| Recent research is providing interesting insight into | | | | deadening the autoimmune response, as can taking |
| beneficial treatments for arthritis, especially in the | | | | probiotics (supplements containing beneficial |
| area of rheumatoid arthritis. Those who are one of | | | | microorganisms). Supplementing your diet daily with |
| the more than 4 million North Americans with | | | | between 2-3 grams of the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA |
| rheumatoid arthritis have more treatment options | | | | and DHA also is very beneficial in diminishing the |
| then ever before, with several of these options, | | | | autoimmune response. Identifying and addressing any |
| especially when used together with one another, | | | | food allergies or sensitivities, which will typically |
| showing great promise for effectively managing | | | | aggravate autoimmune diseases, is quite essential. |
| rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | It is worthwhile to note that while treatment for |
| What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? | | | | rheumatoid arthritis may involve introducing several |
| Before we dive right into these highly effective | | | | supplements to your diet, supplements that are |
| treatment options, it is important to get a firm grip | | | | meant to enhance your immune system should be |
| on what this beast called rheumatoid arthritis actually | | | | avoided. Since the immune system is already |
| is. Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a form of arthritis in | | | | overactive, stimulating it through herbs such as |
| which the body's immune system turns on itself and | | | | Ginseng, Echinacea or others may actually make your |
| begins to attack the joints throughout the body. This | | | | RA worse. |
| causes swollen, painful joints, fever and many times | | | | Inflammation is a key factor in rheumatoid arthritis |
| deformity of the joints. Those between the ages of | | | | treatment. The more inflammation present, no |
| 20-40 are most commonly diagnosed, except in | | | | matter if it is due to a localized injury or part of a |
| cases of juvenile RA, in which children 16 years of | | | | system-wide chronic condition, the worse your RA |
| age or younger are typically affected. | | | | symptoms will be. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is three times more likely to | | | | Reducing inflammation is possible through |
| affect women then men, and has been shown to | | | | supplements and herbal therapies. Omega-3 fatty |
| favor certain geographical regions with a high | | | | acids including EPA and DHA have shown positive |
| concentration in North America. If left untreated, RA | | | | effects in improving joint function that are enhanced |
| will cause rapid degeneration and will quickly begin to | | | | by GLA, a key element in the herb Evening Primrose. |
| deform the joints it affects, especially those in the | | | | Restricting arachadonic acids, which are plentiful in |
| wrists, hands and fingers. It is also commonly found in | | | | eggs, red meat and organ tissue such as liver, from |
| the elbow, shoulder, neck, jaw, feet, ankles, knees | | | | your diet also helps to minimize inflammation within |
| and hips. | | | | the body. |
| The affected joints will usually feel hot, consistent | | | | Beyond nutritional and dietary treatments for |
| with the inflammatory process occurring in these | | | | rheumatoid arthritis, herbal therapy can also be an |
| joints. One of the landmark signs of rheumatoid | | | | effective means of reducing inflammation and pain |
| arthritis is that the same joints will be affected on | | | | associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Tumeric, |
| both sides of the body. | | | | Astaxanthin and Ginger extracts may reduce the |
| What Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments are Most | | | | need for medications for RA if used judiciously. |
| Effective? | | | | However, it would be wise to seek expert advice |
| Until recently prescribing expensive and slow-working | | | | before using these herbal remedies as drug |
| drugs known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic | | | | interactions and gastrointestinal problems are possible. |
| drugs, or DMARDs, was the favorite treatment for | | | | Physical activity, especially in the early stages of the |
| rheumatoid arthritis. While medication may certainly | | | | disease, is showing excellent results in slowing the |
| be warranted and beneficial in some cases of RA, | | | | progression and diminishing pain associated with RA. It |
| research is revealing that a combination of dietary | | | | has been shown to provide hugeimprovements in |
| changes along with supplements and herbs as well as | | | | joint function, fitness and mental outlook. Resistance |
| physical activity in the early stages of RA is proving | | | | training utilizing exercise bands and tubing along with |
| to be a highly effective method of managing RA. | | | | endurance training, sports and stretching at least two |
| As any health professional with tell you, prevention is | | | | times per week may well slow the progression of |
| always more effective than any cure, and | | | | the disease. |
| rheumatoid arthritis is no exception. Vitamin D | | | | Interestingly enough, however, those with severe |
| therapy, either through diet (dairy products - | | | | rheumatoid arthritis actually did worse when physical |
| especially milk) or supplements (Vitamin D3 - | | | | activity was introduced into their regular routine. As a |
| cholecalciferol) has been shown to prevent | | | | result it is important not only to identify RA |
| auto-immune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, | | | | symptoms early but also to begin rheumatoid arthritis |
| multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. Dosages up to | | | | treatments as quickly as possible. |
| 2000 units have shown promising results and also | | | | Unfortunately there is no cure for RA, but the |
| have been shown to reduce a key factor in chronic | | | | quicker you begin to manage it, the better results |
| inflammation throughout the body, which commonly | | | | you will see and the slower your disease process will |
| occurs alongside RA. | | | | progress. Living with rheumatoid arthritis is never |
| Blunting the autoimmune response while at the same | | | | simple nor easy, but pursuing natural treatments for |
| time reducing inflammation throughout the body is | | | | RA can improve the results you see in the short |
| the best way to effectively manage rheumatoid | | | | term and also greatly improve your long-term quality |
| arthritis. Periodic fasting can be very helpful in | | | | and quantity of life. |