WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

• Rheumatoid Arthritis as an autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly attacks its own cells leading to joint inflammation.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis frequently occurs in people under 40 years of age, and especially in women.  
• Women are 2 to 3 times more susceptible to RA than men.
• Genetics are a suspect here and so are female hormones.
• Rheumatologists have discovered that the blood of many people with this type of arthritis contains antibodies called rheumatoid factors, a factor that aids in the diagnosis of this condition.

• Joint Pain and inflammation of the joint.
• Sometimes the joints ache, but other times it can be a sharp stabbing pain or even a burning sensation.
• Joints may feel warm to the touch.
• This class of arthritis is symmetrical, which means if the joint on one side of the body is affected, the joint on the other side will be affected as well.
• Nodules can form as arthritic lumps beneath the skin. 
• RA is systemic (refers to something that is spread throughout) and you will feel tired, maybe lose your appetite and have a low grade fever.
• Enlarged lymph nodes can also be an indication of this type of arthritis.

Lemon Juice for Vitamin C

• Some forms of arthritis can be reversible, and in some cases curable, with proper diet and lifestyle changes.  These simple changes can not only relieve the inflammation and pain but can also stop degeneration and rejuvenate the affected joints.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS?

• Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joint caused by the cartilage that cushions your joints deteriorating slowly and cannot be prevented.
• It is passed down from parents and grandparents.

• Osteoarthritis starts very slowly and gains momentum as time passes over a period of years.
• Some people start in their early 40's and as time passes the hand, knees and other joints join the party.

• Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that develops as a result of wear and tear of the cartilage in a joint, creating those knobbly fingers reminiscent of our grandparents.  These gnarled joints are at some time most definitely in need of arthritis pain relief.
• What actually happens is that the cartilage in the joints provide a nice smooth surface for bones to slide across, allowing painless and easy movement.
• When the cartilage is worn away due to wear and tear or damage, the bones then almost start grinding together causing pain and stiffness, especially during damp weather, or the morning after strenuous activity.

Vitamin C for Arthritist

• oranges
• brussel sprouts
• strawberries
• peppers
• cranberries
• asparagus
• avocados
• lemons
• mangos
• onions 
• spinach
• tomatoes
• kiwi fruit

• Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant that is required for hundreds of metabolic functions in the body including tissue growth and repair.
• It is well known as a remedy for the common cold, but as far as arthritis sufferers are concerned, it is vital for the production of collagen, which is a protein needed for healthy skin, bones and cartilage.
• It enhances the body's ability to repair damage to cartilage, therefore an important vitamin for prevention of, and help in soothing arthritis.
• Pineapples are a rich source of Vitamin C and they also contain an enzyme called bromelain that helps reduce the swelling and inflammation of many painful inflammatory conditions including arthritis.

Benefits of Pineapples

Vitamin D is critical for preserving muscle strength.

It is needed to absorb calcium and phosphorus, and is thus vital to healthy bone structure.

Salmon for Vitamin D

• breakfast cereals
• eggs
• oily fish
• dairy products
• oysters
• salmon
• sardines
• sweet potato's
• tuna

A deficiency in Vitamin E is actually very rare, but because it is an active antioxidant compound, it prevents damage caused by oxidation to poly-unsaturated fatty acids compounds found in cell membranes.

Nuts for Vitamin E

• Almonds
• Hazelnuts
• Peanuts
• Avocados
• brown rice
• Eggs
• Milk
• Oatmeal
• Sweet Potatoes
• Sunflower Oil

Avocado for Vitamin E

Vitamin K plays quite a few vital roles in the body, but for arthritis sufferers, in simple terms, it is used to make proteins needed for healthy bones and tissues. 

And here is a list of foods containing this vitamin:

Benefits of Asparagus

• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Brussel sprouts
• Asparagus
• Molasses
• Chicken
• Liver
• Oats
• Rye
• Wheat
• Yoghurt

• Rub Castor Oil into your arthritic joints often during the day. It has been used for centuries by physicians and apothecaries for its powerful medicinal and curative powers. The active component is  Ricinoleic Acid, a type of fatty acid that has  analgesic anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Arnica Oil rubbed on daily can also help with arthritic joints because it too has anti-inflammatory properties.

• Dissolve 3 tablespoons of Epsom Salts in a liter of water and add the juice of 5 lemons.
• Store in a cool place and drink a small glass first thing in the morning.
• Epsom Salts are made made of the mineral magnesium sulfate which draws toxins from the body.
• The Lemon Juice has very strong inti-inflammatory properties and also contains Vitamin C which is an antioxidant that helps ward off inflammatory illnesses.

One cup Rooibos Tea, 2 teaspoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice:

1. Rooibos (which is an herb) has many excellent medicinal qualities and one of them is it's anti-flammatory quality.
2. Honey is a great sweetener and all sweet foods stimulates the brain to produce endorphins which are the body's natural painkillers.
3. Vitamin C contained in lemons preserves the health of your collagen and connective tissue which enhances the body's ability to repair damage to the cartilage.

• Cayenne's main constituent is a substance called capsaicin, which is No.1 amongst natural painkillers..
• When applied topically it temporarily depletes substance P a chemical in nerves that transmits pain sensation. Without this substance pain signals can no longer be sent.

Stir a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, a tablespoon of honey and some lemon juice into a glass of water and drink the mixture:

• Cayenne is a natural pain killer.
• Honey, as we have seen above is a good sweetener.
• And the lemon juice provides the Vitamin C which helps the body's ability to repair the cause of arthritis i.e. damage to the cartilage.
• Or easier still, go to your local health shop and buy a tincture containing cayenne. 30 drops in a glass of water daily will do the trick.

• Evening primrose oil contains GLA (gamma-linolenic-Acid) an Omega6-fatty acid which helps ease symptom of Rheumatoid arthritis by surppressing the production of prostaglandins that trigger inflammation.
• Evening Primrose Oil is also useful for heart complaints (it is a natural anti- coagulant) and can also be used for psoriasis, gastric irritations, high cholesterol, multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure.

• Turmeric is another strong anti-oxidant that protects us against free-radicals damage.
• Turmeric contains Curcumin which in turn contains natural pain relieving COZ-2 inhibitors cush as celecoxib.
• It also reduces inflammation by stimulating the adrenal glands to produce more cortisone, the body,s own natural pain killer.
• Try using supplements as it is difficult to get medical doses of turmeric from your diet alone, the daily dose is 250 to 500mg which translates into 5 to 25 teaspoons of dried turmeric per day.

• Green Tea is one of the very very very good herbs for rheumatoid arthritis because it is a rich sauce of anti-inflammatory catechins that can actually help slow cartilage breakdown and decrease chronic inflammation.
• It also has anti-oxidant activity to help fight those free radicals causing trouble with your joints.
• And extra little bonus here is that green Tea is believed to help reduce fat in the body and thereby taking unneccessary extra weight from painful joints.

• Ginger is a powerful antioxidant that also has anti-inflammatory effects.
• This healing herb for RA is well known for inhibiting the pain producing prostaglndins.
• It can also be used in cases of bad circulation.
• Ginger is a powerful antioxidant that also has anti-inflammatory effects.

Borage Salad

• Borage Tea is a delicious and relaxing bedtime drink and can also be drunk to bring down a fever, and relieve chest colds, bronchitis and coughs.

• Borage seed oil is a nutritional supplement that is rich in essential fatty acids that can regulate the body's immune system and fight joint inflammation.

• Borage is a medicinal herb which has been associated with a number of powerful health benefits:
• Borage seeds contain GLA which can ease symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis by suppressing the production of prostaglandins that triggers inflammation.
• Borage also contains potassium which helps the body make potassium (your very own pain killer) by stimulating the adrenal cortex.

• Cat's Claw is one of the important healing herbs for Rheumatoid Arthritis as it enhances and stimulates the immune system.
• It acts as an antioxidant and anti- inflammatory both of which will help with the management of arthritis.
• And a warning - Do not use Cat's Claw if you are pregnant or even think you might be pregnant.

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