Coping with Arthritis

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Coping with Arthritis

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HKL/is_5_7/ai_66918303

Healthy & Natural Journal Oct 2000 by Eugene R Zampieron & Ellen Kamhi

 

Eugene R. Zampieron

In , the liver is the chief of the ligaments, tendons,

Joints and sinews of the body. Stagnation or congestion of the liver

often leads to joint and muscle pain, because the amount of toxie

material supercedes the detoxification rate and capacity of the liver.

 

The term " arthritis " is often used loosely as if it encompassed one

entity, although more than 100 types of arthritis have been identified.

Each of these may be caused by a myriad of underlying etiologies. It is

more correctly defined as being not one disease, but as a syndrome or an

aggregate of illnesses whose common features include joint pain,

stiffness and inflammation. The end stage of arthritis can lead to

ankylosing or fusion of the joints.

 

For millions of Americans, arthritis limits everyday movements such as

walking, standing or even holding a pen. The most common form of

arthritis is osteoarthritis, usually attributed to joint wear and tear.

This is actually a mistaken concept as many elders in other

civilizations show no sign of osteoarthritis despite vigorous wear and

tear over their lifespan on their joints.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis, although less prevalent, attacks people of every

age group, although it is more common in women. It is an inflammatory

disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own healthy tissues.

 

In gout, often called the rich man's arthritis, a metabolic build-up of

uric acid (a waste product of protein breakdown) causes razor-sharp

crystals to be deposited in the joint spaces rather than eliminated

through the kidneys and skin. These dagger-like crystals often find

their way to the first joint of the big toe, but also attack the wrist,

fingers, knees and elbows. Heat, swelling and stiffness result in

excruciating discomfort for the patient.

 

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in 1 out of 10 patients who have psoriasis, a

complex disease involving the skin, and the liver/gut/large intestine

connection. The disease usually begins 10 to 20 years after the onset of

psoriasis and includes swelling in many joints, but particularly the

shoulders, knees, and the end of the fingers and toes.

 

Infectious arthritis includes diseases like septic arthritis, where

bacteria or parasites invade the joint capsule (the tough membrane

surrounding the joints which contains the synovial fluid) directly, or

reactive arthritis (such as seen after bowel surgery).

 

Holistic practitioners often find that patients actually have a

continuum of symptoms. For example, even those who are officially

diagnosed with osteoarthritis often have some degree of autoimmune

involvement.

 

In this first installment of our two-part series, we will focus on

several physical parameters that we have seen in virtually all cases of

arthritis and will offer suggestions about specific botanical medicines

(herbs), and some nutritional supplements to aid this condition. We will

focus on three of seven specific areas that are the underlying etiology

(causes) of arthritis:

 

1) build-up of toxic waste products in the tissue

 

2) a decrease in integrity of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract

 

3) an overabundance of disease causing microorganisms

 

The root of pain

 

In all arthritides, but more commonly in rheumatoid and other

autoimmunebased arthritis syndromes, environmental and internally

generated toxins are first complexed by a non-cellular part of our

immune system known as antibodies or immunoglobulins, to form

circulating immune complexes (CIC's).

 

In a healthy person, CIC's are sequestered and neutralized, but in

arthritis and many other disease conditions, the liver, bowels, kidneys,

skin, lungs, and connective tissue by removing deleterious substances

such as environmental (xenobiotic) toxins as well as those generated

internally (endobiotic toxins).

 

Alteratives are also referred to as blood and lymphatic cleansers.

Alteratives can be combined with regimes of cleansing or elimination

diets, fasting, colon hydrotherapy, saunas, lymphatic drainage

techniques and homeopathic detoxification and drainage remedies to

further decrease the toxic load on the body, thus allowing the body to

divert its energy into healing versus crisis management.

Sulfur-containing supplements such as MSM, SAM-e, and the amino acids

cysteine, methionine, glutathione and taurine all support the hepatic

cytochrome enzymes and enable the liver to process the onslaught of toxins.

 

In Chinese medicine, the liver is the chief of the ligaments, tendons,

joints and sinews of the body. Stagnation or congestion of the liver

often leads to joint and muscle pain, because the amount of toxic

material supercedes the detoxification rate and capacity of the liver.

 

Herbal alterative " superstars " which remedy this situation and have been

utilized for arthritis include milk thistle (Silybum marianum),

dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and burdock (Arctium lappa).

 

Tonic herbs

 

Another critical underlying reason for the pain and inflammation of

arthritis is the inability of the adrenal glands to produce adequate

levels of endogenous corticosteroids. Thus, many allopathic physicians

prescribe synthetic steroids such as prednisone to decrease pain and

inflammation.

 

While this approach is indeed effective for discomfort, corticosteroids

are a group of drugs endowed with dangerous side effects and should only

be used for a short duration of treatment, if at all. In order to

augment the body's natural ability to produce these important hormones,

naturopathic physicians and herbalists throughout the centuries have

prescribed herbs known as tonics to augment the functional steroidal

output of the adrenals and other endocrine glands.

 

The term tonic is synonymous with the more modem designation adaptogen

and amphoteric. A tonic is an herb which is safe to use daily, affects

many body systems (hormonal systems, organs functions, etc.), and has a

balancing effect on the body, which helps people to cope with stress in

a positive manner

 

* Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is the king of tonic herbs, creating optimal

health and energy when used daily. It has been documented to enhance the

production of the adrenals' corticosteroids. It works synergistically

with Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus).

 

* The ancient Ayurvedic medical system from India has honored

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) for thousands of years. Modern research

has discovered that Ashwaganda contains withanolides, which improve

stamina, helps with stress management, and tonifies the adrenals.

Bupleurem and Rehmannia are two of China's most powerful adrenal tonics.

Long-term tonic use augments the production of steroids by the adrenal

glands, which combat inflammation, pain, hypoglycemia, fatigue and

create well-being.

 

Leaky gut syndrome

 

Individuals suffering from joint and muscle pain due to autoimmune

problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia, as well

as osteoarthritis patients plagued with pain associated with the

consumption of certain foods, often have a condition known as " leaky gut

syndrome. "

 

This allows molecules that are usually too large to exit through the

gastrointestinal lining to escape and enter the bloodstream, which leads

to the formation of CIC's, implicated in the production of an allergic,

inflammatory response resulting in joint and muscle pain. Furthermore,

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS), the pharmaceutical

drugs usually prescribed for arthritic conditions, actually worsens the

problem of leaky gut. Specific nutrients which coat and soothe the

intestinal lining include:

 

* L-glutamine is an amino acid which scientific research has shown to be

able to soothe irritated gut linings and help to regrow flattened

" villi " --the tiny finger like protrusions that line the GI tract and act

as a surface for the absorption of nutrients.

 

* Primrose oil supplies essential fatty acids needed to soothe and

re-establish well formed cell membranes.

 

* Quercetin, one of the most bioactive bioflavonoids, acts as a natural

antihistamine agent and blocks the production of prostaglandins and

leukotrienes. These powerful inflammatory molecules are at the root of

all pain and inflammation.

 

* Ginkgo biloba, well known for its effects on brain function, has

components known as flavonoids which act as an antioxidant and

anti-inflammatory. These can help to strengthen the intestinal lining,

and heal a leaky gut.

 

* Marshmallow root and okra are demulcents, which coat the

gastrointestinal lining and heal irritated tissues.

 

* Scandinavian researchers who have studied the effects of fasting and

its incredible anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on arthritis,

fibromyalgia, and pain postulate that fasting affords the gut time to

rest. The rested gut, when provided with the proper botanicals and

nutrients, becomes less permeable. This decreases the load on the gut to

process foreign antigens, which also reduces the toxic load on the

liver. Less formation of circulating immune complexes means less " gut

garbage " being deposited in the connective tissues and joints, which

creates a less inflammatory state.

 

Parasite problem

 

The proliferation of unfriendly microorganisms, including bacteria,

yeast, fungi and parasites, is often undiagnosed by conventional

medicine. Yet these organisms are present in a large majority of people

who suffer from a wide variety of symptoms including gas, bloating,

digestive disturbances, skin rashes, allergic reactions and muscle and

joint pain. The presence in the intestinal tract of an excess of these

organisms is referred to as dysbiosis. Not only can this situation cause

the above-mentioned symptoms, but it can activate the body's immune

system to turn against its own tissue.

 

Researchers such as Dr. Alan Ebringer of London have discovered that

autoimmune arthritis conditions are often created when the organisms in

the gut, through natural selection, mimic and camouflage themselves to

resemble human tissue. By doing so, the organisms are difficult to

detect by the immune system. When the immune system eventually makes

antibodies to the bacteria, it also begins to make antibodies to the

disguised human tissue. This is the genesis of an autoimmune disease in

which the body becomes " allergic " to itself and attacks it vigorously,

as is seen in rheumatoid arthritis.

 

In order to get rid of these " invaders " and re-establish a healthy gut

flora, a variety of herbs act to discourage the growth of pathogenic

organisms while building and supporting the immune system:

 

* Barberry root contains berberine, the yellow compound that is also

found in goldenseal root. Berberine helps the liver filter out bacteria

and can inhibit the growth of streptococci and other microorganisms. It

helps to kill parasites and tonifies the intestinal tract.

 

* Citrus seed extract contains proanthocyanadins (OPC's), biologically

active flavonoids which help to heal irritations to the lining of the

intestines.

 

* Black walnut hull is a time-honored vermifuge (worm destroyer) used

traditionally in Western Herbal Medicine. It is high in tannic acid,

which tonifies the digestive tract and helps rid the body of parasites.

 

* Thyme and oregano leaf oil are essential oils with powerful

antimicrobial effects. They have been proven to destroy parasites,

worms, fungi, bacteria and viruses. It is also important to

" re-inoculate " the gastrointestinal tract with friendly bacteria.

Acidophilus taken as a supplement can be helpful for this purpose.

 

As well as organisms in the colon contributing to arthritis, other

intestinal toxins can trigger inflammation by stimulating a non-cellular

part of the immune system known as the complement system. Complement's

job is to amplify inflammation because inflammation is the way that the

body cleans house.

 

Dr. Eugene Zampieron is a licensed naturopathic physician in

connecticut, a medical herbalist, adjunct assistant professor of

botanical medicine and natural products consultant, He specializes in

naturopathic treatment of rheumatology disorders. Dr. Ellen Kamhi is a

respected authority on natural healing and holds degrees in nursing,

education, and public health education. Excerpts are included from their

books The Natural Medicine Chest (M. EVANS & COMPANY, 1999) and

ARTHRITIS-The Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide (Alternative

Medicine. Com Books, 1999).