Arthritis -- a painful disease that usually is manifest by inflammation and pain in the joints.  Changes in physical structure are common.

There are two predominant types of arthritis --osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis include stiffness, pain, swelling, and heat in the affected joint(s) often made worse by damp weather, periods of rest or inactivity, or strenuous exercise.  Osteoarthritis is characterized by an eroding of cartilage in the joint.  This is caused by a lack of calcium, phosphorous, and in some cases, potassium.  Often there is a problem with the body of the arthritic person in utilizing calcium rich foods.  This can be caused by unrecognized allergies to these calcium rich foods, by a lack of potassium or sodium, or an overacid diet/body.

Poor assimilation of calcium has been thought to be due to a malfunctioning parathyroid gland.  However, researchers are now finding that by simply boosting the potassium intake, calcium assimilation is improved. By increasing organic sodium in the diet the digestion at the stomach level is strengthened, and acid at the blood level is reduced. This helps to reduce the amount of calcium being pulled out of the blood into the joints and allows calcium to be deposited into the bones.

Cooking and processing food depletes the natural potassium and calcium levels of them. The body's potassium and calcium levels can also be depleted with alcohol, coffee, diuretics, cortisone, sugar and excessive salt intake.

Natural sources of potassium include raw salad vegetables, potato peeling broth, bitter greens (spring mix salad), beans, almonds, and whole grains.  An herbal potassium formula called Potas is also available. Did you notice that bananas are not on the list? Because they are picked green they tend to have much lower potassium levels than if they were vine-ripened.

Phosphorus is also necessary for helping calcium to go and stay where it is needed.  The highest bodily concentration of phosphorus is in the hard structures of the body; the bones and teeth.  When phosphorus levels decline in the body calcium leeches out of the bones and teeth and settles in the joints.  Phosphorous is readily available in barley, beans, fish, lentils, rice bran, dark green leafy vegetables, pumpkin seeds, nuts, egg yolks, and poultry.  It is readily available in many herbs also. Enemies of phosphorous are sugar, excessive aluminum intake, magnesium and iron, aluminum from cookware, mineral oil and tobacco.

Other nutrients important to the bone structure, (especially in arthritis) are fluoride, magnesium, and silicon.  Fluoride is important to the integrity and strength of bone tissue and is most healthfully available in avocado, cabbage, garlic, oats, brown rice, and many herbs.  Fluoride in our water is not the correct chemical structure to help with bone density and joint issues. Magnesium assists in the absorption of other nutrients including calcium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, B complex, C and E.  Silicon is essential for normal bone growth and development and depends on fluoride for assimilation.  It is also vital to the strength and elasticity of the gristle in the cartilage.  Oats, barley, nuts and seeds, cereals, grains, rice polishings, the skins of fruits and vegetables, are all good sources of silicon.  Most, if not all, of the nutrients needed for the prevention and relief of arthritis are found in the herbal calcium and bone knitting formula,  Herbal CA.

Because rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune condition wherein the body does not recognize what is self and what is not it is much more challenging to work with.  Many people have found good support using natural herbs and supplements and it is a very wise idea to work with a trained natural practitioner if you are going to follow this path.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and sometimes the surface bone tissue in and around joints.  Symptoms of this debilitating disease can be swelling and pain in the joints, fatigue, anemia, weight loss, and fever.  This disease usually strikes women when they are in the 20-50 year old age bracket.  Complications that can arise from this condition include keratitis sicca (dry-eye syndrome), scleritis (inflammation and redness of the sclera of the eye), and xerostomia (dry mouth).

Some researchers state that rheumatoid arthritis is an allergy caused by a lack of sodium and/or potassium.  Pains on the left side indicate low sodium while pains on the right side show low potassium.  It has also been suggested that heavy metals and toxins in muscle tissue may cause rheumatoid arthrits.

Because rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune’ disease, the immune system needs to be supported but not stimulated.  Cat’s claw (a plant from South America) is an excellent choice for an immune support in arthritis.  It has also been helpful in relieving pain. Building the body from a cellular level is also beneficial. Many have found help by using Nature’s Gold, Greenzone, and Zambroza in combination.

The herbs that alleviate osteoarthritis are often beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis.  Other excellent sources of potassium are bee pollen and burdock.  Alfalfa contains two parts potassium to one part sodium and therefore can be beneficial in helping to restore the potassium/sodium balance.

The stiffness that accompanies both forms of arthritis has been attributed to a manganese deficiency.  This mineral is vital for connective tissue, and is found in whole foods like green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereal grains and legumes.

Many herbs have been found effective in the relief of arthritis.  These include yucca, white willow bark, hydrangea, capsicum (cayenne), alfalfa, feverfew, comfrey, chaparral, devil's claw, and burdock.  The formula ART-A with Devil’s Claw includes many of these herbs.

Glucosamine is a substance that the body uses to repair cartilage, among other things, and is enhanced when paired with chondroitin.  Everflex tablets combine glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM for a powerful anti-inflammatory blend.

Other helpful hints for all types of arthritis include:   1)  Gentle daily exercise to relieve pain, build muscles, reduce stiffness, promote oxygen in affected areas; 2)  Eliminate white flour, white sugar, red meat; 3)  Avoid nightshade vegetables (eg. white potatoes, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes); 4)  Strive for correct posture in all positions; 5)  If you smoke, quit; 6)  Use fresh lactobacillus rich foods (eg. unflavored yogurt, buttermilk, kefir) or take a probiotic supplement; 7)  Drink warm drinks; no coffee or non-herbal teas; 8)  Eat parsley, broccoli, watercress, asparagus; 9) use a digestive enzyme tablet with each meal to enhance the breakdown of foods into nutrients.

Judith Cobb