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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
This is an auto-immune disease where the body is attacking
itself and the joints are inflamed. It strikes more women than men. Antibodies
develop against components of joint tissues and the body actually begins
to destroy its own tissue, thinking it is an invader. People with RA not
only experience stiff joints and inflammatory pain, but they also have
extreme fatigue, weakness and sometimes low fevers.
Scientists have linked abnormal bowel function with RA since
people with RA have been found to have increased intestinal permeability.
This allows large particles of undigested food to escape into the bloodstream.
These particles then settle into tissues causing inflammation. There is
also a list of foods that commonly cause this reaction in the body. What
foods the body is "allergic" to is different with each person,
but the common offenders for RA are: dairy products, eggs, beef, wheat,
corn, and food additives.
Supplements & Herbs for Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Everflex - A joint combination with glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and Devil's Claw.
Joint
Support - This
herbal combination has been around
for almost 30 years and useful
for relief of pain and inflammation.
Another more recent formulation
is an Ayurvedic formula, Ayurvedic
Joint Health.
Arthristis formulas
will include herbs high in potassium. Nature's Sunshine's
Combination
Potassium combines herbs
and elemental potassium for better
assimilation and results.
Glucosamine mentioned
above stimulates the body to rebuild damaged cartilage.
Nature's Sunshine's Glucosamine formula includes Una de Gato or Cat's
Claw which is known for its anti-inflammatory effects and usefulness
with arthritis.
Omega 3's - Research
has been done showing that some fats promote inflammation and others cool
it down. The best anti-inflammatory fat is fish oil, also
known as omega-3 fatty acids. They depress the production of a highly inflammatory
agent. In a Belgian study, about half of a group of rheumatoid arthritis
patients taking fish oil were able to cut back their doses of painkillers.
Studies have also shown that you are not likely to develop RA if you eat
a lot of fish.
Proactazyme - This
enzyme formula helps the body have sufficient enzymes to break down food.
Enzymes are also needed to clear the allergens causing
inflammation. The body destroys these allergens by excreting enzymes on
them.
Spiritual or Emotional Insight
If you're open to spiritual and emotional reasons for disease,
there's a lot of insight, truth, and knowledge from a book entitled, "A
More Excellent Way," by Pastor Henry Wright. He has categorized
various diseases over many years into specific spiritual root causes.
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