Tag: arthritis

A bit about Arthritis

Today’s post is about Arthritis.

Arthritis is actually an umbrella term for more than 100 conditions that effect the joints of the body. The most common forms are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and gout. Many people will suffer from one or more types of arthritis in their lifetime.

So, in this post we will look at what it is, what causes it and what to do about it for prevention and reduction of symptoms.

What is arthritis really?

It is generally regarded as tenderness or swelling of one or more joints causing pain. It generally manifests as pain or swelling in a joint with redness and swelling as well as stiffness and reduced movement.

This is often due to the surface of the cartilage being damaged and then this causes calcium phosphate crystals to become deposited in the joint. However, as there are so many different types this is only a generalisation.

So, what causes it?

The short answer is no one really knows definitively what the cause is and this is likely due to the fact that there are so many inflammation conditions that are called arthritis. There are also so many ways for inflammation to happen. A common factor is obesity due to the increased pressure on the joints, another factor can be family history as well as repetitive actions that wear out a joint.

What can we do to prevent it?

An easy start can be a simple as diet. Avoiding saturated fats like fried foods and palm oil are prime culprits for causing inflammation. This will have the added benefit of reducing weight which will in turn benefit the reduction of symptoms.

Ensuring you are getting enough calcium in your diet is important for bone growth and regeneration but keep in mind that without vitamin D the calcium will not be metabolised from the food as well. Regular exercise will help in keeping muscles strong to support the joints.

Managing the pain.

While there are many easily accessible analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs aimed at reducing the pain there is always a better way. The most important thing to remember is to remove the obstacles to proper joint health, this means removing inflammatory foods and excess weight for a start.

Next is to support joint healing through proper nutrition and gentle physical movement or acupuncture to improve circulation. There are several herbal and mineral treatments that are very effective at reducing joint pain in many cases. For example, Boswellia serrata is a plant that is particularly good at reducing the pain of arthritis. Also Omege-3 supplements work well by reducing inflammation.

As a naturopath I also recommend the use of a “tens” machine to improve blood flow to a specific area. This helps to reduce inflammation and remove any calcium phosphate crystals that may have formed.

If you find you are suffering from sore joints, arrange an appointment with your chosen health professional. It may take several visits before they can tell what type of arthritis you have. This is because some types of arthritis can be hard to diagnose and may need further testing or examination. They may examine the affected joints and send you for some tests or x-rays. Most forms of arthritis can be diagnosed through blood tests.

We hope you have found this information helpful.

 

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper

Cherries – The Healthy Christmas Treat

Todays post is about Cherries.

In my last post about Gout I mentioned that eating Sour Cherries could assist with this condition. With Christmas approaching, these fruits are popping up in our supermarkets. I thought some research into cherries was a good idea.

Here is what I found out.

First of all, there are two main cherry species:
Sweet Cherries (Prunus avium L.), which are what we often see in the supermarket, sold as generic fresh cherries.
Sour Cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) are mostly used in processed products such as frozen, canned, and juices or typically preserved for cooking purposes or for making cherry brandy.

Within these two species, there are more than 80 different varieties of cherries grown within Australia. Different varieties are harvested at different times. This means that different varieties of cherries are available from November to January.

Are they healthy?

Overall cherries are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, fibre, and other nutrients that the body needs to function optimally. They are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. The amount and type  of antioxidant can vary, depending on the variety.

It is the unique combination of these vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds which act together. This enables cherries to deliver health benefits not available in supplements.

These little stone fruits contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins, which provide a variety of health benefits, and give cherries with their rich red colour.

Research conducted by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Centre on Ageing at Tufts University, confirmed sour cherries contained similar or higher amounts of antioxidants compared to blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries.   At least one serving of cherries (100 grams) per day is required. Though additional servings do deliver more benefits.

What are the health benefits?

The health benefits of antioxidants are wide ranging. The flavonoids found in cherries and other fruits help reduce and combat oxidative stress, a condition that is linked to multiple chronic diseases and premature ageing.

Antioxidants are necessary to clear the body of damaging free radicals and they are most effectively acquired through diet. If we don’t consume enough antioxidants, damage can occur. This can lead to degeneration and disease including cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cancer, inflammatory conditions and neurological diseases.

Other studies have found that eating cherries effectively reduced inflammation by suppressing inflammatory proteins, which can help reduce symptoms related to arthritis.

Plus, they can decrease uric acid levels in the body, making them especially beneficial for those with gout.

Overall, research has confirmed that cherries have significant health benefits. Such as slowing or inhibiting the progression of cancer, ageing, neurological diseases, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory conditions.

What about tart or sour cherries?

Tart cherry juice and concentrate have been found to accelerate muscle recovery and decrease exercise-induced muscle pain. It has also been found to prevent strength loss in elite athletes, such as cyclists and marathon runners.

Eating sour cherries or drinking tart cherry juice may also help improve sleep quality. This may be attributed to the fruit containing melatonin, a substance that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. This is why sour cherry concentrate is often included in sleep supplements.

So, not only do cherries contain several powerful plant compounds that can help reduce inflammation, but also eating them may improve sleep, slow ageing, and assist exercise recovery.

Sounds like a lot of good reasons to enjoy these delicious red fruits this Christmas.

Enjoy.

Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper.

Sources – (The Victorian Cherry Assoc – Healthline )

A Bit about Gout

Todays post is about Gout.

Scott and I were recently discussing this condition that affects many people. There are many theories around what it is and how it is contracted.

So, here are some facts.

Gout was historically known as “the disease of kings” or “rich man’s disease”. It has been recognised at least since the time of the ancient Egyptians.

Gout affects about 1 to 2% of the Western population at some point in their lives. It has become more common in recent decades. This is believed to be due to increasing risk factors in the population, such as metabolic syndrome, longer life expectancy, and changes in diet

What is Gout?

Gout is actually a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by crystals that form in and around the joints. The crystals result from high levels of urate in the body. It is a condition caused by a build-up of uric acid and the body does not flush out the crystals fast enough. This build-up usually affects your feet. If you have gout, you’ll probably feel swelling and pain in the joints of your foot, particularly your big toe. Sudden and intense pain, or gout attacks, can make it feel like your foot is on fire.

What is Urate?

Urate is found in all people, in small amounts in our blood. Our bodies make it every day by breaking down natural substances called purines. Purines are found in our bodies’ cells, as well as some of the foods we eat. Our kidneys usually remove any excess urate from our blood into our urine. However, people with gout have higher-than-normal amounts of urate in their bodies. This can be a result of:

  • our bodies producing too much urate and/or
  • the kidneys being unable to get rid of it quickly enough (this is the main reason for high urate levels in more than nine out of ten people with gout).

If urate levels remain high, it starts to form small crystals in and around the joints. These crystals form slowly, over months or even years, usually without any symptoms. A gout flare up occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the crystals. The crystals still remain in the joint(s) even after the pain settles.

You’re more likely to get gout if you:

*are a middle-aged man or postmenopausal woman

*have parents, siblings, or other family members with gout

*drink alcohol

*take medications such as diuretics and cyclosporine

*if you have a kidney or thyroid problem, or an inherited disorder, can make it harder for your body to remove excess uric acid.

In some people with gout, diet is the cause.

How can diet contribute?

Certain foods are naturally high in purines, which your body breaks down into uric acid. Most people don’t have a problem with high-purine foods. But if your body has trouble releasing excess uric acid, you may want to avoid certain foods and drinks, such as some red and organ meats, certain seafood and alcohol.

Some sugar-sweetened beverages and foods containing fructose can also be problematic, even though they don’t contain purines.

There is however, evidence from studies suggesting that certain foods help can reduce uric acid levels in the body. They are – tart cherries, magnesium, ginger, apple cider vinegar, celery, nettle tea, dandelion and milk thistle seeds.

But simply eating these foods may not be enough to control gout

If left untreated, gout can eventually lead to arthritis. Hard lumps called tophi can eventually develop in your joints and the skin and soft tissue surrounding them. These deposits can permanently damage your joints.

If you think your may be suffering with gout, it is important to seek advise from your chosen health professional.

Moving forward

The only way to diagnose gout with certainty is by your doctor finding urate crystals in fluid taken from your joint. Uric acid levels can also be measured by blood tests, however these are not always accurate. However, blood tests are useful in ruling out other causes for your symptoms, such as joint infections or other forms of arthritis.

The treatment plan recommended will depend on the stage and severity of your gout.

I hope you found this information helpful.

Till the next post,

 

Live clean n Prosper

Sources – Healthline, Arthritis Australia, Wikipedia