| Chronic inflammation inflicts devastating effects, | | | | tissues as if they were foreign invaders. There is |
| especially as we grow older. Systemic inflammation is | | | | erosion of cartilage and of bone, as well as chronic |
| a common culprit contributing too many degenerative | | | | inflammation and thickening of the membrane that |
| diseases such as arthritis. It can also manifest into | | | | surrounds the affected joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is |
| atherosclerosis, heart valve dysfunction, congestive | | | | considered to be directly related to chronic |
| heart failure, Alzheimer's and even cancer. | | | | inflammatory syndrome. The swelled joints may feel |
| Since I addressed inflammation in a previous article, I | | | | warm to the touch and look red. There is also a |
| would like to concentrate on one of these | | | | general feeling of sickness, fatigue, weight loss and |
| degenerative diseases that inflammation contributes to, | | | | fever. The conventional treatment for rheumatoid |
| arthritis. | | | | arthritis is relatively safe but the medication itself |
| The word arthritis means "Inflammation of the joint". | | | | suppresses not only the symptoms but a much |
| There are two very distinct types of arthritis, | | | | needed enzyme that our bodies need to fight acute |
| osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both are painful | | | | infectious diseases which can result in a serious |
| and are the leading cause of disability in people over | | | | infections. |
| the age of 64. | | | | The conventional treatments for both of these |
| Conventional medicine offer temporary relief from the | | | | degenerative diseases involve blocking of the |
| symptoms which may result in side effects such as | | | | inflammatory pathways that are causing the cartilage |
| ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. Some arthritis | | | | destruction. There are however, natural therapies that |
| medication can actually worsen the condition by | | | | work along these same pathways and without the |
| speeding up joint destruction. | | | | dangerous side effects. |
| What is the difference between osteoarthritis and | | | | Modifying the diet can help block common |
| rheumatoid arthritis? | | | | inflammatory pathways. Foods with a high glycemic |
| Osteoarthritis is a gradual decay which usually affects | | | | index should be avoided: |
| the knees, hips, spinal and hand joints. This | | | | Fatty Red Meat |
| degeneration causes pain, swelling, deformation and | | | | Organ Meats (liver, kidney, etc.) |
| reduced range of motion. The erosion of the cartilage | | | | Egg Yolks |
| and erosion of bone results in a loss of shock | | | | Pasta |
| absorption and the underlying bone begins to thicken | | | | Juices |
| and bone spurs are formed. As it worsens there is | | | | Rice |
| significant pain and disability. The use of pain killers and | | | | White Bread |
| anti-inflammatory drugs over time may result in | | | | A simple change in the diet in addition to suggested |
| undesirable long-term effects. | | | | supplementation may have a significant beneficial |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune | | | | impact on arthritis sufferers. |
| disease where the immune system attacks body | | | | |