Arthritis: Part 3 – Supplements

As a Registered Nutritionist, I have seen dozens of clients who live constantly with Joint Pain and Arthritis. When I look at their daily diet journal, they are often eating too many of the foods that will aggravate the problem and not enough of the foods that will help alleviate the problem. In part 1 of this 2 part lens on Arthritis, I will give some suggestions on the best supplements to incorporate into your diet to help reduce your daily pain.

FISH OIL: Contains a direct source of omega 3 fatty acids that reduce joint inflammation and promote joint lubrication. (It is better than flax oil – but this is an option for vegetarians). Make sure that the fish oil is molecularly distilled to remove any heavy metals, such as mercury, from the oil. This process makes it more expensive but it is worth it because heavy metals get stored in the brain and liver and can lead to other health problems. Recent research indicates that many Alzheimer’s patients have mercury deposits in the memory section of the brain. Take at least 1.8mg of DHA and 1.2mg of EPA daily

GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE: This is a remedy specific to Osteoarthritis only. It helps to reduce joint pain and rebuild cartilage. Take 1,500mg daily

METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE (MSM): Has natural anti-inflammatory properties and contains the mineral sulfur which is a component of cartilage.

HIGH-QUALITY MULTI-VITAMIN: You get what you pay for. Drug-store variety vitamins are usually very look quality, use sub-optimal ingredients, cannot be assimilated properly in the body and can sometimes cause more harm than good. Take the time to research the best supplements you can afford and use those. You can visit my website www.myhealthybalance.com to see which supplements I recommend.

BETAINE HCL: Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) is required to properly digest proteins in the stomach. People suffering from Arthritis are often chronically low on HCL (see my lens – The Truth About Acid Reflux) and the undigested protein becomes toxic in their system and results in joint pain. Follow directions on the bottle.

BROMELAIN: Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, is the key to pineapple's value. Proteolytic means "breaks down protein", which is why pineapple is known to be a digestive aid. It helps the body digest proteins more efficiently. Bromelain is also considered an effective anti-inflammatory.

TURMERIC: Is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. It is important to reduce inflammation in the joint before repair can take place. Turmeric is the main spice used in curry (it provides the bright orange/yellow color), but can also be taken in supplement form.

VITAMIN C: Known as the “healing vitamin”, it is one of the building blocks of collagen, is an anti-inflammatory and helps repair damaged tissue. It is also the only vitamin that tells us when we have had enough through “bowel tolerance”. When you take too much vitamin C, you develop gas and diarrhea. Start with 1000mg per day and add an additional 1000mg everyday until you reach bowel tolerance, then pull back. The amount will be different for everyone and may change throughout the year.

GINGER ROOT: Is a great choice for relief of both inflammation and pain. Pour boiling water over grated ginger root and drink the tea. (You can add some natural honey for flavor if you wish)

GREEN FOODS: Chlorella and spirulina are both super green foods that are high in antioxidants and aid in detoxification.

Arthritis: Part 1 – Foods to Eat

As a Registered Nutritionist, I have seen dozens of clients who live constantly with Joint Pain and Arthritis. When I look at their daily diet journal, they are often eating too many of the foods that will aggravate the problem and not enough of the foods that will help alleviate the problem. In part 1 of this 2 part lens on Arthritis, I will give some suggestions on the best foods to incorporate into your diet to help reduce your daily pain.

"You are what you eat!" How often have you heard that expression and really thought about what it means. Next to breathing, there is really nothing that we do more often than eat. Most people eat 5 to 6 times a day, whether it be a full meal or just a snack. But as you eat, are you really considering that this is the fuel on which your body runs.

Here is an analogy for you. If you own a Ferrari and you need to fill up on gas, do you get the cheapest, low octane fuel? Of course not because you will destroy the engine. However, a Honda Civic needs that cheaper fuel and would be damaged by the high octane variety. So what is the real issue here. Is there a problem with either car? No. Is there a problem with either fuel? No. The problem is putting the wrong fuel in the wrong vehicle, or vise versa, putting the right fuel in the right vehicle.

So are you a Ferrari or a Honda? Are you putting the correct fuel in your body? Well if you have chronic pain and/or disease you already have your answer. When it comes to food, just like with engine fuel, “one size does NOT fit all”. So here are some suggested foods to help get your engine running more efficiently.

FLAX SEEDS: are high in essential fatty acids and have anti-inflammatory properties.

COLD WATER FISH: are also high in essential fatty acids and have anti-inflammatory properties. Examples include salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout and herring.

CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES: Broccoli and cauliflower have anti-inflammatory properties.

RAW VEGETABLES & WHOLE GRAINS: They are full of fiber which helps to sweep away minerals and acid build up and keep the digestive system free of harmful bacteria.

SULFUR RICH FOODS: sulfur helps to repair cartilage and bones. Examples include asparagus, cabbage, garlic and onions.

RAW PINEAPPLE: has an enzyme called bromelain which has been shown to reduce significantly diminished in patients who increased their water intake to 6 – 8 glasses a day.

CURRY: Turmeric is one of the main spices in curry and it has powerful anti-inflammatory affects as well as being a wonderful antioxidant.

Cleansing Herbs and Their Effects

DANDELION ROOT
Dandelion root is a well-known LIVER herb that stimulates the production of bile in the liver and the secretion of bile from the gallbladder, and is also a diuretic. It can act as a DIURETIC, helping to eliminate excess fluids from the body

It can purify the bloodstream and liver, and it can stimulate the manufacture of bile. It contains the active ingredients: Lactupicrine, a bitter principle, tannin, inulin, polysaccharides and carotene.

MILK THISTLE Milk thistle seed is a LIVER herb that exerts powerful anti-oxidant effects on the liver and prevents the recirculation of toxins in the liver. Milk thistle seed contains the active ingredient Silymarin.

BURDOCK ROOT Burdock has been traditionally used as a BLOOD PURIFIER to clear the bloodstream of toxins. Burdock's active ingredients are arcigen, calcium, chlorogenic acid, essential oil, flavonoids, iron, inulin, lactone, mucilage, polyacetylenes, potassium, resin, tannin, and taraxosterol.

RED CLOVER Red clover can stimulate the IMMUNE SYSTEM, and help clear the LUNGS of congestion. It is also a BLOOD PURIFIER and a GENERAL TONIC. The following isoflavones are present in red clover: biochanin A, formononetine, genistein and daidzein.

TURMERIC ROOT Turmeric is a powerful ANTI-INFLAMMATORY and has ANTI-
HEPATOTOXIC effects, meaning that it protects the liver against harmful toxins such as heavy metals and xenobiotics. Turmeric has strong ANTIOXIDANT properties, quenching the free radical activity caused by heavy metals and other toxic chemicals.

HYDRANGEA ROOT Hydrangea root has a greater ANTIOXIDANT power on liver tissue, than milk thistle and turmeric combined. It is also an excellent KIDNEY herb that helps to clear the kidneys.

UVA URSI LEAF Uva Ursi leaf, also called Bearberry leaf, is a natural ANTI-BACTERIAL, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY and helps to clear mucous and catarrh from the bladder and KIDNEYS. Arbutin is one of the therapeutic phytonutrients that it contains.