How can I support my body if I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?

There are many faces to Arthritis. Let’s look at each of these to clarify:

·        Osteoarthritis–degenerative of the joint, is the most common and is characterized by destruction and wearing of the weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, spine, and hands. This disease can be managed by monitoring the body chemistry, working with food allergies, good detox protocols and good diet .

·        Rheumatoid Arthritis–is an auto-immune, inflammatory disease where the immune cells attack the synovial membranes of the joints, then as damage continues the blood vessels can be affected as well as other organs of the body such as lungs and heart.  This disease can literally stifle the body’s healing ability and cause negative emotional factors like resentment and poor attitude – even in the most positive of individuals.

·        Psoriatic Arthritis–combines Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms with Psoriasis which needless to say delivers uncomfortable symptoms inside and out.  This disease can be treated naturally, but requires a great deal of time and patience from the sufferer. 

With all these types of Arthritis, excellent diet, external treatments and nutritional supplementation are mandatory. In many cases, the sufferer must make choices about the degree of pain and discomfort that can be tolerated and how the pain affects the quality of life for the individual. These choices would include Western medical protocols like Humira, Methotrexate, Hydrochloroquine (Paquenil), Enbrel and newer drugs like Anakinra which work by injection to bind cell messenger protein (IL-1).  As with all drug protocols, it is important that you have a physician who understands you (and works with you to give you the highest quality of life).

Now, at the very least, a RA diagnosis should consider the following:

Diet:

  • Balancing daily intake with plenty of fresh foods containing live enzymes and nutrients such as green tea, artichokes, cherries, brown rice, sea greens, cold water fish, leafy greens, garlic, olive oil, flax oil, squash

  • Elimination of all acidic foods to include alcohol, fried foods, dairy, caffeine

  • Avoid trigger foods like corn, wheat, pork oranges, coffee, refined sugars and hydrogenated oils

  • Avoid nightshade foods like peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant until you are sure you are not reactive to them

  • Products like Knudsen’s VERY VEGGIE JUICE and New Chapter’s GINGER WONDER

Supplements:

  • Glucosamine-Chondroitin

  •  Jarrow TRUE CMO

  • SAM-e

  • Ester C

  • Transformation REPAIRZYME

  • Royal  Jelly

  • Ginseng

  • Evening Primrose

  • Grapeseed PCO’s

  • Vitamin E

  • New-Chapter’s ZYFLAMMEND

  • COQ10

  • Whole Food vitamins and nutrients

Topical Relief:

  •  Traumeel healing gel

  • Arnica Gels and Creams

  • Boswellia Crème

  • Aloe gels and juices

  • Emu Oil

Always make sure of getting your Vitamin D, either through supplementation or time in the sunshine. Calcium is greatly needed in the healing processes of the body and the Vitamin D is essential in its absorption. Also, support the liver any time prescriptions are used. Treat yourself as an individual and find the protocols that work for you!

— Joan    © 2009  Joan Goodman

Joan Goodman, CTN, MH
1950 Eldridge Parkway, Suite #5101
Houston, TX  77077

281-493-9473 

All articles are copyrighted by Joan Goodman. They may only be reprinted with her express permission.

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