The Women Warriors

[RawMahdiyah]

Arthritis: Gout

Main Therapy

*focus on reducing production of uric acid crystals (characterized by swollen painful joints esp. big toe)
*enhance urinary excretion

>Colchicine - main anti-inflammatory drug used in treating Gout
*doesn't affect concentration of uric acid
*only inhibits inflammatory response when crystals get deposited
*immediate short-term relief but many can't tolerate optimal dose due to GI side effects


Dietary Treatment

1. Eliminate alcohol consumption
*increases uric production & decreases uric acid excretion
*alcohol = main trigger in many people
>eliminate alcohol = no gout

2. Low-Purine Diet
*avoid high-purine foods (see below)
*limit medium-purine foods


3. Reduce weight
*weight reduction significantly reduces blood lovels of uric acid


4. Limit protein intake
*no more than 0.8 per kg body weight


5. Cherry Cleanse:
*1/2 Ib fresh cherries/day
*1 cup pure/organic cherry juice (concentrate)
>lowers uric acid levels

6. Adequate fluid intake
*keeps urine diluted and promotes uric acid excretion



Supplements

*quercetin (200-400 mg, 3x/day, between meals)
>inhibits production of uric acid

*folic acid (10-40 mg)
>inhibits production of uric acid
>dosage may interfere with drugs

*bromelain (250-750 mg, 3x/day between meals)
>helps to digest circulating immune-complex, general anti-inflammatory


Not Recommended:

*Niacin (>50 mg/day) -competes with uric acid for excretion

*Vit.C (>3000mg/day) - may increase uric acid production


FOODS:
High Levels of Purines (100-1000mg/100g of food)

*Anchovies
*Bouillon/consomme
*Herring
*Mackerel
*Sardines
*Mussels/scallops
*Mince meat and meat extracts - kidneys, heart, brains, sweetbread
*Yeast (baker's/brewer's)

Moderate Levels of Purines (9-100mg/100g of food)

*Fish
*Poultry
*Meat
*Shellfish
*Asparagus
*Beans & Peas, dried
*Lentils
*Mushrooms
*Spinach

Foods containing small amounts of Purines (<9 mg/100g of food)
*Bread & crackers
*Butter & Cream/milk/icecream
*Cereals-related products
*Cheese
*Chocolate
*Coffee
*Condiments/vinegar
*Eggs
*Fats and oils
*Herbs
*Noodles/macaroni
*Nuts
*Olives
*Pickles
*Popcorn/cornbread
*Rice
*Salt, Sugar & Sweets
*Tea






Osteoarthritis (OA)

1. Eliminate Nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant)
*major alkaloid (solanine) can inhibit collagen repair

2. Antioxidants
*increased antioxidant fitness slows down progression
*diet rich in phytonutrients (particularly flavonoids found in colored rich fruits -eg. berries, cherries)

3. More sulfur-rich foods (garlic, onions, brussel sprouts, cabbage)
*natural source of sulfur needed for collagen repair

4. Glucosamine Supplement
*composed of glucose with amine group attached
*produced naturally in body
*stimulates the production of GAGs needed for cartilage repair
*decreased production of glucosamine with aging
*not found in therapeutic dosages in foods - must supplement
*studies verify benefit
>not instant relief but better regeneration status after 4 weeks

Glucosamine Sulfate - most studies on this form; supplies elemental sulfur that is also required by cartilage
>dose: 500 mg, 3x per day (4-6 week duration)

Obesity: increases weight-bearing stress > extra 500 mg per day
Diuretics: increase dosage to compensate for reduced effectiveness


Other Supplements

*Sulfur products
->s-adenosylmethionine (SAMe): Methyl Sulfonyl Methane (MSM)
-provide elemental sulfur

*Vitamin E (400-800 IU)
-inhibits cartilage breakdown

*Vitamin C (100-3000 mg)
-protects and enhances cartilage
-possible synergism with Vit. E

*Vitamin A (5000IU per day)
*Vitamin B6 (50 mg per day)
*Zinc (30-45 mg per day)
*Copper (1-2 mg per day)
*Boron (6 mg per day)

> All needed for cartilage manufacture & repair







Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Dietary Considerations

1. Eliminate Food Allergies
*common: wheat, corn, milk, beef, nightshades, food additives

2. Digestion
*support with digestive enzymes at each meal

3. Dietary Fats
*increase anti-inflammatory omega-3 fat consumption
*flaxseed oil (1-2 tbsp./day)
>works in RA only if restrict pro-inflammatory fats

4. Antioxidants
*stress diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and sulfur-rich foods (onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts etc.)


Other Supplements

*Bromelain
-general anti-inflammatory (as in Gout)

*Zinc (45 mg/day)
-reduces joint tenderness, stiffness
-cofactor of anti-ox enzyme SOD -protective of synovial lining

*Selenium (200 mcg/day)
-cofactor of anti-ox enzyme GP
-reduces free-radical damage caused by inflammatory compounds

*Vit. E (400-800 IU/day)
-synergistic with Selenium to reduce inflammatory damage

*Vit. C (1000-3000 mg/day; divided doses)
-increases activity of SOD
-natural anti-inflammatory & anti-histamine


Contraindicated Supplements

*Iron
>elevated Fe found in synovial fluid, reduced in blood serum
>avoid iron containing supplements



**DRINK pure/charged WATER people!!!
**When taking therapeutic supplements, be sure to start with a good multi as a base-foundation, then stack on top! (synergy)


Source: Murray, N.D., M. & Pizzorno, N.D., J.: Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine - 2nd Edition



RawMahdiyah