HEALTH INFO - Arthritis

Arthritis is the painful inflammation of bone joints, affecting bone, cartilage, blood vessels & the skin. It can present itself in many forms, including:

-Rheumatoid arthritis
-Gout
-Osteoarthritis
-& ankylosing spondylitis among others.

Some of us are generally predisposed to running the risk of developing this disease, whilst there are some whose lifestyles increase the risk of developing arthritis. It can also occur when cartilage in a joint becomes brittle, & loses its elasticity through wear & tear. As you get older your body finds it harder to take on board & process silicon, vital for repair of cartilage. This is made worse by the fact that foods we eat these days have poor silicon content. In addition, the accumulation of toxins can inhibit the body's healing process.
Whatever the cause, there may be some lifestyle changes you could make relatively easily, to ease or rid you of your symptoms. Try gradually integrating some of the following into your life (with the aid of your health therapist or GP), slowly, one step at a time to make the changes easier to adapt to.

ELIMINATE FOOD SENSITIVITES
THE MOST COMMON CULPRITS WORTH INVESTIGATING ARE:

Red meat, including pork products, processed meats, processed food, tea, coffee, dairy products, refined flour (e.g. biscuits, cakes, white bread, white pasta), sugar (check all your food labels for hidden sugars!), chocolate, cocoa, fried foods (including stir fries), peanuts, citrus fruits, tomatoes, root vegetables, preservatives & additives, the nightshade family (aubergines, peppers, chillies, courgettes, tomatoes, potatoes), salt, meat fat.

A lot of these foods help your body make uric acid or cause your body to fight against itself, which is bad for your joints!

TRY SOME OF THESE:

-If you do think you have a food sensitivity, it could be because you lack certain enzymes to break down your food efficiently. Eating raw food wherever possible, or if need be taking an enzyme supplement before meals may help.

-Drink plenty of water; it helps lubricate your joints & flush out toxins like uric acid. Try it hot with a sprig of rosemary, or chopped ginger if you don't like water, & boost your immune system too!

-Eat lots of fish, including tinned fish.

-Eat plenty of green vegetables, salads, & pulses, like chickpeas & beans

-Eat plenty of nuts, but not peanuts.

-silicon rich foods that you may like to try are as follows:
rye, porridge, milet, barley, potatoes, wholewheat, artichokes, corn, asparagus, brown rice, colza oil, sunflower seeds, parsley

-Eat plenty of sunflower, pumpkin & other seeds.

-Eat wholemeal bread.

-Chicken is OK too.

-Grapes, apricots & peaches are good too, but only if they are fresh.

-Camomile tea is a good substitute for normal tea. This & other herbal teas have no caffeine in them. Try a few until you find one you like. Green tea has about 40% less caffeine, & there are coffee substitutes like chicory available. Again, you may have to try a few before you find one that suits your taste.

-Use olive oil for cooking & salad dressings.

-Eating ½ lb. tinned/fresh cherries a day can ease gout.

-Soya beans & foods are healthy

-anti-inflammatory foods can help e.g turmeric, pineapple,
blueberries, purple carrots & real ale in moderation can help too

-The following supplements may help, but talk to the experts in the health food shop to find out which ones would be best for you:

*cod liver oil
*glucosomine
*vitamin A, B complex & E to help detoxify your body
*borage (1-3gm/day for rheumatoid arthritis)
*evening primrose oil (ensure you have adequate amounts of zinc & magnesium for this oil to do its work properly

-Gentle exercise can help, e.g. swimming, but avoid activities which put pressure on joints, e.g. lifting, walking over rough ground.

-People who live with arthritis sometimes find making love, dancing, and indulging in pleasurable, positive pastimes reduces the pain.

-Use aromatherapy oils to help eliminate toxins, ease pain, & improve mobility. These are safe to use alongside most other supplements/medicines, but it is best to check with our qualified aromatherapist, who could establish the oils best suited to you, & support you on a course of treatment if needed.

-Massage & aromatherapy massage are both very helpful in aiding detox & easing pain

-Lose weight & relieve the pressure on your poor joints. By following a healthy diet & exercising more will help, especially cutting out sugar.

HERE ARE SOME SIMPLE RECIPES TO GET YOU STARTED

However the rest is up to you. Have a look through your old recipe books & see if they have anything in them you can copy or modify.

-Spinach & poached egg on wholemeal toast for a snack.

-Poached cod with herbs, steamed broccoli & green beans.

-Tuna salad with all your favourite ingredients, &sunflower seeds & olive oil dressing.

-Chicken stuffed with chestnut & wholemeal bread, with Yorkshire pudding (use wholemeal flour), green vegetables & potatoes roasted in olive oil & garlic, with homemade gravy.

Of course, you may need a helping hand to help your body flush through toxins like uric acid, which builds up & aggravates the condition.