Dietary Recommendations For Gout

The condition of gout has often been referred to as "the disease of kings" due to the fact that the overindulgence of certain foods and beverages - specifically seafood, meat, and alcohol - are associated with its cause.

In the past, one of the primary treatments for gout was the recommendation to avoid the foods that were rich in purines because they cause an excess of uric acid to be produced by the body, however, purines are contained in numerous foods and eliminating these foods creates a very restricted diet that most individuals are unable to stick too.

Fortunately, medications that have been developed specifically for the treatment of gout have alleviated the need for such a restrictive diet. However, it is still very beneficial to maintain a healthy diet as well as limit the intake of certain foods along with taking these medications to reduce the frequency of gout attacks as well as their severity.

In this medical guide for the physical complication of gout, you will discover many other dietary recommendations that will assist you in coping with the symptoms associated with this arthritis related condition. Remember to consult your medical doctor prior to starting any type of diet program.

Limit Foods that are high in Purine and Avoid Alcohol

While purine is a naturally occurring substance in the body, it is also found in high levels in many of the foods we consume. Uric acid is produced by the body when breaking down these purines and when an excessive amount of foods that contain purine are consumed the body can produce an excess amount of uric acid that can eventually form into the hardened crystals that accumulate in the joints and cause the symptoms of gout.

Therefore, avoiding these foods is very beneficial in controlling this production of uric acid. These foods include red or fatty meats such as beef, lamb, and pork, and fatty fish such as lobster, scallops, tuna, and shrimp.

Other foods that are high in purine include organ meats, mussels, sweetbreads, sardines, yeast, smelt, and herring. An alternative for consuming protein that is contained in many of these foods is the consumption of plant-based proteins that includes such food items as legumes and beans.

Alcohol - particularly beer - is known to be another contributing factor to gout and should especially be avoided during an attack. It is also recommended that plenty of fluids - particularly water - be consumed throughout the day with this recommendation being eight to sixteen eight ounce glasses.

Dairy Products and Carbohydrates

Low fat dairy products are thought by some medical experts to lower the risk for developing or having frequent reoccurrences of gout. Studies conducted have indicated that low-fat or skim milk as well as foods such as yogurt containing these ingredients have been beneficial to patients with gout.

Avoiding simple carbohydrates such as white bread, refined sugar, candy, and cakes is also recommended and should be replaced by foods that contain complex carbohydrates such as whole grain breads, vegetables, and fresh fruits.

While following these recommendations may help in reducing the level of uric acid in the blood, it most patients who suffer from gout it will not be significant enough to eliminate any prescribed medications, however, it may help to reduce the symptoms and frequency of gout attacks.

Top 6 Food Groups to Help Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers

Rheumatoid Arthritis - What It Is

This chronic inflammatory disease of the joints is the most serious form of arthritis and can affect the entire body. Fever, loss of appetite, and a general ill feeling frequently accompany inflamed, stiff joints.

How Food May Help

Evidence suggests that consuming a diet high in unprocessed foods - fruits, vegetables, and whole grains - lowers the risk for rheumatoid arthritis. Because some drugs prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis depletes the important B vitamin folate, many experts advise consuming folate-rich foods.

There is considerable evidence that suggests the powerful antioxidants in tumeric may help modify inflammatory compounds and activate the body's own anti-inflammatory actions.

Top 6 Food Groups That Will Help

#1 - Pineapple - contain bromelain - The pineapple enzyme bromelain has been reported to decrease inflammation.

#2 - Apples, Berries, Citrus Fruits, Onions - contain flavonoids - Support connective tissue and lower inflammation.

#3 - Salmon, Mackerel, Tuna - contain omega 3 fatty acids - Clinical studies demonstrate the beneficial effect of these fats on arthritis symptoms, including joint stiffness, tenderness and fatigue.

#4 - Ginger - contain shogoals & gingerols - Ginger exerts powerful antioxidant activity and is thought to suppress the development of inflammation compounds.

#5 Citrus Fruits, Peppers, Strawberries - contain vitamin c - Vitamin c support connective tissue in the joints, provides valuable antioxidant activity, and helps inhibit inflammation.

#6 Avocados, Nuts, Seeds, Whole Grains - contain vitamin e - Clinical findings indicate this powerful antioxidant helps relieve joint pain and stiffness.

Home Remedies for Osteoarthritis that Work

Some home remedies for osteoarthritis can work wonders.

A good one will strengthen the immune system, prevent the spread and severity of the disease and provide safe relief from painful inflammation.

Home remedies for osteoarthritis are particularly important since there are serious proven dangerous side effects when taking commercial painkillers like Celebrex, Vioxx, Bextra and Aleve.

When you consider the fact that most prescribed arthritis medications are not proven to be safe and don't strengthen the immune system or offer long-term pain relief, it only makes good sense to take a more holistic approach.

Plus, more and more evidence shows that lifestyle changes, diet and home remedies can both help prevent arthritis and provide relief from the painful symptoms. As a result, more and more people with osteoarthritis are living happier, healthier lives.

Although the cause is still unknown, most experts agree that arthritis is connected to a breakdown of the immune system.

This happens when the immune system is either too weak to prevent viruses from attacking the joints or it has lost the discretionary power to recognize the difference between healthy cells and viruses. Therefore, a faulty immune system destroys both.

If not managed, arthritis can grow progressively worse and cause very limited range of motion and permanent damage. For example, rheumatoid arthritis that starts in one joint can spread throughout the entire body, if it's not prevented.

Therefore, at the first sign of joint stiffness, pain or swelling, it's important to take action towards prevention. It's an even better idea to start before symptoms begin.

You want both safe relief from the pain and inflammation, plus a stronger immune system for controlling the spread of the disease.

The natural home remedy solution for osteoarthritis is basically the same as it is for any arthritis or degenerative disease.

The American Medical Association recommends supplements for everyone, especially people dealing with degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. So begin improving your immune system with a healthy diet that includes whole food supplements - particularly fish oil.

Moderate exercise combined with a healthy diet can help you reach and maintain your optimum weight. Every extra pound puts additional stress on joints increasing the odds of painful arthritis.

Low impact exercise, such as walking, swimming or yoga, are also good low stress ways to strengthen bones, joints and muscles, improve flexibility and reduce depression, fatigue and stress.

You'll also need to cut back or eliminate red meat, since those who eat more red meat have twice the risk of arthritic pain compared to those who eat red meat no more than once a week.

For further building up of your immune system, replace non-nutritious foods in your diet with more whole grains, colorful fruits and vegetables and cold water omega 3 fish, such as salmon.

The most important of all home remedies for osteoarthritis is pure fish oil supplements. Fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory pain reliever and has been proven to help protect people from arthritis.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - Early Diagnosis is Essential For Effective Treatment

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, also known as JRA, is considered a disease of the autoimmune system. Although no one cause has been determined as the cause of the disease in babies as young as six months to teens as old as 15, there are specific symptoms. An early diagnosis of these symptoms helps significantly in starting early treatment.

When pain, stiffness and swelling occurs in five or fewer joints of the body, the condition is called Oligoarticular JRA. This type of the disease is usually noticed because the iris of the eye becomes inflamed. Polyarticular Arthritis is the second type, more often affecting girls and causing swelling and pain in the small joints of the hand as well as the neck, hips, knees, ankles and feet. The third type of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is systemic JRA and affects all of the body's joints with stiffness, pain and swelling, along with sudden high fevers and intermittent rashes.

If children complain of any of the symptoms of JRA, a complete medical examination by a physician is warranted. Tests may include x-rays, a complete blood count, examination of the bone marrow and tests that can determine whether or not the Rheumatoid factor or other antibodies are present in the blood, which is a distinguishing sign of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Once the symptoms have been diagnosed as being caused by some type of JRA, an effective treatment program can commence. This might include injections of corticosteriod medication directly into the body's joints, surgery, physical therapy or gentle exercise. Eating a diet rich in calcium to strengthen the bones has also been found to be effective in the treatment of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Discover Alternative Medicine Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Over the years, there has been an explosion of interest in learning more about alternative medicine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Indeed, there are several different complementary and alternative medicine approaches. As such, we will provide you with information in regards to some natural substances that may be helpful for rheumatoid arthritis. However, keep in mind that what may work for one person may not work for another. In addition, it's extremely important that you consult your physician before taking any herbal or dietary supplements.

Now, without further adieu, let's delve into alternative medicine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in regards to natural substances.

Become acquainted with the fish in the sea. Fish oil has shown favorable effects to help partially relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil harbors omega-3 fatty acids that have inflammation-fighting actions. However, it's important to note that positive results can take three months to become evident. On the other hand, fish oil is often recommended by leading experts as one of the natural substances that may help rheumatoid arthritis sufferers and, as such, we have listed it as a consideration for alternative medicine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, fish oil harbors many other powerful health enhancing benefits.

Get aid from India. Turmeric, the yellow spice from India, harbors anti-inflammatory compounds that appears to ease inflammation and has no side effects. More specifically, test-tube and laboratory studies have confirmed turmeric exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. Turmeric's chief constituent is known as curcumin. However, it also contains volatile oils, which also harbors medicinal effects.

According to the well renowned tome "The New Healing Herbs" written by Michael Castleman, an award-winning health journalist who states:

"Several Indian studies have tested turmeric and curcumin as treatments for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, with positive results. In one study, the herb relieved the morning stiffness and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis as well as a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
(NSAID). But unlike NSAIDS, turmeric caused no significant abdominal distress." (Page 395-396.)

Actually, in India, curcumin is considered a standard anti-inflammatory medication. Indeed, turmeric as an alternative medicine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis deserves a discussion with a physician.

Get more aid from India. Boswellia comes from the Boswellia serrata tree that grows in the dry hills of India. For centuries, Ayurvedic healers used the tree bark's gummy resin, called salai guggal as a natural anti-inflammatory. Modern science has verified what ancient Ayurvedic healers knew all along: clinical studies using boswellia have shown good results in rheumatoid arthritis as well as osteoarthritis. More specifically, it is believed that boswellic acids, active compounds in boswellia, can block leukotriene synthesis. Leukotrienes are hormonelike compounds that can cause pain and inflammation, which could explain why it may be helpful in medical conditions involved in inflammation. Indeed, this herb is one of the most ancient and respected herbs in Ayurvedic healing and deserves a spot on your list of alternative medicine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis considerations.

Put out the pain with this burning flame. Cayenne, commonly known as red pepper, cayenne chili pepper, and capsicum is a native to Central America. Cayenne owes its hot fiery taste and its hot healing powers to its active ingredient capsaicin. When applied to the skin as a cream, apparently it blocks the action of the neurotransmitter substance P, a nerve chemical responsible for carrying pain signals to the brain. As such, cayenne is often recommended for topical use to alleviate joint and muscle pain by many alternative medicine experts. For this reason, it is often used to help ease the pain associated with arthritis. Therefore, it too is considered an alternative medicine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Meet Ginger. Ginger has long been recommended for many types of arthritis, including rheumatoid because it can have a powerful anti-inflammatory impact on the body. According to the well known reference book called "Prescription for Herbal Healing", written by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC who states:

"A three-year study of fifty-six people with rheumatoid arthritis found that about 75 percent of the subjects achieved relief from pain and swelling by taking powdered ginger." (Page 71.)

Zap pain with bromelain. Bromelain is the name of a group of powerful protein-digesting enzymes derived from the pineapple plant. It harbors powerful anti-inflammatory effects and its been used successfully to treat a number of disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Kick in vitamin E. Often found deficient in arthritis sufferers, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the joints from free radical damage.

Discover other natural powerful substances that may be helpful: Cat's claw, devils claw, willow bark, and borage oil.

Become familiar with other alternative medicine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis: Vegetarian/vegan diet, acupuncture, magnets, and mind-body therapies.

Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre's opinion on alternative medicine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in regards to supplements

We believe you may want to consider a comprehensive formula specifically designed to combat arthritis. In fact, a comprehensive formula using carefully selected ingredients can offer more therapeutic benefits, often better than taking a single nutrient or herb on its own.

Therefore, it's important to understand the how and why of what makes some these comprehensive arthritis products useful -- an important factor in making an informed choice. Moreover, mixing and matching nutrients and herbs on your own can be very dangerous to your health as well as expensive.

However, make sure that the product is professionally and scientifically formulated by a highly-credentialed scientific team that can ensure the proper blending of ingredients, to maximize the therapeutic benefits needed to combat rheumatoid arthritis.

Treating Gout With an Alkaline Diet

Gout is a form of arthritis and is often extremely painful during flare-ups. Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body. The buildup collects in the joints and forms small crystals. The presence of the acid and the crystals cause inflammation. The result is intense joint pain, particularly in the big toe. The area may feel warm to the touch and swollen and the pain may be worse at night.

Although there is no cure for gout, it is a completely manageable condition. Many take a prescribed medicine that can reduce the inflammation and ease the pain. Between flare-ups of pain, a different medicine is used to help reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood and ward away future attacks.

In addition to medicine, gout may be helped by following a diet consisting of mainly alkaline foods. These foods can help balance the body's pH levels and neutralize the excess acid. This will prevent the uric acid from building up and crystallizing in the joints. Alkaline foods can also combat the effects of eating the occasional acidic food that increase the production of uric acid.

Almost all vegetables and many fruits are alkaline. Legumes, nuts and tubers are also options for an alkaline diet. Foods to avoid include red meat, fish and sweetbreads. The following foods are alkaline and can help reduce uric acid.

Fruits - Banana, berries, melons, grapes, pineapple, peach, papaya, apples, cherries, dates,pears and mango.

Vegetables - Parsley, broccoli, kelp, carrots, potatoes, celery, pumpkin, cabbage, radish, lettuce, kale and beet

Others - Cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger, almonds, fruit juice, curry and mustard.

As an added benefit, an alkaline diet consists of foods that are healthy and low in fat. Eating these foods can aid in weight loss, digestive health, maintaining energy, reducing blood pressure and keeping bones strong. Making an effort to include these foods will result in overall better health and well-being.

Many of the foods that are on the food pyramid are highly acidic. Because of this, the common American diet is full of foods that increase acid. Those with gout need to monitor the kinds of foods they eat. Adjusting the diet so that it comprised of mainly alkaline foods may take some self-discipline. In the end, it is worth it when painful flare-ups are a thing of the past.

Alkaline foods can be used to reduce the effects of uric acid as well as the time between painful gout flare-ups. However, they will generally not help during the actual flare-up. In times of incapacitating pain, individuals need to seek immediate care from a medical professional. The doctor can prescribe pain and anti-inflammatory medicine to help relieve joint pain.

Atkins Vs Paleo - What Works and What Doesn't

Recently I've seen a lot of websites and books make comparisons between the Paleo Diet and the Atkins diet. "It's like Atkins," they say, "but you can eat fruit!" I understand that a lot of people in our community are trying to convert non-believers from other diets. And I understand that having someone make the switch from Atkins to Paleo probably isn't much of a stretch. But in my opinion, trying to say the Atkins Diet is like the Paleo Diet doesn't do the Paleo Diet any favors and ignores the key concepts of the diet. It's really not like the Atkins Diet at all.

The Atkins Diet is NOT the Paleo Diet

The Atkins Diet, for most people, is not a life-long endeavor. It's not a lifestyle. It's a way to cut weight by keeping your carbohydrates as close to zero as possible. I recently spoke to someone that mentioned she was going to do Atkins (again) because she was happy with her weight loss in Phase 1. And Phase 1 is understandably where most people fall off the Atkins wagon. Nobody wants to eat bacon and sausage every day of their life because eating a grape fruit would send their body out of ketosis and kill their weight loss.

The Paleo Diet isn't based on counting carbohydrates, or grams of fat, or even calories. It is based on the principle that you should eat what our ancestors ate. And that's it. Our ancestors didn't eat pre-packaged, sodium-rich "meat products" -- they ate MEAT. While these meat-products are fine on the Atkins diet as long as they don't add to your carbohydrate count, someone following a paleolithic lifestyle would assuredly pass on them. Our ancestors didn't eat Whole Grain Wheat toast or "Heart-Healthy" Cheerios, they ate wholesome vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

There is no induction phase for the Paleo Diet.

You don't lose weight rapidly for 2 weeks and then plateau off.Weight loss with paleo happens all the time throughout the course of your life until you reach your ideal body weight. Eating natural foods, you will find it extremely hard to reach enough calories to gain any weight and the closer you are to your ideal weight, the less calories your body will need to consume, the less you will eat.

Foods that are calorie dense (such as meats) will keep you full for hours, making you eat less of them. Between meals you can snack on fruits and vegetables that provide essential nutrients and vitamins but won't pack on the calories. Some vegetables and most fruits are severely limited or banned on the Atkins diet because of their natural carbohydrates.

In my experience on the Atkins Diet, there was never really a time that I didn't crave cakes, or sweets, or fruit. I tried to block them out. I tried to get my mind off of them. But I always wanted them.

On the Paleo Diet you don't miss out on the sweet taste of fruit -- because you can eat as much of it as you want. You don't miss eating cakes because you can make your own cakes without wheat flour. Pizza? You can eat that, too, as long as you make it yourself using natural ingredients. The best part of Paleo is the community. If you have a craving for something, you can be sure that someone else has made a paleo variation of it and posted it on the internet.

In the first four months after starting the Paleolithic Diet, I had lost over 40lbs and my wife had lost over 50lbs, eating delicious food that we wanted to eat.

The Paleo Diet is for Designed for Your Health

While the Atkins diet may be healthier for you than eating a bag of Doritos, you're still loading your body with unnatural preservatives, sodium, and other industrial garbage while never really getting the essential nutrients your body needs to thrive.

There is anecdotal evidence that the Paleo Diet treats or can even cure illnesses like cancer, Rheumatoid arthritis, Multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease and adult onset (Type 2) diabetes.

In my own case, the Paleo Diet cured me of GERD and allowed me to stop taking all of my prescribed medications.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Paleo Diet and the Atkins Diet are two diametrically opposed diets. They may be similar in that they both condone eating meat, but that's really where the similarities end, as each diet comes to that conclusion through vastly different philosophies. Based on my own experiences with both diets, I choose the Paleo Diet for Life.

Treating Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory form of arthritis affecting approximately two million Americans. It is a systemic, autoimmune disease for which there is no known cure.

Several pieces of data have shown that joint damage in RA can occur as early as 4 months after the start of symptoms. And further evidence has demonstrated that early intervention with the disease using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) therapy improves signs and symptoms of the disease but also slows the rate of x-ray progression, a primary determinant of future disability. In addition, since it is a systemic disease, damage inflicted on the joints can also be accompanied by significant damage to other organ systems such as the lungs, eyes, bone marrow, skin, and nerves.

Guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology have suggested the prompt initiation of DMARD therapy within the first three months of diagnosis. Sometimes adding low dose prednisone - an oral corticosteroid- can help buy time by serving as a "bridge" until the DMARD begins to kick in. Combining methotrexate, the "workhorse" DMARD, with low dose prednisone can reduce disease activity, slow the rate of progression of disease, and prevent further physical disability.

One word of warning is that delay of treatment beyond three months from the time of diagnosis has grave consequences since there is a higher probability of joint damage and less likelihood of achieving remission in the future. Furthermore, joint damage, once it occurs, cannot be reversed. So, prevention is the key.

So a common sense paradigm has emerged for the management of early rheumatoid arthritis. This is a model which most rheumatologists increasingly are adhering to.

The first is early diagnosis. This, of course depends on early referral to a rheumatologist.

The second important point is to institute DMARD treatment, preferably with methotrexate, along with low dose prednisone immediately.

And the final approach is to use the "treat to target" model that has become in vogue recently. Treating to target implies the need for very tight control of the disease. This approach allows a patient to have a custom-tailored treatment program with the aim of establishing either low disease activity or complete remission. The achievement of the treatment target can be objectively made using various measurement tools, including joint counts, blood tests of inflammation, and various imaging techniques.

Such a treatment approach is not dissimilar to the treatment approaches for other serious chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

The Truth About Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Relief - Does Sitting in a Hot Tub Really Help?

It's quite common advice - although probably not from the strict professionals - that spending time, soaking in a hot tub is a great method of rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. But is this actually true? Is this something that people in pain actually do, or is it just lame advice dished out by an uneducated friend?

In this article we'll take a closer look into whether this approach is right for you or whether it's just an overly recommended myth. Here are some things to think about before considering a hot tub as effective rheumatoid arthritis pain relief:

It May Be A "No Go" To Start With: You don't really need anyone to tell you that you might not even be able to get into the hot tub in the first place. If you're in that much pain, then climbing over the edge of the steep sides or up a precarious ladder can be next to impossible. So, no matter how much rheumatoid arthritis pain relief other people have experienced with a hot tub, it's not worth you injuring or hurting yourself even more. And it's one thing climbing into the hot tub, but remember, you'll have to climb out again, only this time wet and slippery. So use your own judgement: if you have the ability to get into the hot tub, then there's no harm in giving it a shot, but don't go beyond your limits.

It Depends On You: The thing with rheumatoid arthritis pain relief, is that it varies so much from person to person. What works for one rheumatoid arthritis sufferer could have absolutely no effect on another sufferer, or could even make their pain worse. You need to know what works for you. Do you find that cold water eases up your pain the most, or simply cool air? Or do you find that actually moving your joint or applying pressure gives you the most relief? At the end of the day, sitting in a hot tub could be the complete opposite of what has given you relief up until this point.

Be Careful Of Flare Ups: You may find that applying heat does help your general rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, but during a flare up of your joints, adding heat just makes the feeling worse. Again, try and use your own judgement.

In conclusion, to answer the question: does sitting in a hot tub provide relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms? The answer is: maybe. If you're capable of climbing over the sides and know that up until this point, heat usually helps with rheumatoid arthritis pain relief, then it's definitely worth giving the idea a shot. However, you just need to know that it's definitely not a clear cut rule that works for everyone, and to not place too much expectation on the idea.

Discover Relief From Painful Arthritis by Eating Delicious and Nutritious Foods

It's true that what you eat affects your entire body. Way back, a lot of doctors dismissed diet as having any part in the progression of arthritis. Today, however, massive research has proven this theory wrong. If you are looking for the best approach to painful arthritis, then consider natural, holistic means. Ayurveda, practiced for more than 5 centuries, focuses on attaining and maintaining a healthy balance in body, mind, and spirit. Ayurvedic therapy suggests that there are chemicals and substances in certain foods that can either increase or reduce inflammation.

Although the list of foods to avoid for those suffering from arthritis pain seems endless, take heart. The list of healthy, natural, delicious and life-giving foods is even longer! Just think, making a few, simple and right choices everyday can improve the quality of your life drastically.

Below are some of the most highly recommended foods that help manage painful arthritis by fighting inflammation:

1. Apricots - are loaded with beta-carotene and fiber, and fresh apricots have an abundant supply of vitamins and A and C. Like most fruits, these delicious treats not only help reduce inflammation but also help prevent muscular degeneration, which leads to impaired vision. Be careful about eating dried fruit, especially apricots, as they have much more sugar than the fresh variety. You may soak dried fruit in boiling water to dissolve residual sugar and then letting it reconstitute overnight.

2. Strawberries - are especially rich in anti-inflammatory properties, with phenols that decrease the activity of the COX enzyme, a job usually left for aspirin or ibrupofen, which can also cause intestinal bleeding. The small seeds on the outside that give the fruit its characteristic look also add to its high fiber content. Raspberries have several antioxidant flavanoids that can counteract bacteria and fungi, including candida, which can lead to vaginal infections and irritable bowel syndrome.

3. Carrots - are not only high in vitamin A but are also loaded with beta-carotene, which helps fight inflammation. A fat-soluble antioxidant, beta-carotene, along with other cartenoids such as lutein and lycopene (found in tomatoes and watermelon) may also lower levels of deleterious C-reactive protein. Consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in cartenoids and other nutrients does fight inflammation.

Eating a balanced and nutritious diet rich in whole foods will do wonders to support the body so it can heal itself naturally. You can manage painful arthritis by simply following some simple dietary advice.

Is Your Arthritis Pain Caused by A Yeast Infection?

Arthritis is described by the Arthritis Foundation as a "chronic, systemic, inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology." Which means they have no clue what causes it.

The stats from arthritis are staggering, as it's a major disability in North America, targeting 1 in 4 adults. It cost 86.2 billion to treat in 1997, stats which have only grown since.

It is a crippling and painful disease that can cause fear induced paralysis, due to the fear of the pain that moving causes.

An article published by 19 doctors in The Townsend Letter for Doctors in January of '95 states that systemic yeast infections can mimic symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Food allergies caused by yeast have been linked to arthritis by Dr. D. Adamo and others. The foods that you're allergic to cause your body to produce IgE and IgG antibodies. When this happens for years, it gradually wears out the immune system and as a result the allergens in your food are no longer completely removed.

When these allergens do enter the system, they congregate around the joints and clump into the cells, damaging them. The immune system tries to fight them off, but due to being worn out from years of fighting, it is unable to cope. The ensuing inflammation causes further damage and leads to arthritis.

Yeast and other fungi can also deposit mycotoxins into your joints, further damaging them and worsening your arthritis.

To beat your arthritis, and get back the flexibility and mobility you had when you were younger, check with your health care provider and see if a systemic yeast infection is causing your arthritis symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief - Massage Therapy For Managing Arthritic Pain

Massage therapy will not cure rheumatoid arthritis but it will definitely offer a rheumatoid arthritis pain relief and will lessen the stress associated with it.

Why Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is considered one of the popular alternative or complementary rheumatoid arthritis treatments because:

- It lessens muscle tension so that stiffness and muscle pain is reduced.
- It promotes better blood flow.
- It improves joint movement and flexibility.
- It reduces inflammation and the pain that goes along with it.
- It is relaxing hence people don't feel stressed out.

According to a recent study, massage therapy has helped to increase grip strength in the hands of people who suffer from arthritis. In a four week period, a massage was given once a week to participants in the study. In addition, the participants were asked to perform the same massage routine on a daily basis.

Different Types of Massage Therapy

There are different types of massage therapy used for managing arthritic pain. These are:

1. Swedish Massage. Swedish massage is a whole body massage that involves the following techniques:

• Effleurage where there is a gliding movement of the hands that is meant to relax the muscles and calm the nerves. The pressure used is light to medium.


• Petrissage which involves kneading of the flesh.


• Friction strokes which are supposed to attack deeper problem areas in the muscles. This technique involves the most pressure.


• Vibration where parts of the body are gently shaken.


• Tapotement is a tapping movement which can be done with cupped hands, using the side of the hands or by curling the hand into a loose fist.

2. Myofascial Release. During a myofascial massage, the patient is massaged using long and stretching strokes. This approach releases tension in the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding the muscles.

3. Trigger Point Therapy. In this approach, trigger points are identified then pressure is applied (using the fingers) so that they no longer cause pain to other parts of the body.

4. Reflexology. Reflexology is similar to trigger point therapy in that they both use pressure to ease pain but the former is restricted to points in the hands and feet.

5. Acupressure and Shiatsu. In acupressure and shiatsu, the fingers are used to apply pressure on specific regions of the body. They are similar to acupuncture in that they all "attack" the same points in the body to help release or control pain.

6. Deep Tissue Massage. This approach attacks the areas beneath the surface muscles so strong pressure is usually applied.

Massage therapy provides a safe rheumatoid arthritis relief and while it is true that it doesn't eliminate arthritis altogether, it improves quality of life by effectively managing the pain that comes along with it.

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Linked to Food Allergy & Intolerances

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease (Autoimmune disease) that is characterised by daily pain, stiffness and fatigue which, in turn, limits activities of daily living. Rheumatoid arthritis, a crippling disease that affects approximately 2-3% of the world's population, and usually starts between the ages of 20-40 years and is more common in women, affecting them 3 times more often than men. Some forms of the disease can occur in children. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1 percent of our population and at least two million Americans have definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis. It is a much more devastating illness than previously appreciated.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in all races and ethnic groups. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory illness that affects the joints and because it is "systemic" (affecting the entire body), it can affect other parts of the body as well. Rheumatoid arthritis treatment includes painkillers and medicines to reduce inflammation and prevent the disease's progression.

Medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biological response modifiers, and corticosteroids. Non-drug treatments include physical therapy; modified exercise programs; devices such as canes, special shoes, and splints (rigid supports that keep a part of the body from moving while it heals); and lifestyle changes--such as balancing activity with rest, eating a healthy diet, and reducing stress.

Medicines that manage your immune system (called Immuno-suppressants) can also be used to fight RA. When you have RA, your immune system is out of control.

Patients with these diseases have antibodies in their blood which target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation.

Commonly affected joints include those in the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and neck. Rheumatoid arthritis varies from person to person, but most cases are chronic, meaning they never go away. Some people have mild or moderate disease, with flares (periods of worsening symptoms) and remissions.

Rheumatoid arthritis is also considered a risk factor for a condition called osteoporosis in which a portion of bone loses its blood supply and begins to die. In RA, multiple joints are usually, but not always, affected in a symmetrical pattern (affecting both sides of the body at the same time, for example both hands might be affected).

Patients should always consult with their doctor about the choice of medication. Medicines must be used carefully and patients should tell their doctors about any changes that occur. Patients may not notice that their rheumatoid arthritis is affecting their spinal cord because this disease also causes arthritis in the fingers, hands, and hips at the same time.

Painful arthritis in some joints can in some cases mask the symptoms of further damage, such as spinal cord compression.

Many foods are known to help one's RA, while many others will actually contribute to the disease or trigger the symptoms, there are far to many to list here, however one of the most important foods to cut out of your diet, would be white flower, and anything made with white flour.

Rheumatoid Arthritis linked to food allergy & intolerance's

Bad foods for arthritis tend to contain chemicals called inflammatory prostaglandins, which can be directly responsible for triggering some arthritis conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis in particular is closely linked to food allergy & intolerance's. Most sufferers have been shown to greatly improve when they cut out certain foods or restrict their diet, which eliminates the foods to which they are allergic.

Foods all Arthritics should avoid;

1.Shellfish
2.Fat & all fatty foods
3.Fried food
4.Additives and preservatives
5.Mayonnaise

Foods which should be treated with caution;

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

1.Potatoes (especially when green and sprouting)
2.Tomatoes (especially when green)
3.Hot peppers
4.Sweet peppers
5.Paprika

Good and beneficial foods;

1.Brown rice
2.Sweet potatoes
3.Onions
4.Garlic
5.Celery
6.Oily fish

This is just a small list of good and bad foods, which are known to influence arthritis. Diet and natural treatments for arthritis are not necessarily the fastest remedies. This is because they sometimes have to cure a basic imbalance in the body which may take up to a few weeks, however natural practices do actually tackle the underlying contributing factor of one's RA and not just the symptoms.

Some natural arthritis treatment recommend a short period of fasting for a day or two, even for healthy people. There have been claims that fasting is effective to treat many conditions, arthritis being one of them.

Natural practices could be the answer to one's RA,and shouldn't be discounted.

Gout: How To Control It - Dietary Management In Gout

The main three primary objectives of gout management are:

(i) quick relief from the inflammatory condition,

(ii) to stop recurring attack, and

(iii) to lower the rate of deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints and to increase the rate of excretion of it through urine.

Dietary management in gout

In this disease, although some relief from the pain can be achieved by temporarily excreting out uric acid from the body by medicine, but total cure is not possible. It is only by restriction of the diet, that is, by proper diet control that relief from gout can be obtained. The primary condition of this diet control is to have only purine-less foods. But one may take foods containing very less amount of purine as well. If the amount of daily intake of purine can be restricted to 100 - 150 mg, then the symptoms of gout and hyper-uricaemia will be considerably less. The following chart shows the level of purine in different types of foods:

Purine level maximum (150 - 825 mg / 100 g )- to be avoided completely:

Liver, kidney, red meat, shellfish, herring, sardine, meat extract, gravy, broth, chopped meat, sweet bread, soyabean, rajma, lentil, alcoholic drinks (specially beer and wine).

Purine level medium (50 - 150 mg / 100 g)- can be taken occasionally:

Wholegrain bread, spinach, grains, cauliflower, peas, mushroom, asparagus, oatmeal, wheatgerm & bran, chicken, sweet-water fishes.

Purine level minimum (0 - 50 mg / 100 g)- can be taken plentifully:

Tea, coffee, soda, refined cereal, egg, cheese, milk, nuts, cream soup, macaroni/noodles, fruits & fruit-juices, vegetables, butter, vegetable oil.

Food policy in gout

Since carbohydrate meal is very helpful to increase the amount of urate excretion, therefore, 50 - 55% of the total calorie content of the diet of any gout patient should come from carbohydrate foods. The amount of protein intake should be restricted to 1g / kg ideal body weight. The amount of fat intake should also be controlled. Only 30% of the total calorie should come from fat. The amount of cholesterol, anyway, should not exceed 300 mg / day.

Generally, majority of those who suffer from gout or hyper-uricaemia also suffer from the problem of obesity. So to keep the disease under control, it is necessary to keep the body-weight under control. For this, it is required to cut short the daily calorie requirement by 400 - 500 calories.

Beside these, it is to be seen that there are adequate amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Calcium, Potassium and Phosphorus in the daily diet chart. It is required to control the uric acid level in the blood and to eradicate the chance of kidney stone. It is necessary to drink at least 3 - 4 litres of water daily. Vegetables, fruit juice, milk and milk-products are very useful in this case.

Foods that can be taken in gout

* refined cereal & cereal products, cornflakes, bread, flour, arrowroot, sago, suji, tapioca, noodles, rice, rice flour, etc. -- 150 - 250 g

* milk, milk products, cheese, paneer

* egg (1no.), linfish/linmeat (30 g, 3 - 5 times/week)

* potato, carrot, garlic, onion, cabbage, pumkin, capsicum, gourd, etc.

* guava, tomato, amla, cucumber, melon, papaya, apple

* giletin, sweets, dessert, pudding

* butter, vegetable oil, olive oil (10 - 30 g/day)

* tea, coffee, cocoa, fruit juice, vegetable juice, pure drinking water.

But if the condition of gout is too severe, then beside avoiding high and medium purine containing foods, egg, butter, cheese and fries should also be avoided.

Do tea & coffee increase the uric acid level?

Many people think that tea and coffee should be completely avoided in gout since both of them contain purine. But, in actuality, the purine present in tea or coffee does no harm in gout. Because, tea or coffee contains methylated purine, which gets converted to methyl uric acid. It does not get deposited in the body, but is excreted out through urine.

A sample diet chart to control gout

Breakfast:

* breakfast cereal/bread + jam/butter

* apple pudding

* tea/coffee

Before noon:

* cucumber + orange juice

Lunch:

* rice/chapatti

* vegetable (potato-pumkin curry or gourd curry)

* small fish/paneer

* white curd

Tiffin:

* mixed fruit salad

Dinner:

* vegetable pulao

* cucumber + tomato salad

* pudding/custard

This is a sample diet chart. But considering the individual health condition, age, body weight, height and ability to work, for the actual diet chart, it is needed to consult a specialist.

Precautions

It is very dangerous to fast completely in order to lose body weight in gout, since due to fasting the fat deposited in the body starts breaking down which creates pressure on the liver. Moreover, the nucleic acid in the cell breaks down and increases the uric acid level in the blood. Due to higher rate of fat metabolism, the chance of severe gout condition increases very much. Apart from these, the lactic acid level in the blood may increase and complicate the condition more. It is also essential to control the blood sugar level always.

The Effects of Aging on The Skeletal System

The most significant effect of aging on the skeletal system is the progressive reduction in bone density that occurs in both sexes from about the age of 50 and a tendency towards inflammation and degeneration of cartilage. There is evidence that suggests that women may start losing bone density from the age of 30 onwards, depending on lifestyle and diet. Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are conditions most commonly experienced by older people, and are related directly to bone density, joint inflammation due to degeneration of articular cartilage and a destructive collagen disease believed to have an autoimmune component. Both diet and exercise can have a significant improvement in bone density, and may impact positively on the incidence of the other two conditions.

Dietary calcium is highly recommended in the elderly as a supplement to help maintain an adequate calcium balance. In addition to extra dietary calcium, other dietary components, physical exercise and gender influence bone growth and aging. To minimize bone loss it is recommended that ample exercise be maintained, Calcium, Vitamin D and oestrogen be supplements in the diet. Avoid smoking and stomach antacids that contain aluminum; excesses in alcohol, caffeine, phosphates (for example carbonated beverages) cortico steroids, dietary fiber and dietary protein.

To reduce the incidence of fractures for those who have weakened bones from osteoporosis it is best to avoid heavy lifting and reduce falls or those situations where falls can occur. With the deterioration of joints, exercise is recommended as it slows the rate of stiffening and the rate of deceased range of movements. One of the unique features of the human body is that the more it is used, within reason, the better it works. Exercise is a preventative action against a multitude of diseases. Bones benefit greatly from physical activity with increased strength in the bones and exercises performed in weight bearing position such as bicycling, jogging and even walking stimulate the formation of new bone. Combined with adequate calcium intake exercise can prevent abnormal bone loss and osteoporosis.

Education and instruction are very important in the lifestyle education of the elderly. Many don't know what constitutes a good exercise program to provide maximum benefit to the body. It is interesting to note too that those who remain physically active usually have a positive self image. There are many benefits to other parts of the body if an exercise program is followed. For example, the ability to cope with the stresses of life, such as financial loss or social support, loss of loved ones and loss of physical image. Coping mechanisms are very important and exercise is one of these.

Fish Oil Supplements Can Relieve Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

For those suffering from the painful and often debilitating effects of rheumatoid arthritis, the only possibility of relief - until recently - involved either painful surgery or expensive medications that also bring with them their own complications.

Now, however, an increasing amount of research into alternative therapies has shown promising results from fish oil and fish oil supplements. The omega-3 fatty acids found in large amounts in fish oil seems to act as an anti-inflammatory agent with no serious side effects and only the possibility of some minor adverse reactions. Omega-3 is found naturally in fish oil or can be ingested through supplements, which is even safer than eating fish known to have high concentrations of omega-3 because those fish also run the risk of containing toxic chemicals such as mercury and PCB's.

Fish oil has been shown to benefit those with cardiac problems, improve cholesterol levels and increase brain function. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, studies have shown increased amounts of omega-3, which has the highest concentrations in fish oil, improves their condition, decreases the amount of time they have stiffness in the morning and can also decrease the amount of non-steroid anti-inflammation drugs they have to take to combat the illness.

These non-steroid anti-inflammation drugs come with plenty of potential side effects, most commonly nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, rash, dizziness and constipation. More serious side effects include fluid retention, which can lead to edema. The most serious side effects range from kidney and liver failure, to ulcers and prolonged bleeding after surgery.

Steroid medications can be prescribed for the most seriously affected patients, but those also have serious side effects, such as bone loss, suppress the body's immune system and increase blood sugar levels.

On the other hand, fish oil supplements have shown to have no side effects and only minor adverse reactions. They are also much cheaper than the non-inflammatory medications and more readily available.

While eating fish could be an important part of a good diet, fish oil supplements may be better and safer due to the fact that in order to reap the benefits of omega-3, a large amount of fish would need to be eaten on a regular basis and the fish with the highest concentrations also may contain toxic chemicals. Meanwhile, taking fish oil supplements ensures the dosage is regulated properly and worries about mercury or other toxic chemicals are non-existent since they are removed in pharmaceutical grade supplements.

To understand the potential benefits of fish oil and fish oil supplements, it is important to first understand rheumatoid arthritis, what causes it and thus how fish oil can counteract it.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, chronic type of arthritis that impacts about 1.3 million people in the U.S., and occurs about three times more often in women than in men.

While the exact cause of the disease remains unknown, contributing factors to developing it are believed to include genetics, environment and hormones.

Infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi have been suspected as causes, but this has not been proven. It is possible an outside source, such as the environment, may trigger the immune system of the body to mistakenly initiate the reaction. Usually, it is believed a combination of problems result in contracting rheumatoid arthritis. There are juvenile cases of rheumatoid arthritis, but the onset usually occurs in middle age.

It is mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It affects people differently, with some developing rather mild cases that may only last a few months or a couple of years, and others advancing to stages where joint damage occurs along with chronic pain, disability and deformities. It can also affect organs in the body. Often, the disease will progress through three stages.

In the first stage, the joint lining swells, causing warmth, pain, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint. Next is a rapid division of cells and growth of cells which cause the lining to thicken. In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that can break down the bone and cartilage in the affected area.

Most theories on the development of the disease have centered on it being an autoimmune response by the body, meaning the body basically attacks itself, though some studies in recent years indicate an outside agent, such as a viral protein, may cause the reaction. Either way, the long-time prognosis for rheumatoid arthritis is not a particularly good one.

The medical and economic costs of all types of arthritis, including rheumatoid, add up to billions of dollars every year when including medications, surgeries and wages lost. Daily joint pain associated with the disease can also lead many to experience feelings of depression, anxiety and helplessness.

Currently, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but early diagnosis can help someone continue to live a productive life. Studies show early, aggressive treatment can limit joint damage, which reduces loss of movement, increases the ability to continue to work, lowers medical costs and may be able to delay the need for surgery.

In 80 percent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an anti-body called "rheumatoid factor" can be found. However, this anti-body can also be found in other conditions, so its presence, as well as abnormal readings on tests, does not point exclusively to rheumatoid arthritis.

In early stages of the disease, X-rays may not show any joint damage, or show only minor swelling. In the second stage, evidence of bone thinning with or without slight bone damage may be seen on an X-ray. Slight cartilage damage may be seen, joint mobility may be decreased but no joint deformities are present, surrounding muscle may be atrophied and soft tissue around the joint may show signs of abnormality.

Typically in the third stage, an X-ray will show signs of bone thinning and damage to bone and cartilage around the joint. Also likely present will be some joint deformity without permanent stiffness of the joint, extensive muscle atrophy and abnormalities in the tissue surrounding the joint.

Stage four rheumatoid arthritis characteristics include joint deformity with permanent fixation of the joint, extensive muscle atrophy and abnormalities in the soft tissue around the joint. X-rays will show evidence of cartilage and bone damage, as well as osteoporosis.

Those with class I rheumatoid arthritis are able to complete normal activities of their day, while those in class II will be able to care for themselves and perform most work activities, though their activities in such areas as sports and household chores will be limited. Those in class III will still be able to care for themselves, but their activities in and out of work will be limited. Class IV patients will be limited in their abilities to care for themselves, work and engage in other activities.

Research into benefits of fish oil

In the last decade or so, several studies have been conducted to determine the possible benefits on rheumatoid arthritis patients of increasing omega-3 fatty acids into one's diet, usually through increased consumption of oily fishes like salmon, mackerel and herring. While we've all been conditioned in the last several years to cut out fat in our diet, omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on the body.

In fact, it was reported in August of this year in the "Evening Courier" of Halifax that Greenland Inuits have low incidences of heart disease despite having a diet high in fat. However, much of their high-fat diet comes from marine mammals, which are high in omega-3s. Scientists who study diet and diseases have found that heart disease, cancer and diabetes are nearly non-existent among Eskimo populations.

While Eskimo and Inuit diets consist largely of fat from marine animals, many Western diets contain fat from vegetable oil coming from fast food and store bought baked goods.

Fish oil has also been found to be the best source of two particular fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have been found to reduce inflammation, reduce the clotting tendency of blood, improve brain function, improve heart health and inhibit abnormal cell growth, which could help reduce cancer risks.

Fish oil's effect as an anti-inflammatory agent is of particular interest to rheumatoid arthritis patients, since the disease results from the inflammation of the lining of the joints.

A 1993 study gave rheumatoid arthritis patients 2.8 grams of fish oil daily compared to a placebo given to others. After three months, those receiving the fish oil supplementation showed decreased use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) compared to those given the placebo, and after 12 months that reduction peaked.

Another study in 1995 showed 130 milligrams of fish oil supplements per kilogram of the person's weight per day could decrease the number of tender joints, the duration of morning stiffness and overall pain experienced by rheumatoid arthritis patients.

It has also been shown that the amount of omega-3 fatty acids added can be lowered if combined with a decreased amount of omega-6 fats, which is found in many vegetable oils and actually promotes inflammation. Some research suggests increased levels of omega-6 can heighten the possibility of some diseases and depression. Many Western diets have ratios of omega-6 compared to omega-3 of 10 to 1, though some can be as high as 30 to 1. The ration should be 1 to 1.

A 2000 study showed that lower doses of omega-3 supplements could lessen inflammation from arthritis if paired with a reduction in the amount of omega-6s ingested. The amount of omega-3 found to still be effective was lowered to 2.3 grams if small amounts of omega-6 were included in the patient's diet.

Use of both steroid and non-steroid medication to reduce symptoms in patients with severe arthritis was found in 2003 to be lowered if omega-3s were added to the diet and omega-6s reduced. Again, using less of the medications means less risk of their side effects.

In Leuven, Belgium, patients were divided into three groups: one group received six tablets of olive oil a day as the placebo group; the second received three tablets of olive oil and three tablets of fish oil per day; and the last group received six tablets of fish oil each day.

After three months, the placebo group showed very little improvement (about 10 percent showed some signs of being better), while 33 percent in the group receiving split treatment showed improvement. However, 53 percent of patients receiving fish oil alone showed significant signs of improvement and 47 percent of this group was able to reduce its use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. In the placebo group, only 15 percent lowered their use of the non-steroid anti-inflammatories and 29 percent were able to do so in the split group.

The Belgium scientists concluded long-time use of fish oils can improve the effects of rheumatoid arthritis significantly and can also decrease the use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs.

A similar study at the University of Newcastle in Australia seems to back this conclusion. In that study, 50 patients who had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis were studied for 15 weeks. All the patients had a diet in which they consumed less than 10 grams per day of omega-6 fatty acids. Half the patients were given a placebo consisting of a 50-50 mixture of corn and olive oil, while the other group was given fish oil capsules providing a daily intake of about 2.8 grams for an average sized person.

All the subjects continued their regular diets and medications. Tests were taken initially and then at 4, 8 and 15 weeks. After the four-week and eight-week periods, no significant changes occurred in either group. However, at the 15-week period, significant changes were found in the group receiving fish oil, while no improvement was seen in the group not receiving fish oil. In addition, the group receiving fish oil also reported vast improvements in the duration of morning stiffness and physicians reported an overall improvement in the condition of the disease.

The October 2006 edition of the Journal of Rheumatology reported on a study which found 75 percent of patients using fish oil were able to reduce the amount of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs they took after a three-year period. Remission of the disease also occurred in 72 percent of patients taking the fish oil.

Fish oil supplements

It appears there is a benefit to rheumatoid arthritis patients of increasing their intake of omega-3 fatty acids through fish oils, especially if omega-6 fatty acids absorbed through vegetable oils can be reduced.

Of course, a healthy diet is important for anyone, not just those afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, and eating fish could be a part of that healthy diet. However, to achieve the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids at the levels seen in some of the studies above, you'd have to eat a good amount of fish on a regular basis.

Remember, those Eskimos and Inuits who rarely experience heart disease or cancer in their populations eat mainly marine mammals as part of their diet. Some people just don't care for the taste of fish as much as Eskimos do.

The highest concentrations of omega-3s can be found in mackerel, salmon, tuna, bluefish, sturgeon, anchovy, herring, trout, sardines and mullet. However, since these types of fish are higher on the food chain, often eating other smaller fish (that's why they have the increased amounts of omega-3s, because they have their own as well absorbing it from the fish they eat), they may also contain higher doses of some toxic contaminants, such as mercury, dioxin and PCBs.

Pharmaceutical Grade fish oil supplements, however, allow companies to provide the benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil while eliminating the possibility of also ingesting toxic contaminants. Also, the dose is regulated so the patient knows how much they are taking. Tablets can come in gel form and taking one to two tablets per day should provide the benefits sought, though it can also be found in liquid form.

Side effects

There have been no serious side effects reported from increased or prolonged ingestion of fish oil or fish oil supplements.

There are some mild adverse reactions that have been reported from time to time. Nausea, diarrhea and flatulence are common reactions, as well as experiencing a "fishy" burp. However, the Mayo Clinic has several recommendations to avoid this reaction, including swallowing the pill while frozen, which slows down its digestion in the stomach. Other tips include taking the pill at the beginning of a meal so the other food "traps" the fish oil in the stomach and acts as a buffer, switching brands or using an odorless tablet.

Other potential adverse reactions documented include halitosis, fishy smelling breath, skin and urine and occasional nosebleeds due to the anti-clotting agent of omega-3s. Pregnant women are advised to consult first with their physican before starting fish oil supplements as there may be complications with the Vitamin A found in fish oil. An increased level of Vitamin E intake is also recommended because the metabolism of fish oil uses large amounts of the vitamin, which is a powerful antioxidant. Some pharmaceutical grade supplements already add in Vitamin E with the fish oil to balance out this issue.

While not a side effect, it should be noted it takes time for an increase in omega-3s to achieve the goal of reducing inflammation in the joint. Most of the studies mentioned above saw no major results before at least three months.

Why you should choose fish oil supplements

Surgery options for rheumatoid arthritis patients include joint replacement, tendon reconstruction and a procedure to remove the inflamed lining. There are also medications that can relieve pain or reduce inflammation. However, these can be very expensive and may come with extensive side effects, such as chronic infections like tuberculosis as well as the others discussed previously.

It comes as no surprise then that patients are always looking for a better alternative. Pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplements may be that alternative. They are cheaper, have almost no side effects and provide most of the same benefits over a period of time. They can be purchased online or at just about any store that sells supplements.

What Therapeutic Treatments Help Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a general term denoting disturbances in the normal functioning of the peripheral nerves. The causes of neuropathy are varied and so is the treatment. Many a times, the neuropathy is almost irreversible and the treatment is mainly focused on preventing further progression of the nerve damage and other supportive measures to prevent any complications due to neuropathy.

Neuropathies due to nutritional deficiencies are mainly treated with the replenishment of the deficient nutrient. Neuropathies due to deficiency of vitamins like cobalamin, thiamine, pyridoxine, niacin are treated by giving the vitamin supplementation orally or by intramuscular injection of the vitamin if deficiency is due to defective absorption of vitamins from the diet. Treatment may or may not completely reverse the neuropathy and alleviate the symptoms and in many cases there is some permanent damage to nerves and persistent symptoms despite therapy. Recently neuropathy due to copper deficiency has also been discovered. It too is treated with oral copper salts or intravenous injection of copper salts. Again the response is variable and may take many months.

Entrapment neuropathies like carpal tunnel syndrome, radial neuropathy, meralgia paraesthetica, etc are treated based on specific cause and the nerve involved. Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment varies from medical approaches like NSAID (like Ibuprofen), local injection of steroids in wrist, and avoiding aggravating factors like typing in wrong positions, use of hand tools etc. If symptoms not alleviated by this approach, then surgery is also an option and is most often curative if no permanent damage to nerve has already occurred. Again, each neuropathy is unique and treatment is variable.

The treatment of neuropathies secondary to other diseases is the treatment of the primary disease causing the neuropathy. If neuropathy is due to Myxedema, caused by lack of thyroid hormone, then treatment is replacing the thyroid hormone. Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy is mainly supportive. In diabetic neuropathies, some forms like Mononeuropathies are reversible but most are irreversible. Strict control of blood glucose levels to slow the further progression is of paramount importance. Other treatment is based on the symptoms, like pain is managed with NSAID and many other drugs. Similarly the neuropathy associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis often responds to the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis (with immunomodulators).

Treatment of neuropathy due to food allergy is avoiding the allergen food item causing neuropathy. Neuropathy may also be due to toxic effect of certain drugs like Chloroquine, Phenytoin, anti-Cancer drugs and numerous others. Treatment in this case is mainly discontinuation of the drug or dose reduction. There may be some specific treatment in certain cases, like neuropathy due to isoniazid can usually be prevented by giving pyridoxine along with it.

Rheumatism and Arthritis - What's the Difference?

Rheumatism and arthritis are two bone and muscle diseases that people refer to almost interchangeably. Generally speaking, most people do not really see the difference. After all, both diseases manifest the same symptoms of recurring pain in joints and muscles. While both conditions can sometimes be unbearably painful and afflict older men and women, they are in fact different.

Rheumatism does not refer to a single disease or condition, but to over a 100 conditions based on the location and characteristics of the symptoms. For many years, rheumatism was the generic term used to describe various painful medical conditions related to bones, muscles, joints and tendons, until doctors began to use the term arthritis to describe joint-related ailments.

By definition, arthritis is a disease of the bone joints, where two or more bones come together and connect. When joints begin to show signs of redness, tenderness, and sensitivity to pain, then you are likely to be experiencing arthritis. Rheumatism, on the other hand, affects not just joints, but also bones, ligaments and other vital organs of the body, including heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. In this context, all arthritis types are forms of rheumatism, while rheumatism is not always arthritis.

The cure and treatment for different types of arthritis or rheumatism depends on certain conditions. Doctors underscore the need for specific treatment for specific cases of arthritis and rheumatism. After all, the different types of arthritis and rheumatism are triggered by many factors, including food, allergens, genetics, and obesity. Among the most common types of rheumatic diseases are ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, polymyalgia rheumatica, bursitis, tendinitis, vasculitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome.

On the other hand, the most common cases of arthritis, an ailment characterized by joint related pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage, are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, infectious arthritis, gout and pseudogout. Just like rheumatism, each type of arthritis requires a separate and distinct treatment. Despite these distinctions, people continue to use the terms interchangeably. Such a lack of knowledge has potentially painful, if not dangerous, consequences for arthritic and rheumatic sufferers, whose best chances to stop the progression of both diseases are when they are just starting to manifest the painful symptoms.

Arthritis and rheumatism inflict the most pain on people who fail to recognize the cause of their affliction and, therefore, are unable to immediately follow the doctor's advice to control both diseases through a balanced, low-uric acid and high-fiber diet, regular exercise, and medication.

Hidden Health Problems For Gout Sufferers

Gout is well known for its effect on the joints. In particular the big toe joint is commonly the first affected area, but of course gout pain can be present in other joints including the wrists, elbows, fingers, knees and ankles. But often overlooked are the other potential health issues associated with gout pain, which can include reduced cardio-vascular health, unhealthy weight, and even depression.

There are two reasons why these health problems may also be occurring in the gout patient.

1) Gout is often the result of underlying poor health

Scientists have shown that there is a correlation between body weight and serum urate concentration, and some studies have indicated that in fact body weight is the most important determinant of the serum urate concentration. In plain English - the fatter you are the higher the concentration of urate in the body and the higher the likelihood of having issues with gout pain.

While uric acid and foods containing purines are often blamed for gout directly, the gout itself is more likely to be the manifestation of a whole lot of other underlying health issues that need to be corrected in the first place.

2) Ongoing joint issues directly impact on your ability to stay healthy

In some cases gout can become much more a part of your daily life than just the occasional attack now and then. Once the uric acid levels build up in the joints, ongoing pain and stiffness will become more and more problematic. This may not even be showing the symptoms of a standard "gout attack" but rather it can just present as ongoing nagging pain with the occasional flare-up.

If the joints affected are the weight-bearing joints (hips, knees, ankles, toes) then the gout sufferer's ability to move freely is compromised. Any time these joints are in pain, it becomes a significant effort to do things that should be simple. Such as walking, or playing with your children, or doing your favorite form of exercise.

So you are in a bind. Your health is not the best (otherwise the chances are that you wouldn't have gout in the first place), and your ability to exercise in order to improve your health is severely diminished or curtailed. You can finish up in an endless spiral where you can't exercise to improve your health, which leads to worsening issues with the gout pain, which lessens your ability to exercise... and so on and so on.

Eventually for some people this can lead to increased lethargy, and perhaps even giving up on every being 100% again. Depression can also become a factor, when there is no end in sight.
The best solution...

Many people with gout will only worry about it when they are actually having a gout attack. However the problem is much bigger than dealing with the occasional sore foot!

The only way to solve the problem is to break the gout cycle. If you are just experiencing the occasional gout problem and just living with it... be very wary. You may not realize it yet, but you are probably entering the cycle and well on your way to some pretty serious problems. If you are already in the grip of the cycle, you have to do something about it now. If exercise is out then change one of the other factors. Improve your diet, cut back on alcohol, something, anything to reverse the trend.

The best solution - the only solution - to your gout problems is to look after your overall health. Get that right, and your issues with gout will naturally diminish. Eat the right foods, avoid the wrong foods, lose the excess weight (the chief determinant of the serum urate concentration), exercise more often, and kiss the gout goodbye!

Animal Foods And Human Health

In as much as the animal foodstuffs which include meat, fish, eggs, milk and its preparations could be easy reservoirs for microorganisms which could cause infection, they could serve as very good food supplements not just for consumption but as well prophylaxis and treatment therapy to some medical ailments. Since, infection could be avoided by proper processing of the animal food; we then have a good choice in consuming the animal foods for good living. This piece of information will place more emphasis on Fish, Meat and Egg as we get to see their medical importance.

Meat

It consists of muscle fibers held together by connective tissues. The fibers of Meat contain muscle plasma of muscle juice. It contains 1-2% salts which are chiefly chlorides and phosphates of potash. The proteins of meat which are present to the tune of about 17-20% are myosin, muscle- albumin and hemoglobin. Fat (10-20%) is often embedded in the connective tissues of meat.

Bronchial lymphatic glands should be examined for evidence of tuberculosis. If the animal has suffered from jaundice, the flesh will have a yellow tinge. The flesh of animals killed by accident, lightening or those who happen to be suffering from diseases like anthrax, rabies, glanders, general Tuberculosis and so on, should be condemned. The diseased meat should be condemned and prevented from sending into the Market. The chief diseases of animals are:

Tuberculosis. It is practically common in Cattle and Pigs in the European Countries. It is rare in Sheep, goats and other Cattle in India. It is always present in lymphatic glands of the diseased animals. Muscles practically never get affected and it is extremely doubtful if eating meat, so affected, spreads tuberculosis. In tubercular animals when disease is generalized, the whole Carcass should be condemned as unfit for Human, consumption since that meat happens to be poor in quality and unwholesome even though it may not convey tuberculosis to consumers.

Cysticercus. This is the embryos of tapeworms living in the muscles of animals, especially oxen and pigs, where they produce little grayish bladders or vesicles called cysts. In these tiny cysts are contained the hearts of tapeworms and when anybody happens to eat such a meat these cysts break into his stomach and let loose the heads which pass through the Intestines, get fixed to the intestinal wall and ultimately grow into grown tapeworms which may be several meters long. If meat is properly cooked, the tiny embryos are killed due to heat and in that case, they may not do much harm. All such infected meats should be condemned.

Trichinella Spiralis. It reaches man on account of eating insufficiently cooked flesh of a pig having worms in encysted form. In pork and ram, those may be seen as white spots, large enough to be visible to the naked eye. The Adult worm lives in crypts in mucosa of small intestines. It gives rise to embryos which enter circulation and are carried into the musculature of host, where they encyst. The muscles most often affected are those of the diaphragm, larynx, tongue and abdomen. Encysted larvae remain alive for years. When these cysts are found in the slaughtered animals, the whole carcass should be condemned. Serious illness may result from Trichinosis, whole symptoms are pain, nausea, rapid pulse, fever, irregularity of bowels and death occurring due to peritonitis.

Actinomycosis or Ray fungus. In this case, infectious agent is actinomyces Isrealii or A bovis. It is now recognized as parasite, which occurs in the meat of oxen. It may affect other cattle especially calves, pigs, horses and sheep. It occurs particularly in wet weather. The tongue, jaws and lungs are commonly affected. The post- mortem appearances closely resemble tuberculosis. In this case only the affected parts are condemned.

Distomum Hepaticum of Liver Flukes. They resemble flat fish, each of them being 2-4cm long and 1cm wide. They are brownish in color and are found covered with little bristles. They are very common in sheep in India. The parasites are found in the liver, bile ducts and give rise to a disease called the rot. As cooking always kills the flukes, only a few cases of disease from this parasite are known to occur in man.

Fish

It is easily digested. It has a high nutritive value, though not so stimulating as meat, but generally it is less rich in fats and contains more calcium than ordinary meat. It has all the vitamins except vitamin C. Fish liver is a rich source of Vitamin A and D. Sea fish is a rich source of Iodine. There are two kinds of fish; Lean fish. It consists of small fibers and contains fat below 2%. It is easily digested. Another is the Fat fish, which consists of medium or large fibers with fat content of 2.5% or more. It is somewhat difficult to digest.

Medical usage of Fish

Some fish extracts have been discovered to be very useful in either prophylaxis or treatment of some medical conditions.

1. Cod Oil Is one of the extracts of Fish which contains high levels of Vitamin D and used for the treatment of Osteoarthritis.
2. Fish Oil contains Vitamin A and hence used for the treatment of night blindness (eyes), skin and used for normal growth of a child.
3. Fish oil also contains omega-3 fatty acids which helps in cases of high blood pressure and strong scientific evidence from Human trials show that Omega-3 fatty acid significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels and inflammation.
4. Epidemiology studies show the association of Fish oil with reduced death rates of heart diseases, improved blood vessel functioning and decreased resting heart rate.
5. Research has indicated the great importance of Fish Oil supplementation from the twenty second week of pregnancy until delivery improves the living condition of fetus and the mother.
6. The Fish Oil also helps in Organ transplants. Immunity of Host body of transplanted Organ less readily rejects the transplanted organ when it is taken regularly.
7. It is highly recommended for rheumatoid arthritis.

Egg

Eggs contain cholesterol. And high cholesterol levels in our blood increases our risks of heart disease. However, the cholesterol we get from our food and this includes eggs, have less effect on the amount of cholesterol in our blood than the amount of saturated fat we eat. So, if you are eating a balanced diet, you only need to cut down on eggs if you have been told to do so by your dietitian or doctor. But if you are told to watch your cholesterol level alone, your priority should be cutting down on saturated fats.

An egg weighs approximately 56.7g. It consists of 10% Outer covering or shell, 60% white and 30% yolk. It is a food containing all the approximate principles of food, except Carbohydrates. It is necessary for the growth and development of the body. It is a protective food containing first class proteins with all the essential amino acids and had the highest nutritive value among dietary proteins. In view of the presence of sulfur in the white of egg, they are considered as acid forming foods and resemble meat in this respect.

The shell consists of carbonate of lime, the white is made up wholly of proteins, the chief being egg, albumin and the yolk contains less proteins and a large amount of fat. Besides, it contains lecithin, vitamin and the organic compounds of phosphorus, lime, and Iron. It is rich in calcium salts, and vitamins. Yolk of egg is a valuable food for anemic patients, since it contains Iron which is very easily digested in the body. And since the fat present in the yolk of eggs is in emulsified form, just like Milk, it is easily digested and is almost completely absorbed in the Intestines; only 3% residue is left.

Freshness of eggs can be tested by;

Holding in the hand in front of a candle in the dark. Fresh ones being more transparent in the center and stale ones are transparent at their extremities. This process of testing the eggs is known as candling.
By putting them in 10% salt solution; fresh eggs will sink, whereas stale ones will float.

There is no recommended limit on how many eggs people should eat. Eggs are a good choice as part of a healthy balanced diet. But remember that it is a good idea to eat as varied a diet as possible. This means we should be trying to eat a variety of foods each week to get the wide range of nutrients we need. Eggs are a good source of; protein, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B2 and Iodine.

Eggs can make a really healthy meal. Why not try one of these for your breakfast, lunch or evening meal.

Spanish omelets with chinks of cooked potatoes (you could use leftover potatoes from last night's dinner) and onions served with steamed vegetable or a salad. All sorts of vegetable will work in the omelets- sweet potatoes, peppers, spring onions and mushrooms are all good choices.

Poached egg and baked beans (choose reduced salt and sugar versions. If you can) served on thick sliced toast makes a great bunch- you could serve it with grilled tomatoes or mushrooms.

Scrambled eggs on thick slices of brown toast, add some spring onions or mushrooms and serve with grilled tomatoes.

Boiled eggs chopped into a summer salad. If you include salad leaves, new potatoes, green beans, red onion, olives, boiled egg and some tuna. But remember that quiches and flans often contain cream and cheese, and sometimes bacon too. All of which add to the saturated fat and salt content. If you are making your own quiche or flan, go easy on the cream and cheese. If you use a strong flavored cheese you will only need to use a small amount. And some vegetables such as broccoli, peppers and tomatoes. Fried eggs are higher in fat than boiled, poached occasionally. If you do want a fried egg, use oil that is high in unsaturated fat such as sunflower oil. It's a good idea to drain off as much of the Oil as you can and it will also help to put the egg on some kitchen paper before putting it on your plate.

Some research have been done on the Quail egg and there are very positive developments about this egg. Here are lists of the medical importance of the Quail egg;

Continuous maintenance of the healthy body and supporting the efforts for athletes.
Enhancement of the immune system stimulates normal growth and regulates weight disturbance.
Neural cell protection, improves memory and intelligence coefficient.
Regulates gastric acidity and digestion in Lungs.
Enhances heart functioning, recovery after stress, exhaustion after surgical interventions, radiotherapy, and in cases of burns.

In view of the following aforementioned uses, the Quail Egg is very good for the following clinical ailments;

Sexual impotence, bronchi asthma, Tuberculosis, high level of cholesterol in blood, allergies, eczema, spasmophilia, migraines, neural asthenia, treatment of Kidney, treatment of Liver and Ophthalmologic.

Usage in rational nourishment (Meat)

1. Meat is source of protein of full value. Biological value and assimilation of meat depends on the kind, age and feeding of farm animals and poultry fowls and also on the content of fat and connective tissues. The less connective tissue, the better the assimilation of Meat (80-90%).
2. Source of Vitamin- thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), Pantothenic acid and choline.
3. Source of main elements- Iron, copper, zinc, consuming of 200g of meat covers 20-25% of Iron daily, 40-45% of Zinc and 35-40% of copper.
4. Sausages and sausage products have less biological value than natural meat owing to structural destruction of protein, great content of full Lipid acid and destruction of Vitamins.

Usage in treatment and prophylactic nourishment

1. Owing to great content in meat of Nitrogen containing (amino acids, purine) and other contents (glycogen, glucose and lactic acid). Meat serve as a substance of strong bouillon used for intensity of appetite and stimulation of gastric secretion in patients with acute infectious diseases (pneumonia, influenza), chronic diseases (tuberculosis, alimentary cachexia) and in patients with period of recovering. Particularly useful in strong chicken bouillon.
2. Natural Meat products, especially fried or stewed, are not used in feeding of patients with Ulcer disease of stomach, gastritis with increased secretion, hepatitis, cirrhosis and Inflammation of the pancreas.
3. For prophylaxis of arteriosclerosis. Hyper-tonic crisis in Liver diseases, diseases of Pancreas, and accumulation of fatty tissues; we must recommend to use meat products which contain small number of Cholesterol and full Lipid acids (real rabbit meat, meat of chicken without skin).
4. In Podagra, we must make smaller protein value in ration, exclude from ration sources of purine (sub products) and eat meat with low content of purine.
5. In hypo-chromic anemia, we must include into ration dishes which contain meat and blood.
6. Connective tissues of meat are stimulants of motility of intestinal tract and promote secretion of exogenous chemical substances (collagen).

As much as we enjoy eating the animal foodstuffs, it is also important to know that you need not be a Medical practitioner or nutritionist to know their medical benefits. Do not let familiarity carry you away, what you see and squander in front of your dinning table could serve more and better purposes.

Curing Rheumatoid Arthritis - Simple Ways That Work

RA is one of the most common types of arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the joint characterized by joint pains and stiffness which get more severe as one gets older.

There are several ways in which to treat arthritis ranging from natural healing techniques to use of biological drugs. Both have shown relative success in treating the symptoms of arthritis.

Nonetheless, it is important for one to understand the habits that influence inflammatory processes that result in arthritis.

It is one of the autoimmune diseases that can occur at any age and is very challenging for the human body system to naturally handle.

The symptoms can sometimes be very debilitating and it important to talk to a qualified medical professional before starting a new treatment plan.

Natural Cures for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs primarily as a result of antibodies within the body attacking the body itself. It is not a simple disease and even when you choose to work with the natural methods it is still important to consult with a specialist on what you need to do.

Combination of hot and cold presses to reduce pain in muscle joint is one of the natural methods that can be used to cure rheumatoid arthritis. Most people with arthritis suffer swallow and pain in muscle joints.

To reduce the pain one can use a combination of cold and hot compresses for about 15 minutes each. Use ice cold water for 15 minutes then hot water for another 15 minutes and the pain will be reduced.

Acupuncture, Exercise and Diet plan

Acupuncture is a great natural choice in curing rheumatoid arthritis. This traditional Chinese method helps in boosting the immune system; with an excellent immune system the body gets the power to fight off the disease.

Doing proper exercises and having a good diet can also help reduce pain associated with RA. It is recommended that you consult your physician on what kind exercises and diet plan can help in improving the condition.

Drugs Used to Cure Rheumatoid Arthritis

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also known as NSAIDs are used in arthritis treatment strictly for pain relief and to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are also used to manage short term flare ups in reducing pain and inflammation.

They also help prevent joint damage. It is a rapid relief drug which is usually given to NSAID patients when NSAID is ineffective.

It is also one of the most effective treatments that were originally designed for illnesses such as cancer, though used in much less amounts to cure arthritis.

Biologics are the emerging new rheumatoid treatment. They are used when all medication cannot deliver relief. It is developed from human gene protein and works by inhibiting immune response to inflammation.

Focus on Body Immunity

In curing rheumatoid arthritis, there is one most important thing to focus on; building body immunity.

If the body immunity is weak then it becomes almost impossible to cure rheumatoid arthritis. It is advisable to build body immunity even as you try other treatments.

The Shocking Arthritis Statistics in America Today

According to the U.S. Government survey on arthritis statistics, one out of every four adults in America will have arthritis by 2030. Right now there are 46 million people that suffer from the disease and because our population is constantly aging, this is why there will be 67 million affected twenty one years from now.
These are quite shocking statistics but it goes further...

According to the Arthritis Foundation in 2007:

2/3rd of people who have been diagnosed with the disease are under 65.
As long ago as 2003 9,500 Americans DIED because of arthritis.
People with rheumatoid arthritis (also referred to as rheumatism) die up to 10 years earlier than those who do not have the disease.
Almost 19 million Americans have to stop working within 10 years of being diagnosed.
A shocking 294,000 children have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis.
The cost of all this is $128 billion per year.

So what can we do if we are diagnosed with arthritis?

I think first of all, don't panic. Although arthritis cannot be cured at this time, there are many, many ways to alleviate pain and muscle swelling. You doctor can advise you which medication is best for you. Unfortunately almost all drugs have side effect, especially if they are used consistently over a long period of time. In fact, many doctors then prescribe another drug to help with the side effects of the arthritis drugs. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs are most commonly prescribed.

However, there are also many natural remedies that can help and in fact many people turn to these. Glucosamine and MSN supplements are readily available and help to rebuild the worn-down cartilage. Remedies like honey and apple cider vinegar help with pain relief. A visit to your local health food store can be quite an eye opener as to what products there are for this condition.

Diet is also a consideration as many foods tend to trigger arthritis pain, such as tomatoes. Acid forming drinks like coffee and sodas should be avoided. You can find out more by doing research online.
If you are overweight, this can cause extra complications as the extra weight can negatively affect your joints and bodily movement in general. If you lose pounds, you help alleviate arthritis pain as well as the condition generally. This is even more important as exercise can be daunting when you have arthritis because it's hard to do as your joints are compromised. Therefore walking, climbing stairs, stooping or bending are often difficult.

In fact, arthritis is the number one cause of disability, so it's important to do what you can to help move those joints in a gentle way.

Although these arthritis statistics are horrifying, the truth is that much can be done to help people who have been diagnosed with the disease.

Beware of Fast Food Veggie Burgers

While I applaud the efforts of the fast food industry in attempting to provide vegetarian and more healthful alternatives to the crap they already sell on a daily basis, I have to point out shortcomings and defects in their attempts to provide vegetarian and healthy alternatives that sabotage or defeat the whole purpose of attempting to provide healthier and meat-less (vegetarian) products.

Is health or the wellbeing of the American people the main objective in selling vegetarian products or is it financial gain? Unfortunately for all the people who want to believe the fast food industry is coming around and becoming more health conscious, the fast food industry's objective in selling vegetarian items such as the veggie burger is strictly commercial, at least right now or presently.

Why? Because until the vegetarian items are completely lacking animal byproducts, the promoting and selling of vegetarian items is to deceive fast food consumers into believing that they have a choice in eating meatless or healthier items and products, which just isn't true

.
Take McDonald's, Burger King, and the Habit for example. They all sell a veggie burger. But that veggie burger patty (if the patty itself is not entirely vegetable based) is cooked in ANIMAL LARD number one, and number two, cooked on the same grill that meat (DEAD ANIMAL FLESH) is cooked on.

All meat contains parasites and worms, and the ugliest ones that you could ever see with the human eyes. I know this personally as I have done the personal research (and have been presented research from Doctah B, Bro. Tarik, and others in the Los Angeles area) and have the nauseating photographs to show you. TOTALLY GROSS!

Some people thought they were avoiding animal byproducts by only eating French fries from the fast food restaurant, not knowing that most fast food restaurants such as McDonald's were cooking their fries in vegetable oil mixed with beef juice. That's right! McDonald's add beef juice to its cooking oil for flavor, in addition to spraying the fires with a sugar solution, freezing them and shipping them off to McDonald's franchises, and after cooking the sugar sprayed fries in beef juice (oil), sodium chloride (salt) is added and you have one of the most addictive products in America - McDonald's French fries!

Take Subway for example, a place I used to eat at often in my early vegan days and while I was in the Corporate world. I had my places to eat at and menus to choose from. However, eating out was the exception to the rule and not the rule, as I normally prepared my own lunch. But Subway was right across the street from my place of employment and the food was much lighter than the stuff sold at the more general fast food establishments.

However, as I became more spiritual and health conscious, it started to bother me eating at establishments that served vegetarian products alongside with meat or flesh products. I used to order the Veggie Max sub sandwich from Subway. But the soy based Veggie Max patty was in a container or bin next to bacon (pig's back end). This was not a far distance for the microscopic parasites and worms to crawl from the bacon bin to the veggie patty bin. Also, the veggie patty was cut in two with the same knife used to cut meat with. You see, it really doesn't matter if you're health conscious or vegan or vegetarian and the person preparing your food (or product) is not. To the fast food employee, they're just preparing another product totally oblivious to strict food sanitary preparation ethics and principles.

Another thing to point out about the Subway Veggie Max sub or sandwich is that it was (1) cooked (actually, RADIATED) in a microwave oven, (2) cooked or radiated in the same microwave oven as meat or flesh products (pork worms can't be killed in heat because of a heat-resistant shell that forms around the worm in very high temperatures, and the only substance that can penetrate or break open that shell is the hydrochloric acid of the human body).

One day while out on the town with my children here in Glendale, California, my daughter wanted some noodles or Chow Mein and I think some vegetable-fried rice or egg rolls from Panda Express, I really can't remember exactly the items, but I do remember asking the Panda Express employee to prepare an exclusively vegetarian plate - NO MEAT OR MEAT-BYPRODUCTS WHATSOEVER, i.e. vegetable-fried rice, Chow Mein, steamed vegetables, and to my utter shock, the employee honestly told me that NOTHING at Panda Express was vegetarian. Absolutely nothing! I said, "Even the vegetable-fried rice, noodles, and steamed vegetables?" He said "That's right, Sir!" With a discombobulated look on my face, the employee then told me that Panda Express pours chicken juice on all of its items. So now I'm thinking about the time when time compelled me to get something on the go and I got what I thought was completely vegetarian from Panda Express.

And of course, I've heard similar accounts from my good Vegan comrades as well. So if you want to know a thing, ask. And by all means, don't presume.

If you think those vegetarian corn dogs at Hot Dog On-A-Stick are vegetarian, think again! They contain egg whites (in the bread batter).

I also used to eat the vegetarian burritos at Baha Fresh Mexican Grill. I started getting headaches. Why? White flour tortillas cooked on the same grill as the slaughtered flesh (meat). So what did I do to cure the problem? I Left those burritos alone and I have been fine ever since.

I remember my early vegan days of 1997 and 1998 and thinking I was not eating any animal parts or byproducts whatsoever only to discover that those black beans I was eating from El Pollo Loco contained chunks of chicken. One day while eating these black beans, I noticed a strange substance in them. When I picked the substance up and closely analyzed it, I was disgusted to be holding a piece of chicken in my hand. Boy did I feel nauseated at this revelation and discovery. I had to let those beans go no matter how good they tasted. I refuse to let taste disillusion me into a state of poor health and into an early grave.

Vegetarian does not mean vegan! Vegan means "completely animal free, including dairy products and eggs," whereas vegetarian means "meat-free but not dairy/eggs-free." A vegetarian burrito at a fast food restaurant may contain cheese and sour cream (congealed cow snot or mucus). Some veggie burger patties may also contain cheese. Cheese is from an animal so how can it be animal free? While many health conscious folks and would be vegans enjoy Boca Burgers, some brands contain egg whites and cheese, so start reading the ingredient list on the box.

So although McDonald's now has a veggie burger, just know that its veggie burger is cooked in beef oil, in addition to the fact that the veggie burger is centered between two white, refined grain buns, conventionally grown iceberg lettuce (the worst lettuce to eat and the most nutritionally deficient plant to eat) and genetically engineered tomatoes (if you want lettuce and tomatoes on your veggie burger). The same thing can be said of Burger King and the Habit's veggie burgers.

However, if you're on the road or out and about in society and must make a choice to eat something that is not so insalubrious, it would be a good idea to experience around with a major fast food chain's veggie burger rather than give in to the traditional crap that has been served over the years and that you always bought and ate. However, it is better (and wiser) to seek out vegan restaurants before you actually hit the town (if you're a health conscious individual or vegan).

I know how difficult it is to be vegan (at first) and to not have vegan eateries so easily and readily accessible, especially if you live in a small town. I'm thankful that the Greater Los Angeles area and Southern California in general is loaded with vegan spots around town to get something wholesome and nutritious to eat. The same is true for other big cities around the nation such as New York City, Atlanta, San Diego, San Francisco-Oakland Bay area, etc.

If you're having trouble locating vegan eateries around the nation, contact Friends of Animals at bill@friendsofanimals.org or (203)656-1522 for a possible listing of vegan restaurants.

If you're in the Greater Los Angeles area, you may contact us at http://www.DHERBS.com for a listing of vegan (and vegetarian) restaurants.

Eating healthy is a journey, discipline, and lifestyle and does not come without challenges in the early stages. However, as you become more health conscious, you'll discover more healthy places to eat at while out on the town.

Thank you for reading! PEACE, LOVE and LIGHT!

This article was compliments of www.dherbs.com and Djehuty Ma'at-Ra, The People's Herbalist