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Coping with Arthritis

Get The Facts About Chronic Inflammation and Natural Remedies

If you're one of the millions of Americans with arthritis, you know first-hand how painful and debilitating it can be. Most people associate arthritis with osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition in the joints that affects more than 30 million Americans. What many don't realize is that there are more than 100 types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis (psoriasis), even juvenile arthritis.

Author and medical journalist, Lorna Vanderhaeghe, believes that chronic inflammation is at the root of the pain and destruction caused by arthritis and various other common diseases. In her book, Get a Grip on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders, Vanderhaeghe explains how chronic inflammation is caused by the immune system's excessive response to infection. She also provides suggestions for relieving the pain naturally, without drugs and their potentially serious side effects.

According to Vanderhaeghe, "Stress, bacteria, viruses, parasites, environmental poisons, certain foods, smoking, high blood-insulin levels and obesity are just a few of the factors that promote inflammation."

So what can we do to better control our bodies' inflammatory response and the accompanying pain and stiffness? "Many nutrients halt the action of inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins without the side effects associated with drugs," explains Vanderhaeghe. The following natural remedies for inflammatory conditions are included in the book:

Celadrin - Celadrin is a natural anti-inflammatory made up of a patented blend of special fatty acids. It is available in capsules, tablets or as a cream. Studies indicate Celadrin improves joint and mobility problems. Published research has shown that people taking Celadrin experienced significant improvement in knee range of motion and decreased knee pain, without side effects.

Boswellia - Boswellia, an extract from the Boswellia serrata tree, has been shown to have several anti-inflammatory effects in human studies. According to Get a Grip on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders, "It inhibits inflammatory factors and the Cox enzyme pathway and therefore reduces inflammatory prostaglandins. It also acts as an analgesic and may improve circulation to damaged joints and inflamed tissue."

Chondroitin Sulphate - A natural substance that is normally found in the body in cartilage, chondroitin sulphate is manufactured from animal sources such as cow cartilage. "By halting the breakdown of old cartilage and stimulating the production of new cartilage, chondroitin sulphate is an effective treatment for the protection of joints," according to the book. "Long-term, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies performed in Europe found that chondroitin sulphate reduced pain, and that damage to cartilage from arthritis was repaired to a significant degree within as little as three months."

Essential Fatty Acids - Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are natural substances that can be found in cold-water fish such as herring and salmon, as well as various cooking oils and food supplements. "EFAs form the lipid layer of all cells in the body and control the development of the brain, eye and nervous system. They also regulate both good and bad prostaglandins that promote smooth muscle contractions and influence hormones. Early research has shown that essential fatty acids reduce the level of pain stimulators, and researchers have suggested that EFA supplementation is useful in decreasing the pain associated with osteoarthritis."

Surviving Stress - Learn to Relax Naturally!

Stress has become a pervasive force in our lives. Today many of us are living life in the fast lane-running around from one commitment to the next with no time to relax, and feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. A floundering economy, financial and career instability drive us to work even harder. Our modern day stresses have become so constant that many of us do not even associate the headaches, tight muscles, anxiety, racing heart, or difficulty sleeping to our daily stresses. We also don't realize that stress is an underlying factor in many chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Stress can also reduce immune function, impair libido and fertility, and cause weight gain. It is estimated that 43 percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress; and stress-related ailments account for 75 to 90 percent of all visits to physicians.

The term "stress" was coined in 1936 by Dr. Hans Selye, a Canadian endocrinologist. He defined stress as "the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change." In other words, stress is not an external force but rather the body's reaction to external stimuli. It is how we react to rush hour traffic, financial problems, work deadlines and other events that we perceive as stressful.

The hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol are secreted from the adrenal glands during a stress reaction. The body enters catabolic state breaking down fuels (fats, protein and sugar) to provide energy. Heart rate and blood pressur e soar to increase the flow of blood to the brain to improve decision-making. Blood is shunted away from the gut where it is not immediately needed for digestion to the large muscles of the arms and legs to provide more strength and greater speed. Clotting occurs more quickly to prevent blood loss from lacerations or internal hemorrhages. The cortisol released in stress responses is known to be detrimental to our bodies when chronically elevated: it can damage our nervous system, impair cognitive and memory function, and lead to weight gain and obesity.

While we can't always avoid the things in our lives that cause us stress, we can develop better coping strategies and support our bodies with proper nutrition and supplements. Holistic Pharmacist and author Sherry Torkos has some common-sense suggestions for reducing stress and promoting relaxation:

Employ deep breathing techniques, meditation, and make sure you get enough sleep.
According to Torkos, "Deep breathing increases oxygen levels in the body and has a natural calming effect. In addition to promoting calmness and a sense of peace, meditation slows heart rate and breathing, normalizes blood pressure, improves oxygenation, lowers cortisol levels, improves immune function, and slows the aging process. With today's busy lifestyles, sleep deprivation has become a common concern. When we are tired, we feel edgy, irritable, and are more reactive to stress. To improve your ability to cope with stress, make sleep a priority. Dedicate 7 to 9 hours each night for sleep."

Get regular exercise
"Exercise is a great way to take the edge off your stress, "explains Torkos. "It releases tension and worry, promotes a better feeling of well-being, plus it cuts your risk of many chronic diseases. Try to be physically active each day. Walking, swimming, cycling are all great ways to get exercise for little to no cost. Yoga is another great way to de-stress. Yoga is very much about the mind/body connection and it involves focusing on breathing and posture, stretching and building flexibility."

Make healthy dietary choices.
"Stress can deplete our bodies of B-vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium - the very nutrients that are needed to support the nervous system and your body during stress. Ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs by eating brightly colored fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats (olive oil, fish, avocados, nuts and seeds). For an occasional indulgence, have some dark chocolate. Chocolate is a great source of antioxidants and magnesium, and it is naturally low in the glycemic index.

Some foods can worsen how you deal with stress. For example, foods that rate high on the glycemic Index (GI), such as white breads/pasta/rice and refined sugars, cause a rapid increase in blood sugar, which triggers cortisol releases. Cortisol promotes belly fat storage and also increases the risk of diabetes. Eating high GI foods and the accompanying fluctuations in blood sugar can also trigger mood swings, increase appetite and hunger cravings - all factors that can contribute to weight gain. Go easy on high GI food . . . when you do consume them take a supplement containing Phase 2 beforehand. This will help reduce the digestion of starch and improve after-meal blood glucose levels.

Fast foods often contain certain chemicals which can trigger anxiety and irritability in many people, so they should be avoided. Go easy on highly caffeinated beverages such as coffee and soft drinks as they can heighten anxiety and worsen your ability to deal with stress. Last but not least, alcohol is commonly perceived as something which helps people unwind and relax, but it actually worsens stress and impairs the nervous system."

Choose smart supplements
There are certain supplements that can help promote relaxation and improve your ability to deal with stress. Here are some to consider:

• B-vitamins are essential for the nervous system and adrenal function.
• Calcium and magnesium are important minerals that support muscle and nerve function.
• Lactium is a milk protein with anti-stress properties. It is sold in various supplements.
• L-theanine is an amino acid naturally present in green tea. It promotes relaxation, reduces stress and improves mental focus and clarity.