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Monday, 20 October 2014

Natural Cures for Arthritis 1

Very often I have heard people complaining – ‘I have arthritis’, others will say ‘I have rheumatism’. And I have discovered that sometimes it is either of the two or both that they actually have. In as much as the fact remains that both rheumatism and arthritis are similar and related, there is still a marked or maybe, a thin line separating the two.

Arthritis however is defined as inflammation of a joint or joints, while Rheumatism is defined as any painful disorder of the joints or muscles, or connective tissues. It is also a chronic autoimmune disease with inflammation of the joints and marked deformities. Something (possibly a virus) triggers an attack on the synovium which is a thin membrane or tissue layer, by the immune system, which releases cytokines that stimulate an inflammatory reaction that can lead to the destruction of all components of the joint.

Thus both rheumatism and arthritis can be placed in the same class of inflammatory joint disease(s). It is a combination of these two conditions and the attendant symptoms that is referred to as Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Here, we refer to any of a large group of diseases characterized by abnormal functioning of the immune system that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against your own tissues.

And so I will be discussing these two jointly, and more, as we delve into the issues under the generic name – arthritis, and also proffer time tested remedies by the application of the most appropriate nutritional approach.  As we deal with this generic term Arthritis, we shall be looking at it in two classifications among its two major groupings: The first question for you would be – what kind of Arthritis is confronting you? And so it could either be Rheumatoid Arthritis or Osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that often afflicts people in the age bracket of 25-50. It is most common with young adults and sometimes could also even afflict babies and children, affecting women more frequently than the men. Rheumatoid Arthritis usually affects the joints of the bones on both sides of the body like the knees for instance. It may cause the joints to become inflamed and swollen, especially all the many joints including the small joints of the hands, ankles, feet, knees and elbows. The sufferer will normally complain of general tiredness and prolonged morning stiffness.

In this situation the body is said to be actually attacking itself in this autoimmune disease condition. Due to chronic inflammation, both the joints and the whole body is under attack and the joints are usually swollen, red and warm and (tender to touch) or hurting.

Remedy through proper Nutrition: First of all, it has been proven by medical research that some of the triggers of rheumatoid arthritis are actually foods that you might be allergic to. So you could start by trying to identify and subsequently eliminating those food triggers.
But most importantly, you could help your intestine to heal through guided nutrition that enables it achieve proper absorption: It is true that a healthy intestinal tract helps to ensure that nutrients which include essential minerals and vitamins are effectively fed to your bones and joints for healing. 

To do this you need to consume good quantity of essential fish oils like Omega3 fatty acids found in oily fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel or what is popularly called titus in Nigeria, etc. You could also obtain your fish oil in the form of supplements perhaps for quicker response.
Next, you should go for high fibre content foods. These will sort out the permeability of the intestines so you can overcome your rheumatoid arthritis. It simply means that your digestive system must be made to, or should be working perfectly; hence fibre or roughage helps you to achieve a good digestion and also, bowel movement. 

You will therefore need to be friendly also with your  whole foods such as whole wheat, brown rice or ofada rice, sweet potatoes, cassava, yams, oats, etc. And of course, you must not forget your daily dose of fruits and vegetables.

But while you are at it, be sure also to chew your foods very well before swallowing, for digestion actually begins with the enzymes in the saliva, in the mouth. And do not make the habit of always washing down your food with fluids while eating except it becomes very necessary.

By Morgan Nwanguma


  1. It is true that ones choice of food can help. Without a proper diet, the symptoms can be quite debilitating at times for those who have to cope with the pain.

  2. That's very correct Gwen; we just have to be a little more circumspect these days - even with what we consume, etc.