Home Remedies That Work

  Arthritis Notes

  Arthritis joint pain

The same reporter who found the hiccup cure, in the same segment, reported on WD-40 used to relieve the pain of arthritis. She visited a nursing home and got 5 volunteers to try it. On 2, it had no effect. The other 3 were helped -- a lot. One who had burning sensations and pain in the joints of her hands, and no mobility at all (curled almost like rigid claws), sprayed on the WD-40 and in 15 minutes had no more pain and was able to open and close her hands freely. Another could hardly move her left knee and felt a lot of pain. Also completely relieved the pain, and she was flexing her knee back and forth.

We have a friend in her 80's who has had severe arthritis in her knees for years. She had a knee replacement on her right knee, and it did not go well -- constant pain, very little mobility. So even though her left knee was very bad, she refused to have the knee replacement. We told her about the WD-40. She was worried about the greasiness and the smell. I sprayed my hand and rubbed it in. No greasiness, and she felt the smell was not objectionable. She drenched her knee with WD-40 and in about 15 minutes the pain was gone. She was also flexing her knee back and forth in amazement. We took her shopping and she was able to walk up and down the aisles (with her walker). Previously when we had taken her she had to use a wheel chair. Just to see the relief on her face was priceless. She was pain-free for about 30 hours.

I have an aunt who has had severe rheumatoid arthritis for years. I told her about this and she tried it. It did not help her.

I also came across an article (by a doctor) who worried a lot about the long term effects this product might have if used in this manner (topical application). He had no evidence of these effects, he was just concerned. But I have been in severe pain for a day, and in heavy pain for several days (not equivalent to childbirth, I'm sure). I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to put up with the pain of arthritis day after day after day. There are those fortunate enough to be helped by pain killers, but if you aren't one of them, it must be terrible.

So, good luck with this one. I saw it work, and not work.

Another comment:
"Spray WD 40 on the affected area once in the morning and once before bedtime. Rub it in well. Do this for about 1-2 weeks. The pain will be gone. I tried this on my knees and was amazed. I told a friend who was unable to outstretch his hands because of the pain. After two weeks, he grabbed my hands and squeezed them, thanking me. He showed me that he could open and close his hands, something he hadn't been able to do in years."

Arthritis Notes

Western medicine utilizes several classes of drugs to treat Rheumatoid arthritis, including analgesics, corticosteroids, uric acid-lowering drugs, immunosuppressive drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as antimalarial drugs, gold compounds, penicillamine and sulfasalazine. While many of these drugs provide temporary relief of pain and inflammation, they have little or no effect on the underlying disease processes. Long-term toxicity and side effects associated with approved RA drugs requires that patients be carefully monitored and frequently re-evaluated by their physicians.

 Alternative nutritional approaches include joint-building substances like chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, mucopolysaccharides, and MSM, and anti-inflammatory substances like proteolytic enzyme combinations (as in Unizyme—VRP’s version of Wobenzyme), Serrapeptase, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Turmeric, and Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs).

My sister began to suffer with arthritis pain. She took the chondroitin, glucosamine, and MSM. She thinks it is a miracle. The pain is gone and the arthritis does not seem to be getting worse.

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 The most studied of the anti-inflammatory herbs are ginger and turmeric. Known for centuries to practitioners, these two herbs are currently undergoing clinical trials at the University of Arizona's National Center for Phytomedicine Research in the College of Pharmacy.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is probably best known for its ability to ease motion and morning sickness as well as drug-induced and postoperative nausea. In a double-blind clinical trial, ginger extract reduced knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a plant related to ginger, is the herb that gives curry its brassy golden color. Turmeric is proven to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. In one animal trial, a turmeric compound was almost as potent as cortisone in treating acute inflammation.

You could use ginger and turmeric in cooking, but it would mean consuming a lot of both herbs on a daily basis. That's not practical for most of us. So I usually recommend using them as supplements.

An Indian take-away is not an obvious health food - but a curry can actually help alleviate joint problems. This is because the spices, which usually include turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, coriander, and cumin, all have an anti-inflammatory action in the body. Chilies are another fiery food that can help. They contain a chemical called capsaicin, which depletes another chemical called substance P (normally used to send pain signals around the body). Capsaicin also triggers the release of the body’s own pain-relieving endorphins, which work in the same way as morphine.

 

Glucosamine and Chondroitin contain the aminosugars that help the body rebuild cartilage. MSM is the sulfur-containing compound that was used by actor James Coburn to relieve his arthritis, and he claimed that it enabled him to return to acting.

Glucosamine is a natural component of cartilage. It stimulates the production of connective tissue in the body - but as we get older, we cannot make enough of it naturally. The upshot is that the cartilage can no longer retain water and act as a shock absorber. So although this is not a cure, when taken as a supplement glucosamine can greatly relieve the symptoms of this painful condition.

In some studies, it has even been shown to halt the progress of the disease by tackling the underlying cause and restoring lost cartilage. So, while anti-inflammatory drugs will act faster, glucosamine is more effective over time. In addition, it is safe and has no side effects except in rare cases (where it may cause nausea or heartburn), and even this can be countered by taking it with food.

Chondroitin Sulfate reduces inflammation and assists the Glucosamine in protecting against future cartilage degeneration.

Organic sulphur or Methylsulphonylmethane (MSM) is also crucial to healthy connective tissue. It is found in every cell in the body and plays a key role in the production of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Although available in a wide range of foods, including plants, meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy - it is easily destroyed by heat and food processing. So to relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis, it is better taken in supplement form.

 When the body is not receiving adequate MSM (sulfur), a variety of things begin to happen. The body may not be able to repair or replace damaged tissues quickly enough and compensates by producing abnormal cells that may lead to illness. An inadequate sulfur level causes a heightened sensitivity to pain, because sulfur balances the build up of pressure in the cells. The body's healthy acid/alkaline balance may also be disrupted, preventing the body from turning food into energy and increasing the chances for disease. Some symptoms of sulfur deficiency may include: allergy symptoms, pain, inflammation, slow wound healing, brittle hair and nails, poor circulation, skin problems, premature aging, and cellular damage.

  MSM is vital to the production of energy. It helps make the body's cells more permeable, which allows nutrients to flow in and toxins to flow out. Your cells thus become enriched with life-giving oxygen and other nutrients. MSM combines with toxins in the body, facilitating their removal via urination. Dietary sulfur is an essential ingredient of protein necessary for collagen synthesis. Collagen is the most common protein in the body, and the main component of skin and bones. It is needed for the growth and repair of cells, gums, blood vessels, bones and teeth. Vitamin C is an important regulator of collagen synthesis, and works synergistically with MSM.

  Those who use MSM supplements contend that it not only helps treat osteoarthritis -- the degenerative form of arthritis that wears down cartilage over time -- but rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune-related conditions as well.

Numerous studies have shown that sulfur levels in arthritic joints are lower than in healthy joints. MSM may help by delivering needed sulfur to the afflicted areas. Once in the joints, exactly how MSM works remains unclear: It may exert an anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect similar to that of aspirin.

It may also help to maintain or repair cartilage, the gel-like substance that cushions joints and that is a key ingredient of connective tissue. In a preliminary, double-blind study of 16 patients with degenerative arthritis, the patients who took 2,250 mg of MSM daily for six weeks reported an 82% reduction in pain on average. Only two of those taking the placebo reported decreased pain -- about 20%.

 ·  For arthritis: Take 500 mg two or three times a day. Using MSM cream or gel in addition to the supplement may provide extra benefit. Rub the cream on the painful area four or five times a day for best results.

• Take MSM with or directly after meals to lessen the possibility of gastrointestinal upset.

• If you find that MSM increases your energy level, avoid taking it too close to bedtime.

• For most ailments, allow at least a month to see results.

• If you are on a blood thinner (anticoagulant), such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin), consult with your doctor before taking MSM. It can occasionally have a blood-thinning effect.

• Some people develop minor gastrointestinal discomfort, such as cramping and increased stool frequency with MSM use.

• In rare cases, a skin rash may appear. Stop using MSM if this or any other allergic reaction occurs.

Vitamin A (Beta carotene) is essential for growth and repair of body tissues and it aids in bone formation.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) produces a mobilization of your body's self-defense mechanisms, which assists your immune system to overcome disease.

And finally, Vitamin E (Tocopheral) is an antioxidant, which acts to protect red blood cells and unsaturated fatty acids from oxidation damage. It also assists your body in maintaining healthy membrane tissue.

 Vitamin A, C, and E all promote general health and protect against the harmful effect of free radicals.

 Shark Cartilage is a source of Chondroitin Sulfate. It drives the Glucosamine and provides maximum absorption. Also, in many trials it has reduced the possibility of developing cancer.

Digestive health also plays a role in relieving the symptoms of arthritis. Researchers admit they have no idea why this should be the case but a deficiency in the so-called ‘friendly’ bacteria that aid digestion in the gut has now been linked with a worsening of the symptoms. To remedy this, you need to take a good probiotic (yogurt) supplement.

 Yogurt deserves its reputation as a healthful food. It's a great source of protein and calcium. When made with non- or low-fat milk, it's low in fat. If it contains live starter cultures, it can aid digestion.

 Some manufacturers add other cultures during processing to enhance the health-promoting potential of yogurt. The most commonly added cultures include Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. reuteri and Bifidobacterium bifidum. These "probiotic" bacteria pass through the stomach to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. There, they help maintain a healthy balance between the 200-plus kinds of bacteria that live there.

 The easiest way to get into nutritional trouble with yogurt is to choose one overly laden with sugar. Nutritionally speaking, you can't beat plain nonfat yogurt with live active cultures and added probiotics. One cup provides 136 calories, zero grams fat, 14 grams protein, 19 grams carbohydrate and 488 milligrams calcium.

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflamed joints. Therefore, foods and beverages that cause inflammation should be avoided if possible. This means you refrain or cut back on the amount of coffee you drink, since it has been linked to inflammation. Sodas and other caffeinated and sugar laden drinks should also be avoided.

Those concerned about rheumatoid arthritis and diet should also avoid milk and cut back on dairy products as these can cause problems for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis.

Anti-inflammatory nutrients should be included in your diet. One of the best anti-inflammatory nutrients is a high quality Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplement  Fish oils have been shown to help quell inflammation and benefit arthritis pains.

Some spices have potent anti-inflammatory properties, such as turmeric and ginger, and you may want to include these in your cooking or take them as supplements to see if they help you as they have helped others with arthritis.

 Some health professionals argue that diets high in fat exacerbate the conditions of arthritis, and indeed may even be one of the causes.

However, other research also suggests that not just high fat diets are a problem, but ones that also contain refined carbohydrates should be avoided as it may worsen degenerative arthritis.

Here are some foods to avoid with arthritis: breads, pasta, sugar (refined), flours, most grains, biscuits, cakes, most fast foods, potatoes.

Particularly bad are fried foods. Any fried food is a food to avoid with arthritis.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, a lot of your pains and aches may be caused by inflammation of the joints.

Therefore, you should try to eat foods and drink beverages that have anti-inflammatory properties (and avoid ones that make inflammation worse).

For example, the spices turmeric and ginger which are often used as seasonings and spices in ethnic dishes are very good anti-inflammatories.

In the beverage area, you should avoid (or cut back on) coffee (which may contribute to inflammation), sodas (which are high in sugars and carbs), and fruit juices. In short, try to substitute water in place of these beverages.

One food that has a lot of nutrients and anti-inflammatory properties is fish. The only problem is that most fish are contaminated with heavy metals and other toxins because of the polluted Ocean waters in which they are caught.

That's why you may want to consider using a high quality fish oil supplement that's been purified of any contaminants, only leaving the beneficial omega 3's and anti-inflammatory agents.

Indeed, studies are now suggesting that people with arthritis may benefit from using fish oil supplements, especially those people with arthritis caused by inflamed joints.

Inflammation is a key component of the body's healing response, marked by pain, swelling, warmth, and redness. It's the body's way of getting more blood and immune cells to an injured area. When inflammation is confined to where it's needed for an appropriate length of time, no problem. But when it persists or becomes too intense, it can cause disabling symptoms and tissue damage.

Here's the science: The body tightly controls inflammation via substances called prostaglandins, which are synthesized from essential fatty acids. They're involved in maintaining the complex chain of chemical reactions that keep us alive and functioning. When this delicate internal ballet goes awry (as it can when your diet contains too many of the wrong fatty foods, for example), prostaglandins can precipitate inflammation and even make you more susceptible to pain.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including over-the-counter aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, and the prescription drug celecoxib (Celebrex), effectively target inflammation and relieve pain. But there's a downside. They have significant side effects, especially stomach irritation. That can lead to potentially deadly gastrointestinal complications. (The manufacturers of the prescription NSAID rofecoxib, or Vioxx, removed the drug from the market in September 2004 when a study linked it to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.)

Herbal anti-inflammatories work the same way and have few side effects. However, herbs work much slower than fast-acting NSAIDs: It will take up to 8 weeks of continuous use before you'll feel their effects.

Good Nutrition Can Help

By Cyndi Thomas N.D., C.N.C.

When I developed arthritis, my knees were weak, sore and opening my car door became impossible because of my thumb joints. It was a constant hurt and throbbing.

I started researching alternative means of therapy. Through my studies, I discovered meat and dairy were the two main culprits, as far as nutrition. So, out went the meat and dairy from my diet. What happened?

Within one week, my arthritis was completely gone. I was pain free!

Below is a testimonial from one of my clients, Jan Kingston. Jan’s knees were in such bad shape that she was almost wheelchair bound. At the time I spoke with her, she was using a walker and was taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

Hi Cyndi,

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! It isn’t enough, but I don’t know what else to say! My arthritis of the past 6 years is gone, Just gone! The dairy was the problem. As long as I stay completely away from the dairy, no pain. I can have chicken and fish without any problem, but if I eat any dairy, the pain returns. I’ve spent so much money and time trying to get this under control and to find it was something so simple.. well, I’m just amazed.

Jan

Jan isn’t an isolated incident. I counsel many who have found partial or total relief by changing their dietary habits. Below are a few recommendations that can help the pain of arthritis:

• Do away with refined and partial foods: white flour and white sugar – get them out of your diet.

• Eat a diet composed mainly of: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans, nuts, seed, lean meat and fish.

• Take dairy out of your diet and see if that helps. If not, try eliminating meat - Especially red meat.

• Some people with arthritis do well by eliminating allergenic foods which include; dairy, wheat and corn.

• Avoid the foods from the nightshade family: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and potatoes.

• The herb Ginger has been known to help some people.

• Consume foods containing the amino acid histidine, which includes; brown rice, wheat and rye. (if wheat isn’t a problem)

• Be sure and take a good calcium/magnesium supplement. Very important for the health of the bones and ligaments.

• Include the essential fatty acids; wheat germ oil, sesame seed oil, flax oil. The good oils will lubricate the joints and ligaments and promote healing.

• Get plenty of sunshine. Exposure to the sun prompts the synthesis of vitamin D, which is needed for proper bone formation.

• If you are overweight, lose the extra pounds. Easier said than done, I know : ) but an overweight condition can cause and aggravate arthritis.

• Glucosamine Sulfate is one of the most talked about natural remedies for arthritis. A Swiss study found it was as effective in decreasing stiffness and pain as ibuprofen, but without the side effects.

Exercise

Making exercise part of your daily life is one of the best decisions you can make for overall good health.

Many arthritis sufferers have reported tremendous relief by adding an exercise program to their daily regime. Water aerobics is a wonderful exercise for those with arthritis. With water aerobics, an arthritis sufferer can exercise with little or no pain.