Juvenile Arthritis: A Simple Solution Hiding In Plain Sight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arthritic Triggers in the Chemical World

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

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

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

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

Food to Eat for Gout - The Gout Diet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arthritis - Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

o Caffeine

o Red Meat

o Dairy products

o Processed foods

o Sugar

o Salt

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

o Preservatives and additives

o Chocolate

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

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

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

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

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

Information On Rheumatoid Arthritis, And What To Do With It

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

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

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

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

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

Anti Gout Diet to Beat Gout Fast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Arthritis Pain Relief - The Diet That Worked For Me

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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