with arthritis "flare ups" are -

o Caffeine

o Red Meat

o Dairy products

o Processed foods

o Sugar

o Salt

o Vegetables of the nightshade group (tomatoes, peppers, etc.)

o Preservatives and additives

o Chocolate

As with many allergy triggers the effects are not always consistent with everyone, what triggers a flare up or allergy on one person may have no affect on another.

o Avoid too much sugar. Sugar provides calories but little nutrition and too much will contribute to excess weight gain.

o Avoid too much sodium. Excess salt can contribute to water retention and also lead to high blood pressure.

o Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can deplete the body of vitamins and minerals besides being high in calories. It also potentially can interact with medications for arthritis and in some cases can be extremely harmful when mixed with prescribed and non prescribed medications.

The overall aim is to reduce the causes of arthritis pain and discomfort by ensuring the foods you eat are right for your condition and are not harming your body further.

Information On Rheumatoid Arthritis, And What To Do With It

Information on rheumatoid arthritis is not particularly useful unless you act on it to try and ease the joint pain and discomfort associated with the condition. In a nutshell, rheumatoid arthritis causes the immune system to launch an attack on certain joints in the body.

Typically, the joints swell, become inflamed and very painful, which in turn can cause loss of mobility. The condition can also affect other parts of the body, such as the heart, the skin, the lungs, the blood vessels and muscles.

The disease is progressive, and as it continues its course, the joints become eroded with the surface gradually being destroyed. This can lead to deformity and considerable loss of mobility. The stiffnes is usually worst in the mornings. But typically, after an hour or so the joint stiffness eases and allows better movement. This is opposite to the effects of osteoarthritis, which usually becomes more painful as the day progresses, due to the continued use of the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis can start at any age, but most common begins in people who are in the 20 to 40 age group. Family history plays a part, so if either of your parents have it, there is a heightened risk of you developing it also. It occurrs more often in women than in men. Smoking also plays a role, as smokers are four times more likely to develop the disease than non-smokers.

Treating rheumatoid arthritis is usually an ongoing requirement. Remission can be achieved through aggressive and persistent treatment. Exercise has been shown to help considerably, as well as a healthy balanced diet. Evidence suggests that a diet high in fish, fruit, vegetables and olive oil, as well as moderate amounts of wine, especially red wine, can help. However, a diet of this kind is likely to help most conditions and should really be enjoyed by everyone.

Anti Gout Diet to Beat Gout Fast

An anti gout diet is crucial if you are a gout victim. Not only will it help relieve the symptoms of gout, but, it can help prevent further gout attacks. This is important because frequent recurring gout can lead to permanent damage to your joints. So not only should you be looking to get gout pain relief, you should be working towards a totally preventative treatment. An anti gout diet is one of the key considerations in such prevention.

An anti gout diet is based around the notion that you should avoid foods with high levels of 'purines' in them. Purines are chemical compounds that appear naturally in our body cells and in much of our foods. After carrying out important work like converting food to energy and genes to proteins they breakdown, at which point uric acid is formed in the bloodstream as a byproduct. When there is an excess of uric acid it can form into needle-like crystals in joints and tendons. This gives you your gout symptoms.

Here is a selection of foods to be avoided as part of your anti gout diet: Red meat, mincemeat, meat extracts, broth, consomme, offal (liver, heart, kidneys, brains, etc.), poultry (particularly turkey), shellfish, some seafood (e.g. herrings, mackerel, sardines, fish roe), baker's & brewer's yeast, yeast extracts, beans, lentils, peas, asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms.

Foods that you can eat as part of your anti gout diet are; cereals, rice, pasta, nuts, seeds, low-fat dairy products, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, vegetables. And drink plenty of water. You need to keep your body properly hydrated. The water helps flush excess uric acid out of your body. 10 - 12 glasses a day is good.

But you need to be careful with an anti gout diet. If you just 'fast' abruptly, you can make your gout worse. And there are even more complications such as your lifestyle, weight, general health, and many other factors in a proper gout remedy that works. So although cutting out gout causing foods is important it's only part of your remedy.

To get to grips with all these factors will take you a lot of time and effort, but will be worth it in the end. Unfortunately, it's beyond the scope of this article.

However, there is a very popular, fully-researched and proven e-report that you can get your hands on in minutes which does all of this for you.

Its easy, step-by-step approach will lead you to a guaranteed, totally natural, home-based remedy that works for thousands of people around the world. And it includes a special 2 hour relief programme for folks suffering acute gout pain right now. If this is you or a loved one then this could be just what you need.

Arthritis Pain Relief - The Diet That Worked For Me

Arthritis sufferers today are continually seeking relief from their arthritis pain. I got rid of my arthritis symptoms and arthritis pain years ago by making a change in my diet and lifestyle.

Arthritis pain is most usually experienced whenever a stiff or swollen joint is used. Arthritis is usually found in the joints of the fingers, feet, knees, hips, and spine. In osteoarthritis, any one or more of the affected joints can experience a progressive loss of cartilage, which is the slippery material that cushions the ends of bones.

The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during muscle movement. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that coats the ends of the bones. Cartilage contains a high percentage of water and decreases with age.

An inflammatory response causes cytokines to gather in injured areas and cause inflammation and damage to body tissue and cells. It's known to play a role in a systemic form of arthritis - rheumatoid arthritis, and other muscle and joint problems associated with autoimmune diseases. Aging cells could be a significant factor in the development of arthritis and specifically osteoarthritis. Although osteoarthritis generally does go along with aging, osteoarthritic cartilage is chemically different from normal aged cartilage.

Natural arthritis treatment is usually a better choice - it's non-invasive and usually anti-inflammatory if living plant foods are consumed. I know quite a few people who are treating and relieving their arthritis pain by drinking tart cherry juice made from a concentrate; make sure it's the tart kind. Some of the foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, refined, packaged and processed food.

Many people have told me that going off of dairy products and foods containing gluten, like wheat, barley and rye especially, relieved them of arthritis pain entirely. An acidic diet, that is any foods that are not alive, is considered to be inflammatory to one's joints. Try avoiding seven of the eight most allergic foods - wheat, which is the most allergenic, corn, eggs, milk, peanuts, fish and shellfish.

If you're not already doing so, make a big effort to change your diet. Watch your diet closely - load-bearing joints are affected by excessive weight; hips, knees, feet and spine.

Many people, including one well-known professional golfer, still wear copper bracelets and swear by them. And a recent study in Great Britain touted the beneficial effects of cod liver oil in osteoarthritis for relieving pain and stiffness, and beginning the reversal of the destruction of joint cartilage within 24 hours.

Stretching and warming up the joints should always be the first step in your exercise routine to make your joints more flexible. But be careful in the morning; you may need an hour or more of moving around first; you can start by moving your limbs around in bed a few minutes before you get out of bed. If you have pain and swelling in your fingers, try squeezing Thera-putty which is made for this purpose, or exercising them with two chime balls. Even the lightest exercise can go a long way to maintaining your joint mobility and overall good health. Fight arthritis through lots of movement and exercise!

The important exercises for arthritis include: range-of-motion exercises, isometrics, and some weight-bearing exercises. For arthritic fingers, a good exercise is to put your finger tips together, press hard and release, then repeat several times. Exercise all your affected joints every day, to keep them fluid and flexible.

Once you become completely informed about arthritis you'll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program that's right for you - natural or conventional or a combination of both. And only you know which arthritis treatments are best for you. Be aware that the use of pain relievers like NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors do not halt the progress of osteoarthritis and may even hasten the onset; additionally the side effects may outweigh any benefits.

But changing my diet totally to a raw diet of plant foods - that is fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds, stopped all my arthritis pain and stopped the damage to my joints to this day. The biggest secret to arthritis pain relief is a change in the diet; eat plant foods that are alive not cooked. Your treatment plan should include an anti-arthritis diet, movement, exercise, and a positive mental attitude. The right diet may stop the progression of your arthritis and stop the pain that goes with it.

How to Get Rid of Gout

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, men and guinea pigs are the only creatures in the world that are afflicted by gout.

Gout is an affliction that is caused by a build-up of crystals of uric acid in the different tissues of the body. Usually, the build-up is lumped in and around the joints and the tendons, as well as the surrounding tissues. It results in inflammation, stiffness and excruciating pain on the affected area. Most often, the joints in the feet and ankles are the main targets; specifically, the small joint of the foot's big toe is the most common spot for gout. Such is the tenderness you get when you contract gout that even the brush of a blanket can cause intense pain that is sometimes unbearable. Aside from the pain, the patient can get a fever as well, if the gout is acute. Usually, these painful attacks go away or subside after a couple of days, medications notwithstanding, although there are rare cases when gout attacks can last for weeks.

Since other arthritic conditions like psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis can mimic the symptoms of gout, it is often advisable to establish a firm diagnosis before treatment. While X-rays can be useful in diagnosing whether or not you have gout, the best and most reliable method is by joint aspiration (also known as arthrocentesis). Using a sterilized needle and syringe, fluid is withdrawn from the affected joint. If the joint fluid contains a deposit of uric acid crystals and infection, then you're suffering from gout. Alternatively, a diagnosis can also be made by finding such crystal deposits from materials extracted via the same method for bursitis (an inflammation of a bursa-a tiny sac filled with fluids that reduce friction between body tissues).

Given a few days, most of gout's unpleasant side effects will usually go away on their own. However, you can do several things that will hasten the elimination of the condition.

Take liberal fluid intakes. Lots of fluids can dilute the urine in your body, as well as help you excrete uric acid. Drinking at least three liters of water a day also helps prevent kidney stone formation. It's not limited to water, either. Vegetable juice, herbal teas, soup and milk all contribute to your daily fluid intake.

Avoid purine-rich foods. Purines are organic compounds that are found in both human tissues as well as in food that you eat. During the body's functions, purine is converted into uric acid which, in excess, contributes to gout. The excess can be caused either by the overproduction of uric acid or the under-elimination of it by your kidneys. Whichever the case, avoiding purine-rich foods can go a long way to getting rid of or avoiding gout altogether.

Since purines are also found in all foods containing protein, it is unhealthy to eliminate purine foods altogether; as mentioned earlier, gout only happens when there is an over-abundance of uric acid in the body. Organ meats (like liver, kidneys, and hearts), sardines in oil, yeast and legumes are purine-rich foods. It is recommended that such foods be taken in moderation. During a flare-up of gout, it is advised that they be taken out of your diet altogether until the condition has passed. If you absolutely can't pass up on something meaty, tofu can be a good substitute.

The American medical Association has proposed a good balanced diet for people suffering from gout. It includes the following recommendations:

* Eat foods that are high in carbohydrates. Examples of these include fruits, whole grains, and vegetables.

* Eat foods that are low in protein.

* No more than 30% of calories should come from fats.

Avoid or decrease the consumption of alcohol. A study printed in the scientific journal "The Lancet" has shown that the consumption of alcohol leads to an increased risk of getting gout. Also, studies have also hinted that the type of alcohol consumed also makes a difference. For example, beer seems to score more bad points than wine.

According to the scientist's findings, alcohol affects both uric acid production and removal. When the body converts the alcohol to lactic acid, the amount of uric acid that is removed from the kidneys is reduced. There is a competition between the lactic acid and uric acid as to which is going to be removed by the kidneys into the urine. An increase in ethanol in the body also increases the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that the body produces. These ATPs are converted to adenosine monophosphate (AMP) - uric acid's precursor.

Based on the findings of the scientists, there is a significant increase in gout risk even with low alcohol intake. For people who consume about 50g or more of alcohol per day, the risk jumped to 2.5 times higher than for those who do not drink.

Eat bing-cherries. According to a study done by the US Agricultural Research Service's researchers in Davis, California, fresh cherries have anti-inflammatory properties that are useful for gout-stricken patients. The findings show that the volunteers' uric acid levels decreased significantly over the five hours after consuming 45 bing-cherries. Urate levels removed from their bodies also increased. The findings were published in the Journal of Nutrition, 2003 issue.

Take medications for gout. Three kinds of medication are usually used to treat gout. One is used for managing the pain, the second kind is used to quell the inflammation and the third is used to treat the underlying condition that causes the overproduction of uric acid and gout. There are different medicines for each of the three kinds.

Pain relievers such as Tylenol are used to alleviate your pain caused by gout. Inflammation is controlled by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as colchicine and corticosteroids. For more acute gout, indomethacin and naproxen are good choices.

It should be noted, though, that NSAIDs can also have side-effects like gastrointestinal irritation and intestinal bleedings. People who have a history of aspirin allergies should also avoid NSAIDs due to possible anaphylactic (or intense allergy) reactions. Furthermore, colchinine blocks the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12. For this, vitamin B12 supplements should be taken.

Finally, medications that lower the uric acid blood levels are used to treat underlying gout conditions. The most common of these medicines are probenecid and sulfinpyrazone. However, these drugs should be avoided by people who have a history of kidney stone problems, since these drugs have been known to cause them, in rare instances.

Gout is not life-threatening, but it can be very painful and annoying to have. Following the steps mentioned above should help alleviate or get rid of the condition. As always, consulting a physician is recommended before you start on any treatment. Also, the next time you see a guinea pig, smile. It's always good to know you're not the only species in this world suffering from the condition.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Depending on the stage of the disease, treatment of rheumatoid arthritis varies but initial treatment is usually aimed at reducing inflammation while minimizing the side effects of such treatment. The presence of other disorders, particularly liver or kidney complaints, also affects the type of treatment. In some cases, treatment may involve surgery.

Increased nutrient intake

People with active rheumatoid arthritis may have a poor dietary intake due to loss of appetite. At the same time, some of the medications that treat rheumatoid arthritis, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, may increase the requirement for certain nutrients and reduce their absorption.

Like osteoarthritis, weight loss is recommended for overweight and obese people to reduce the stress on inflamed joints. Nutritional guidelines, therefore, focus on eating a varied diet that provides essential nutrients while helping control weight.

• Sufficient intake of vitamin E is important for the health of your joints; vitamin E-rich foods include oils, fish, nuts, and seeds.


• You should also choose foods that provide an adequate intake of B vitamins, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.


• Include adequate amounts of antioxidants in your diet.

Maintaining bone density

Rheumatoid arthritis causes bone loss, which can also lead to osteoporosis. Bone loss is more likely with an increasing level of disability, resulting from rheumatoid arthritis and the decreasing level of weight-bearing activity. The use of steroid drugs further accelerates bone loss, particularly in postmenopausal women.

Bone loss can be countered by making sure you consume adequate amounts of calcium (1,000 - 1,500mg per day) and vitamin D (0.01 - 0.02mg per day), either in the diet or by taking supplements.

Exercise and mobility

Pain and stiffness often cause people with rheumatoid arthritis to stop using their inflamed joints. However, such decrease of activity can lead to loss of joint motion and loss of muscle strength, which leads to decreased joint stability and increased fatigue. Exercise can help prevent and reverse these effects, but exercise programs should be designed by a physical therapist and tailored to the severity for your condition, the former activity level, and your body build.

Sardines are good for rheumatoid arthritis

Containing high levels of calcium, iron, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, sardines on toast makes an easy and nutrition snack.

Omega-3 fatty acids and rheumatoid arthritis

Studies have shown that people with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with fish-oil supplements for between 3 and 4 months had a reduction in the number of affected joints.

It is thought that omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in oily fish and in some plant oils, might reduce inflammation and help alleviate the troublesome symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by recuing the number of inflammatory "messenger molecules" made by the body's immune system.

High doses of omega-3 fatty acids should be taken under the supervision of a doctor to prevent side effects or interactions with medications that you may be using to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Eating oily fish, such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel, at least twice a week should be an integral part of your diet if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

Can diet cure arthritis?

Theories abound that eliminating certain foods, such as tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, taking specific supplements, or adding honey, vinegar, or hers to the diet will alleviate arthritis. However, with the exception of gout, which may benefit from a change of diet, there is no scientific evidence that diet can cure joint disorders.

Tests have shown that diets low in saturated fats, or that include certain omega-3 fatty acids, seem to have a mild anti-inflammatory effect, but there is insufficient evidence that these are useful I the treatment of arthritis. (You should note that cod liver oil is not a source of these oils and should not be taken in large quantities).

Neither is there any evidence that fasting and "cleansing" diets, which are sometimes promoted as methods of treating arthritis, have any long-term benefits. On the contrary, these may lead to malnutrition and health problems.

Glucosamine supplements

There is a certain amount of evidence that glucosamine, in a dose of 1,500mg per day, may help relieve the pain of osteoarthritis, and studies are now underway to try to determine whether this supplement helps preserve or regenerate damaged cartilage. Since glucosamine may affect the action of insulin in the body and may cause digestive upsets and allergic reactions, it should be taken only under medical supervision and avoided entirely if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. The usefulness of other supplements, such as S-adenosylmethionine, chondroitin sulfate, copper, and zinc is uncertain.

Tips for arthritis

If you suspect that a certain food is aggravating your arthritis, try keeping a food diary for a month, writing down everything that you eat and drink, and then see your doctor for advice. If you eliminate a food, be sure to find an alternative source for the nutrients that this food supplies. The best advice is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet, choosing foods low in sugar and fat and including a variety of food from the five major food groups every day. Other general dietary tips for people with arthritis include:

• Avoid crash dieting or fasting.


• Increase dietary calcium intake.


• Drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids.


• Keep within a normal weight range.


• If you do drink alcohol, make sure you do so in moderation.

Cottage cheese on crispbread Maintaining calcium levels is critical for arthritis sufferers, but it is important to choose low-fat dairy products to help control weight.

Lupus, An Autoimmune Disease With Arthritic Symptoms

Lupus, an autoimmune disease strikes about one in two thousand people. Women are eight to ten times more likely to have lupus than men. Many of its symptoms mimic other diseases so it usually takes more than a year to make a definite diagnosis. Most often women from age twenty to forty are diagnosed with the disease although it can occur in either gender and after age fifty it is equally common to both men and women.

The person with lupus may look perfectly normal to family and friends or even Doctors. The disease can cause nausea, weight loss, and muscle weakness, as well as chronic inflammation in many different parts of the body, including the skin, muscles, and the joints, lymph nodes, and spleen.

The majority of people with lupus usually live full and normal lives. Although lupus is not a true form of arthritis; it is a connective-tissue disease and is classified as a rheumatic disease as the symptoms usually include swelling and joint pain.

Some people with lupus do develop symptoms of arthritis though only a few will suffer the deformities associated with more severe forms of that disease.

To date, there are no known cures for the disease. The causes of lupus are still a mystery; although it is thought that there could be an inherited predisposition to the disease. Some external trigger, perhaps a virus, could be responsible for starting the disease process in genetically predisposed people. Environmental factors, such as an injury, or an infection could contribute to the disease.

The biggest problem comes when trying to diagnose the disease. No two people present the same symptoms. The symptoms can include weight and hair loss, sores in the mouth, and some will get throat and facial swelling.

If the patient has a history of rheumatoid arthritis in their immediate family or a history of some other autoimmune disease, that could be a clue to determining if lupus is actually present. Joint inflammation for instance, would suggest arthritis; but if the inflammation is accompanied with a rash on the body consistent with lupus, the diagnosis is clearer. If there is inflammation around the lungs and the heart, that could be a further clue that lupus could be present.

The range of joints affected in lupus is almost the same ones that are affected in rheumatoid arthritis. While any joint in the body can be affected; it is usually the wrists, the large knuckles at the base of the fingers, and the middle finger joints. Knees fall victim to lupus more often than the hips. As a general rule, lupus patients seldom suffer any joint deformity.

Your diet, exercise and the proper amount of rest all play a significant role in the management of the disease. If you tire easily when going about your daily tasks; stop, take a break and don't overdo it. If you get over tired, that could cause a flare-up. Try to keep your stress levels at a minimum.

Exercise is important to maintain overall body health. It not only gives you more joint flexibility, makes you feel good, look better and live longer.

Last, but not least, your diet is very important, as it is with any arthritic condition. Best thing to do is consult with your Doctor and let him recommend a diet suitable for you.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment - Non-Dairy Sources of Probiotics Supplements

Rheumatoid Arthritis is not inevitable, no matter the particulars of your family history or genetics. Some people have genetics that make them more susceptible, but something must still trigger the disease process. Likewise, it is usually possible, even after the rheumatoid arthritis has been triggered, to "untrigger" it by reversing its underlying causes.

One underlying causes of rheumatoid arthritis is a disruption of healthy gut bacteria. This can happen because of any number of stressors: taking antibiotics, losing a job, losing a loved one, having a loved one seriously ill or injured, divorce, your home going into foreclosure, surgery, taking a board exam, traveling in a third world country, getting some other illness, working long hours without enough rest and more. Even joyful events like the birth or a child, a job promotion or, moving to a new house can cause stress that can trigger RA.

This is because for most people stress has a strong impact on the gut. Once gut flora gets out of balance it can stay that way for years and years, until something helps it to rebalance itself.

This rebalancing of gut flora is one way to help "untrigger" rheumatoid arthritis.

One way to do this is by reintroducing healthy bacteria everyday through your diet.

Most people know about the benefits of eating live culture yogurt because of the healthy bacteria it contains. Most people don't realize the almost infinite number of other sources of probiotics. Many can be made in your own kitchen without much effort and easily incorporated into your everyday diet.

If you can eat dairy, it is easy to get probiotics through yogurt, kefir, and the many commercial probiotics supplements grown on a dairy base.

If you can't eat dairy, you may not realize how easy it is to still get enough probiotics.

Here is partial list of the many non-dairy probiotics-containing foods you can eat and drink:

1. Commercially available cultured coconut milk


2. Homemade cultured coconut milk, soymilk, rice milk or fruit juice made using kefir grains


3. Unpasteurized sauerkraut


4. Unpasteurized kim chee


5. Sour pickles


6. Other vegetable ferments, such as sour beets, sour turnips, fermented radishes, etc.


7. "Potato cheese" - cooked potato fermented with brine from live sauerkraut culture


8. Brine from ferments used as a digestive tonic and Soup Stock


9. Fermented chutney


10. Miso


11. Miso Pickles


12. Tempeh-soy


13. Ferments made from other beans such as pinto beans, kidney beans, navy beans, etc.


14. Rejuvenac-made from sprouted grain


15. Kombucha-a tea fermented with a special kombucha culture


16. Porridge-fermented overnight before cooking to increase digestibility

These probiotics-containing foods start with either an already established culture which you can buy or someone can gift you (yogurt, kefir, miso, tempeh and other bean ferments and kombutcha) or capture wild bacteria from the air (sauerkraut, kim chee, sour pickles, other vegetable ferments, brines, rejuvenac and porridge.)

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Massages and Hydrotherapy For Pain Relief

Massages are known worldwide known for their multiple benefits. Depending on the receiver's need, massages can enhance muscle performance or relieve the deep tension that occurs mainly because of the stress. Recommended by doctors, massages have a strong therapeutic power and are integrated in the recovering process of many patients whether they suffer from osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis or need relief from an accident's post trauma.

The Swedish massage is being used worldwide where the patient receives because of the strokes used in it joint and tension relief. Having involved a rather gentle style with rubbing, tapping and kneading of the muscles, the Swedish massage is ideal for minimizing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and because of that it is often prescribed in the rheumatoid arthritis treatments.

The deep tissue massage is a variation of the Swedish massage in which is more pressure applied to the tissues so that the massage effect will be felt on the deeper layer of muscles as well. Involving the use of fingertips and sometimes the elbows, the result of the deep tissue massage is stress relief and deep relaxation. However, more gentle massages like craniosacral therapy will also have as result the desired profound relief.

Hydrotherapy is an alternative for exercise therapy that can be painful for people that suffer from arthritis or osteoporosis and can not benefit from relieving pain and improving mobility because mobility causes pain to people having this autoimmune disease. Hydrotherapy offers the benefits of improving the body functions without putting stress on the joints or other body parts that are in pain because of the disease. Being especially useful for treating joint pain and stiffness, the common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, hydrotherapy is a great way for patients to learn what exercises are helpful for their disease. The major benefit of the hydrotherapy is that patients do the exercises in warm water where the gravitational forces on the body are reduced and the joint mobility is considerably increased; also because of the water jets, the blood flow is increased as well improving the effective mobility in the entire body.

For people with osteoarthritis, hydrotherapy has been proved to be effective as well by improving the physical function and general health in the knees of the patients. Also, the benefit of having physical exercises impact free and with easier joint movement is a huge plus for people with osteoarthritis.

Combined with a healthy rheumatoid arthritis diet or a nourishing osteoarthritis diet, massages and therapies, especially hydrotherapy will help the suffering people of this disease make progress in recovering and get rid of the arthritis joint pain or knee pain and lack of strength. And for less pain in the joints, don't forget adding Omega 3 in your daily meals that will surely minimize your pain and joints inflammation!

Exomine RH is an All Natural Formula to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Living with rheumatoid arthritis is at the very least a daily challenge. Chronic pain and lack of movement are second nature. With daily/nightly pain also comes depression and possible emotional outbursts. You certainly feel that you have little control over your life. Also, little things that are so important every day like buttoning your shirt or opening the door become painful hurdles, making life particularly hard.

Exomine RH is a natural supplement that has been developed at Progressive Health with the help of numerous physicians specifically for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. In fact each of the 15 ingredients of Exomine RH has been backed by science. These include vitamins and minerals (vitamins B5,C,E, Selenium, copper, zinc and MSN) as well as botanicals and natural oils (boswellia, cat's claw, turmeric, omega 3, gamma linolic acid). There are three key ingredients that make Exomine RH stand out:
Hylaronic Acid - this acid is found in our joints and is used as lubrication, just like oil in an engine. The older you get, the less hylaronic acid is produced so our joints get stiffer.

Chondroitin Sulfate - this is a main component of cartilage and helps stimulate the production of healthy new cartilage, blocking enzymes that break down cartilage and normalize joint fluids so that friction is reduced.

BioCell Collagen Type II is a protein at gives cartilage structural strength. This reduces joint swelling and tenderness.

Why choose Exomine RH?
There are a number of benefits you will get from taking this supplement. You will finally get relief from the constant pain and discomfort that is caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Also, this supplement promotes the reproduction of healthy cartilage, which is vital to your recovery process. Once your tissue has begun to deteriorate the pain can become immense, and doing small everyday tasks can become much more difficult. Regenerating this tissue will put an end to a lot of the pain and allow your bones to once again glide across each other without conflict.

A new life could be waiting for you
Imagine being able to check the mail, clean the house, or play outside with your children and grandchildren without the hindrances associated with this rheumatoid arthritis. This dream doesn't have to live in your imagination. You can make this come true with Exomine RH. With this supplement you can retake control over your life, and resume the life you had before any of the pain. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for you. Since there is no cure you are only left with options of treatment, and there is no other treatment like Exomine RH. It's natural, it's safe, and it works.

Stop the Pain and Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis II

Once you are diagnosed with R.A., what are the next steps. My wife followed the recommendations of her doctor and started taking two medications. The first was a steroid, prednisone. Reading the possible side effects of this and her other medication was enough to scare you to death. Everyone has read about the horrors of steroids, but when you are hurting as badly as she was hurting you are willing to try anything. The second medication was methotrexate. It was initially developed to treat cancer, but now is one of the gold standards for rheumatoid arthritis. There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Some patients go into remission when the damage to joints stops and the pain goes away using traditional medical therapy. It is interesting that trauma may cause a relapse of the disease. Another patient in the waiting room with my wife shared that her symptoms reappeared after she caught her hand in a recliner resulting in a broken finger. But many people have gastrointestinal trouble taking the drug. It can also be given as shots. Taken orally, most patients take the entire dosage once a week, usually on Saturday, when stomach trouble will not interfere with work. Many patients have to go to stronger, more expensive drugs as the disease progresses. In fact, one of the first things my wife's doctor told her was she would not be able to afford the treatment since we didn't have medical insurance and he would not accept Medicare or Medicaid. He said the usual progression of treatments would run from forty-five to sixty thousand dollars a year, but he might be able to get her on a trial program. This was even a bigger incentive for us to find a better solution.

I might add that some, including the author you are about to discover, says that taking these drugs can slow up the recovery using the diets described. She specifically mentioned the two drugs my wife started taking. I specifically asked her doctor if we could try the diet first. He wanted to start her on the drugs immediately to give her relief from the pain. We decided to work with Nell's doctor and take the medications. As I have said several times, I am telling our story and what we have done. I encourage you to do what you feel is best for you. Most traditional doctors will want you to take the drugs. You might want to try the fasting for five to six days and see if it offers some relief, and then make your decision, maybe before seeing the doctor. But don't put off getting a correct diagnosis too long.

Magic Pain Reliever For RA Joint Pain

So that joint pain is back in action again and you have run out of choices on what to do. But fellow rheumatoid arthritis sufferers seem to trust calendula oil to do miracles. So what would you do?

Calendula is an ordinary plant that grows in any soil. However, it is widely found in Europe, USA and in Western parts of Asia. Known from its botanical name Calendula Officinalis, the plant belongs to the same family of daisies and ragweed.

As per its medicinal value, the yellow-gold petals of calendula are known to perform miracles. If you haven't heard about Calendula, you would have probably heard of Garden marigold, pot marigold or poet's marigold. All these names are used to refer to the same plant.

Rheumatoid arthritis and Calendula goes hand in hand because it acts as a perfect companion that relieves joint pain. Known from the early Persian and Greek societies, marigold carries an impeccable reputation for relieving swellings and pains. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory nature and anti septic qualities, it is also used for healing wounds.

Although Calendula does not provide any cure or long term relief for rheumatoid arthritis, many people who use calendula infusions believe that it has magical properties to relieve joint pain. On a scientific level, using marigold as herb activates carotenes, polyphenols and phytosterols together with EFAs that act as a penetration formula that could drastically improve the blood and oxygen flow in the affected areas of your body.

Although there are many novel means and methods of pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis joint pain, natural remedies based on topical ointments are known to be best for they carry little or no side effects. Another plus side of herbal remedies is that they usually provide a galore of healthy remedies as opposed to western medicine which tries to eliminate a single symptom.

Furthermore, marigold can be used if you suffer from other painful conditions such as gastritis, burns or eczema. It is also used as a home remedy in some parts of the world to treat minor issues such as headaches, toothaches, ulcers, varicose veins and colitis.

Marigold may be one in thousand natural products that work well for joint pain relief. So read up on the subject, as much as you can, before making a decision on using it. You should also beware of allergies that can be caused by natural products.

While you search for products that include the essence of Calendula goodness, be cautious about so called herbal remedies that promise you a world full of relief. As you know through experience, joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis is not something that will easily go away or ameliorate. Therefore, don't let fake products and false promises put your hopes up only to leave you disappointed at the end. Speak to someone who has already experienced the magic of marigold before opting in for any products that claim to contain its goodness. First hand information always speaks much more genuinely than sales pages you find online.

4 Tips for How to Cure Sciatica at Home With an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Increased consumption of processed foods has led directly to an increase in pain and discomfort related to inflammation in the body, including sciatica. Sciatica occurs when inflammation puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing pain in the lower back and down one or both legs. Foods rich non-inflammatory qualities are one answer for how to cure sciatica at home.

Inflammation is the body's natural reaction to injury or infection. It can be beneficial when the systems of the body are working to repair themselves. However, modern diets have led to an abundance of inflammation without a purpose, which poses a variety of problems.

Many people use NSAIDs, or anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain from inflammation. However, most do not consider the risks of NSAID overuse. The most common issue that arises from using anti-inflammatory drugs is gastrointestinal pain. In serious cases, long-term NSAID users experience fatal ulcers and other life-threatening ailments. An anti-inflammatory diet is an alternative to medication.

4 Tips for How to Cure Sciatica at Home with an Anti-inflammatory Diet:

1. Eat anti-inflammatory foods. Kelp, Wild Alaskan Salmon, Turmeric, Shitake Mushrooms, Papaya, Blueberries, Broccoli, and Sweet Potatoes are some popular anti-inflammatory foods. Not only will these foods help reduce swelling, thereby, decreasing pain, they will also provide balanced nutrition and taste great!

2. Drink anti-inflammatory drinks. Drinking plenty of water and green tea will reduce swelling, redness, and discomfort associated with inflammation. Adults should drink 8 glasses of water per day. Water will have the added benefits of reducing appetite and clearing skin. In addition to reducing inflammation, green tea has also been shown to decrease the risks of cancer and heart disease.

3. Cook with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. EVOO is the Mediterranean secret to good health. The abundant supply of polyphenols is vital in reducing inflammation in the heart and blood vessels. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil are used by the body as anti-inflammatory agents, decreasing asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

4. Supplement fish oils. If you are not eating 2 portions of oily fish per week, use fish oil supplements to decrease inflammation. You are looking for 2-3 grams a day of EPA and DHA. Ginger and turmeric supplements are also very beneficial to your health.

If you have been experiencing chronic pain, try an anti-inflammatory diet before use of risky medications or invasive surgeries. If you have been looking for an answer for how to cure sciatica at home, start with sensible food choices. Additionally, you should try increasing the amount of exercise you are doing regularly. Walking and stretching are ideal ways to relieve pain.

Liberate Yourself From Pain With Arthritis Injection

Arthritis injection is considered to be a ground-breaking means to combat the symptoms of arthritis. The more commonly used means for treatment have included NSAIDs, steroids, and a selection of anti-rheumatic drugs. In most cases, these medications are taken orally or used in combination with other treatments. A few conventional treatments today also include surgery and the use of knee braces, especially for severe knee arthritis. With the recurring effects of this autoimmune disorder however, scientists are still on the lookout for the best treatments.

Steriod Injections for Arthritis Patients

Steroid injections for arthritis are typically used by doctors in order to relieve arthritis-related pain and discomfort. Doctors inject steroids directly into the problem areas, prompting the delivery of medication right where it is needed.

Although steroids may also be taken intravenously and orally, injections are able to reach painful areas more efficiently. These steroids may be injected into the knee, hip, wrist, hand, or shoulders. Injections are known to be effective for gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and a few other inflammatory conditions. Physicians would normally take into account your age and other medications you are using, before prescribing any steroidal medication.

This type of arthritis injection however could produce some ill-effects, depending on the sensitivity of the patient. Side effects are also more common in cases when the doses of steroidal medications are increased. Examples of side effects are infections, local bleeding, skin discoloration, and allergic reactions. These can be preventable however, especially when the injections are taken infrequently. If you choose to have the steroid injections for an interval of 4 months, side effects are less likely to happen.

Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Arthritis of the Knee

Those who are suffering from knee arthritis can expect to obtain relief from Hyaluronic acid injection. Hyaluronic acid is normally found in the human tissue, helping the body in flexibility and moisture retention. This acid is often described to be slimy and oily in texture. Although a well-known component for anti-aging skin products, Hyaluronic acid is also effective in arthritis management. Millions of Americans are dealing with arthritis presently, especially those on faulty diets and sedentary lifestyles.

Hyaluronic acid has been known to provide effective relief with only a few side-effects, or none at all. For many years, these injections have already been done on cases of knee arthritis. Hyaluronan injections for ankle arthritis are already widely practiced in Europe. In the U.S. however, the Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve the use of this component for ankle arthritis.

Development of Arthritis injection for Ankle Arthritis

According to pharmaceutical firm Carticept Medical Inc, injectables for ankle arthritis will be made available commercially the U.S. by 2010. Since Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance occurring in the body, it is useful in pain prevention and the absorption of shock as well. Since arthritis is known to attack the smaller joints, having injections ideal for ankles and thumbs will be valuable.

It is estimated that by 2010, the U.S. FDA will finally approve this injectable substance for arthritis of the ankles. This product will also treat arthritis in the hands or thumbs, toes, and other smaller joints. Unlike pain killers and steroids, an arthritis injection is expected to deliver pain relief without the adverse effects. This makes it ideal for more arthritic patients.

Hand Surgery - A Perfect Way to Fix Rheumatoid Arthritis

Many people choose to get hand surgery to address their rheumatoid arthritis. If you want your hands to feel better then you may want to consider fixing your pain by undergoing this procedure.

If you hand hurts in any way, then you may want to fix your condition by getting hand surgery. This can fix disease that impair the use of our hand and can help increase the usage of your wrist and fingers. Many people choose to get it done if they rheumatoid arthritis which is a disease that causes inflammation in any of the joints of the body. It can lead to deformed finger and decrease movement.

This method can be performed on people of any age. You should be in fairly good health and not have any other medical conditions or diseases which can affect the healing process. In addition, you should be a non smoker and reduce your drinking. You should have a positive view on the hand surgery and the results that can be obtained. This means that although you may get added usage of your hand, it may not be restored to the same level as before the rheumatoid arthritis.

The success of this can be due in part to how honest you are with your doctor before the procedure. The doctor will ask you many questions about your health and desired outcome so make sure you answer them candidly. Make sure you divulge all of the medications that you are taking. Finally, you should follow the advice of the doctor before during and after the procedure. The doctor will also evaluate your general health and make sure you are strong enough to get the procedure.

On the day when you are getting this operation done, the doctor will administer sedation and general anesthesia. The doctor will cut the affected tendon and repair and reconnect it during surgery. The doctor will then close the incisions and will use removable or non removable sutures.

There will be some swelling but this should go down with time. You should have limited complications however if you experienced an increase heart rate or shortness of breath, you should go to the doctor. You will not see the full results until a few months after the procedure.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis and want to get hand surgery, make sure you find a doctor who can find a doctor who you can trust. Your hands may feel better and you may get added usage after the operation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Relief and Cure

Living with the pain is the most difficult thing to accept among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but this is not necessarily true for those people who seek ways for pain relief.

There are traditional and natural treatments as rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. Short-term relievers are drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone-type medications. The use of drugs in the long-term medication has shown negative results among patients as certain complications developed over time.

Examples of these complications are the development of osteoporosis and gastrointestinal problems in the long-term use of aspirin. Side effects such as headaches, vomiting, nausea and gas problems are also among its known negative effects. Cortisone, usually given through injections are harmful in the long run because it promotes dependency as one of its side-effects.

Taking control of the situation is the first step towards rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. It should start with knowing what type of arthritis it is, its causes, symptoms and how to treat it. Get to know the medical terms that are used to refer to the condition and the other terminologies associated with it.

There have been books which are available in the market written by those who have suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and who found ways on how to eliminate the pain. A detailed outline about the condition and its causes are well explained in the books. These people have found the effective treatments by studying and experimenting on the different methods that help cure arthritis.

Natural rheumatoid arthritis pain relief includes losing weight, proper diet, fish oil, exercise and the use of natural food supplements. Alternative pain relief treatments are hot and cold treatments, positive thinking, relaxation techniques, massage, electrical stimulation, topical lotions and lastly, a good sense of humor.

Heat applications are useful for chronic pain suffered by those with rheumatoid arthritis. There are a lot warming techniques you can experiment on. Sometimes, the use of cognitive behavioral therapy is called for in cases where the physical pain has greatly altered the lifestyle of the patient by affecting his or her emotional and psychological health.

Food supplements are known to be the most effective pain relievers because they actually work on the main cause of the pain to relieve the symptoms such as swelling, redness and pain. Chemicals known to draw fluid to the cartilage to enable the mobility of joints are present in these food supplements such as chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate. One food supplement is available in the market that combines these chemicals to better repair the affected joints.

Risks of Arthritis

Arthritis, in meticulous is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), has shocking results on the human body, reasoning a lot of devastating effects as well as leaving lots of patients motionless or not able to task normally. Nevertheless, there are moreover several additional things linked with the sickness which are less famous, but as hostile. A quantity of studies accessible at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology present new information on the hazards of cardiovascular illness for RA patients, in addition to a quantity of the dangers connected with the new treatments in the region, which are just opening to come into view.

Indications of rheumatoid arthritis are characteristically most horrible in the dawn with steady reduction of symptoms all the way throughout the day. This persistent deterioration of symptoms in the dawn, particularly of rigidity in the joints, is significant analytical clue in differentiating supplementary forms of arthritis, for instance osteoarthritis as well as gouty arthritis.

Amplified heart attack risks in arthritis patients regardless of alteration in diseases supervision As accepted by the investigators, people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) contain a reduced lifespan when weighed against to citizens with identical gender as well as similar age; furthermore current studies imply that this is mainly because of amplified humanity from early cardiovascular disease, in fastidious myocardial infarction. As the medical pasture has achieved an improved understanding of arthritis, the organization of it has altered considerably in terms of medical behavior as well as treatment.

This study furthermore highlights the want for more data on whether newer management selection, for example TNF inhibitors that were launched in Europe at the opening of the millennium as well as a result did not have a noteworthy part in this reading, will encompass an outcome on cardiovascular measures for arthritis patients in the prospect.

Bigger risk of severe diseases with TNF INHIBITOR TREATMENT

As accepted by the investigators of the reading, it is before now well known that TNF inhibitor enhances the threat for intracellular illness for example TB. The risk for to a large extent more common, so far still severe, infections remains not as much of clear. Studies from medical practice have revealed diverse results, as well as taken collectively; clinical test indicates the chance for a risk boost of medical implication.

So to stay away from the risks of arthritis one should take proper precautions and monthly checkups from a doctor and you should always remember that "precaution is better than cure".

Knee Strengthening Exercises Can Help You Combat Joint Inflammation, Pain, And Stiffness

If you suffer with joint pain, say in your knees for example, you are one of millions of others around the world who go through the same thing every single day. Arthritis affects more than seventy million people in the United States alone.

Contrary to popular belief arthritis is not just the bane of the elderly.

What causes this problem?

For many people a lack of exercise is one of the main reasons why their bones and joints are painful and stiff. Our skeletal system needs to be exercised. If exercise is neglected problems are going to arise, and not only with regards to our bones.

When the joints are sore and swollen immobility naturally occurs. We want to protect the affected area, afraid to do anything that might cause the pain and swelling to intensify. However, immobility is probably one of the reasons why the problem has occurred in the first place.

Another primary cause is a diet that is not nutritionally sound. When the diet is lacking the body will suffer in a multitude of ways. In order to function properly the human body has nutritional requirements that need to be met. When these are neglected issues arise. It really comes down to cause and effect.

What can be done?

First of all you need to know that you do not have to resign yourself to the idea of a life of joint pain. There are things you can do to alleviate the problem. For instance, if you suffer with knee pain you need to do knee exercises. Certain knee exercises will greatly help to reduce swelling and pain and increase mobility. And the good news is that it is never too late to start.

Nutritional Supplements

Nutritional supplements, such as those that contain New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel Powder are known to greatly benefit those suffering with joint pain. The green lipped mussel is a complete food that reduces inflammation in the joints. Coupled with vitamins, minerals, and other essential ingredients, these supplements can go a long way in helping you enjoy a more active and healthier life.

Why choose a natural supplement?

You might wonder why you should choose a natural supplement over a conventional medicinal one. While certain prescription drugs are very beneficial, natural remedies are safe and can be used in conjunction with other medications. They will not produce a range of unpleasant side effects. Also, unlike conventional medications, they will not cause complications in other areas of the body.

"Choose supplements and knee strengthening exercises to help you live a life free of joint pain and inflammation".

Can Eating More Protein Foods Reduce Pain?

Consider the fact that the human body needs protein to build muscle and repair cells. Bodybuilders and weightlifters have long known that to build super-sized muscles and above-average strength they need to consume much more protein than athletes who required less cell-rebuilding such as distance runners who rely more on complex carbohydrates and starches in their diets.

One of the ways to relieve pain from injury and to reduce inflammation and provide relief for joint pain is to nourish the body with what it needs. Consuming a diet for arthritis may be a matter of avoiding foods that are inflammatory to joints and organs such as high fructose corn syrup and other sugars known to contribute to the build-up of plaque in arteries. Increasing cholesterol levels by consuming more fish (and drinking a little wine every day) increases good cholesterol levels and decreases bad cholesterol levels which contribute to artery plaque build-up.

Nature has a balance in that quality foods such as beans, which contain proteins and carbohydrates in just the right amounts, make them an ideal food for athletes and non-athletes. But if you crave nuts, your body may be in an iron imbalance and the iron in nuts and legumes may be just the answer. Your body's aches and pains may also be a sign of a protein deficiency, and nuts, high in proteins can help satisfy the body's needs for these vital nutrients.

It makes sense, then, that if a body is to recover from stress, such as a physical effort that athletes routinely put their bodies through, or mental stress, such as a home worker juggling housework, children, and other responsibilities, the body may need additional nutrients in the form of better proteins and in higher quantities than the learned or patterned diet up to this point, actually has.

It may be time to rethink the meal plans and shop smarter for better quality foods and plan more nutritious meals. Add these to your diet and see if you don't feel better in days and weeks.

Nuts and Seeds
Nuts, such as peanuts, cashews, almonds, and walnuts, all contain protein, as well as seeds such as sunflower and sesame. Besides protein, nuts are also an excellent source of zinc, iron, fiber, vitamin E, antioxidants, and Omega-3s.

Almonds, walnuts, cashews, and many other nuts are high in oleic acid, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, and other healthy phytochemicals. Because some nuts are high in fat, be sure to eat them in moderation.

Beans
Legumes are the world's most commonly consumed source of protein, and likely one of the best foods for pain. There are over thirteen thousand varieties of beans grown in the world! Because they are inexpensive and easy to grow in so many climates, beans have been central to diets around the world for centuries. Beans are an excellent source of fiber and protein, making them one of nature's most perfect foods.

Some of the most common types of beans are: kidney beans, lentils, black beans, chickpeas, and split peas. Many delicious meals can be made up of primarily beans and lentils.

Tofu and Other Soy Products
Soybeans are another bean, but because soy is such a chameleon, it deserves its own category. Besides tasting good by itself, soy, in the form of tofu, can take on a host of other flavors, and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. Soybeans are the richest source of plant-based proteins on the market, as well as being an excellent source of fiber, iron, and B vitamins.

Red Meats vs. Fish and Poultry
The best flesh-protein choices include poultry, fish and seafood because fish and seafood is high in Omega 3 fatty acids.

Red meat is an excellent source of protein, but because it is high in fat can also lead to inflammation, so a diet low in red meat is best. Choose lean cuts of bison, venison or other game meats, or very low-fat cuts of beef. Keep the portion size small and trim off excess fat.

Uric Acid - Food to Avoid to Control Gout

When thinking about the uric acid food to avoid we automatically think about seafood and red meat but it may surprise you to learn the other foods that are considered high in purine that will lead to a build up of uric acid in the body. In this article we are going to give you a detailed list of the main uric acid foods to avoid to help control your gout. We will also tell you about some alternative ways to control gout.

Gout is a very painful form of arthritis that mainly attacks the joints of the big toes in men but it also affects women in the same way and can sometimes attack other joints such as the fingers, the knee, the wrists, the ankles and the elbows. Unlike other forms of arthritis, gout is 100% controllable if you understand the right foods to eat and take the right over the counter supplements.

Many doctors will prescribe drugs such as allopurinol to help get rid of your gout but these drugs can have some very serious side effects. There is a theory going around at the moment that allopurinol can destroy blood vessels in some people. Research is on-going on this but I wouldn't like to be a guinea pig for this drug. Wouldn't it make a lot more sense if you got rid of uric acid at the source... high purine foods!

Uric Acid Food to Avoid

• Anchovies. The worst seafood for gout sufferers.
  
  


• Roe (fish eggs). For the rich and famous.
  
  


• Fish such as herring and mackerel. Again a seafood that is very high in purine.
  
  


• Sardines. Again a seafood that is very high in purine.
  
  


• Scallops and mussels. Again a seafood that is very high in purine.
  
  


• Game meats, like goose, duck, and partridge.
  
  


• Organ meats: brains, heart, kidney, liver, and sweetbreads.
  
  


• Meat extracts. Oxo or Bovril.
  
  


• Mincemeat and all other red meats.
  
  


• Broth, bouillon, and consomme.
  
  


• Gravy.
  
  


• Yeast (baker's and brewer's) supplements.

Foods to Avoid When Experiencing Gout - Important Diet Tips You Need to Know

Gout is one of those medical conditions that most of us know absolutely nothing about until we experience it. Once you have gout, you'll likely do everything in your power to find out as much as you can about it. That's because the pain itself is so debilitating. Gout hurts incredibly. It can leave you feeling worn out and exhausted by the end of the day. Even though the pain is concentrated in your foot, it radiates throughout your body, affecting everything you do. There are many medical approaches to take to treat this disease, but they all have consequences. In the case of anti inflammatory drugs, they can damage the sensitive lining of your stomach causing even more pain. That's why more and more people are turning to a natural approach to take care of the condition. One way to do that is through diet. There are several foods you'll want to avoid if you do have gout.

Purines is a word you need to become very familiar with if you have gout. High levels of uric acid in your body are the cause of a gout attack. Eating foods rich in purines causes more uric acid to be produced. So it just makes sense that if you have gout, you want to avoid the foods that are full of purines. To start with that includes red meat. That means you need to greatly limit, if not completely remove, all beef, lamb and pork from your diet. Start the switch over to fish and chicken as your main sources of protein. It may take a bit to get used to giving up hamburgers and pork chops, but you'll quickly realize how beneficial it is in terms of controlling your gout.

Other foods that have purines include those that are fried. If you're accustomed to stopping by the local fast food place to indulge in some french fries, you should consider changing that eating habit. Fried foods and gout just don't get along. If you are really craving something fried, try baking it instead. Baked chicken breast with some seasoned breaded coating is just as tasty as traditional fried chicken is. You can also make your own french fries at home by cutting up a potato, tossing it with some olive oil, sprinkle on a little salt and bake. They're a healthier version of what you're used to and gout friendly too.

Flushing impurities out of your body can be very helpful with treating gout. That means drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day. If you struggle with drinking plain water, you can always brew up some herbal tea to add to the taste. Avoid sugar filled juices and instead switch over to orange juice for your breakfast or a snack. It's filled with nutrients and doesn't contain empty calories. Watching everything you eat and drink will help better control your gout in the future.

Arthritis Relief and Your Diet

Arthritis affects more than 40 million Americans and is referred to as the

most common chronic disease in people over 40.
Doctors believe there are over 100 different forms of arthritis, all sharing

one main characteristic: they all cause joint inflammation.
What can you do to relieve the symptoms of arthritis? A lot.
There is a great deal of debate in the medical world about the effects of overall

diet on arthritis and using diet toward alleviating the condition.
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.
What is known however, is that overall dietary health is important and does

come into play. Weight and nutrition are two factors that play a role in arthritic

pain.
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.
If you suffer from arthritis make sure you eat good foods and get help from

healthcare providers to create and follow a well-balanced dietary plan.
To begin with, here are some vitamins, minerals, foods, supplements and herbal

applications to consider.
Vitamins that have shown to reduce tissue swelling or provide relief include

Vitamins B5, B6, B12, the antioxidant vitamins C and E, and vitamin K, which

improves bone health.
Several independent studies have found that rheumatoid arthritis patients given

increased doses of zinc showed marginal improvement.
Other minerals to consider include Boron, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese (not

to be taken with calcium), Copper, Germanium and Sulfur.
The National Institutes of Health is studying the food supplements, glucosamine

and chondroitin, for use in relieving symptoms of pain and stiffness for some

persons with osteoarthritis.
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 anti-inflammatory properties.

Increasing dietary fish intake or fish oil capsules (omega 3 capsules) can relieve

inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
For more information, see Omega

3 Fats
Glutathione is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties and can be

safely boosted by consuming its precursors available in the supplements, N-Acetyl-Cysteine

(NAC) or undenatured whey protein.
For more information, see Glutathione.
Quercetin is also known to help reduce inflammation, while Type II Collagen

plays a role in growth and repair of joints, articular cartilage and connective

tissue.
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

always better to increase in vitamin or mineral intake through your normal diet.

Foods To Avoid
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. The best way to approach the situation

is to examine each arthritic condition and tailor one's approach based upon

the specifics.
Ingesting foods that contain sodium nitrate or tartrazine can inflame rheumatoid

arthritis, while ingesting foods containing a substance called hydrazine can

contribute to an arthritic condition connected to lupus.
Black walnuts can cause flare-ups in people a rare type of arthritis called

Behcet's Disease.
With osteoarthritis, deterioration of cartilage is a concern. Since there is

some evidence that Vitamin A, contributes to cartilage deterioration, those

with osteoarthritis should avoid large doses of it.
Although clinical proof is not available, anecdotal evidence suggests that

in the case of fibromyalgia, eliminating wheat, dairy, citrus, sugar, aspartame

(Nutrasweet), alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco can provide relief.
Many nutritionists and naturopaths suggest that those suffering with rheumatoid

arthritis avoid dairy products all together, as they seem to exacerbate rheumatoid

arthritis flare-ups.
The report "I

Cured My Arthritis You Can Too" suggests that white flour aggravates

arthritis symptoms.
Disclaimer: The information here is not provided by medical professionals and

is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician

before beginning any course of treatment.