Arthritis

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Arthritis

by George E. Meinig, DDS, FACD

_http://www.ppnf.org/catalog/ppnf/Articles/Arthritis.htm_

(http://www.ppnf.org/catalog/ppnf/Articles/Arthritis.htm)

 

Arthritis is a degenerative disease which affects over ten million people,

takes many forms, but has two distinct entities, each so different they

probably should not be classified together as one disease. One involves loss of

calcium in the joints, the other a buildup of calcium. The most important

factor

in arthritis is an upset of the balance of calcium and phosphorous. Many

things can affect this mineral upset.

Rheumatoid or Hypotrophic Arthritis is the most prevalent. In slight cases

it may pick on only one part of the body, as a finger or toe, elbow, knee,

etc. In this type of arthritis the second joint of the finger swells. It is

characterized by a loss of calcium in the articulating part of the joint,

destroying it. The chemistry is found to be low levels of calcium and high

amounts

of phosphorous or in some cases low calcium and low phosphorous. This latter

type with low phosphorous is more often found in vegetarians, as meat is a

principal source of phosphorous for most people. Assimilation also tends to be

poor in these cases.

Contrary to what people think, most arthritics need calcium. Calcium

lactate, bone meal, Vitamin D, sunbaths, kelp, medium-to low intake of fats and

oils

and phosphorous either added or reduced, depending on the type of arthritis

case. Assimilation or digestive ability must be checked as many of the

patients are deficient in one or more of these important body functions.

The other type of arthritis, Osteoarthritis Deformins, or the hypertrophic

case, has a basic chemistry of high calcium and low phosphorous. This causes

deposits of calcium salts at or near articulating joints. Usually the terminal

phalanx (outermost joints of the fingers) are affected. Infections are not

too often present. The actual intake of calcium may not be too high, but the

phosphorous is too low or not being utilized.

Many different things can affect phosphorous assimilation. Some are: kind of

phosphorous in diet, level of unsaturated fats, hydrochloric acid level of

the stomach, amount of bile, Vitamin B or D, pancreatic enzymes, presence of

infections, basic metabolic rate and constipation. Osteoarthritis cases should

not take calcium or dairy products or Vitamin D. Quite the opposite of

rheumatoid arthritis.

Hair analysis along with blood serum studies is helpful in determining types

of cases and treatment programs to be prescribed. Hair analysis of

arthritics finds them frequently low in copper, iron and manganese, and high in

lead.

Besides the number of ways phosphorous assimilation is affected as listed

above, sugar, caffeine drinks and alcohol seriously disturb calcium-phosphorus

balance. Fatty acids and pantothenic acid help support adrenal gland

functions. Vitamins C and B2 are also helpful. Those repressing anger should

find ways

of releasing that anger as bottled up emotions cause anxiety tension in

tissues. Recreational activities that involve hitting, running, kicking are

particularly good as these activities help release emotional problems and

tensions.

Interestingly, arthritic body chemistries are similar to those we find in

people having pyorrhea. This breakdown of gums and bone around teeth has at

times been called arthritis of the jaw because its wasting away of bone is so

similar. Inasmuch as about one-quarter of my time is spent treating gum

diseases you can see how important knowledge of systematic conditions is to a

dentist and why it is so paramount to success. Early detection and preventive

treatment of pyorrhea may therefore at times abort a latent arthritic case.

You can see minerals are more involved than vitamins in the treatment of

arthritis. This doesn't mean vitamins are unimportant or useless. However, it

must be readily apparent that there isn't any simple diet supplement that is

involved with arthritic tendencies. For some the simple supplementing with

calcium can do wonders while for others the same calcium could make the problem

worse.