Arthritis: Part II

By Dr. Paulette Roscoe

In my last column I talked about the causes of osteoarthritis; this week I want to talk about treatments and therapies. Natural treatment focuses on enhancing the repair process within the joints and addressing the factors responsible for joint degeneration.

To being with, nutrition is important and can accomplish a major goal in the treatment of arthritis. If you have arthritis your diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables, which are rich sources of anti-oxidants that can protect against cellular and joint damage. Avoid all simple processed and concentrated carbohydrates, including sugar and fruit juices. Stress high fibre foods. Keep fats to a minimum. Flavonoid rich foods such as cherries, blueberries, and blackberries are beneficial in the treatment of arthritis because they prevent the destruction of the joint structure.

A substance in the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers) can inhibit normal collagen repair in the joints. Try a three-month diet free of foods from the nightshade family to see if this is a predisposing factor for your arthritis.

The elimination of food allergies can be an important step in reducing joint pain. If you have a wheat sensitivity, wheat products can often produce joint pain. Do have a test for food sensitivities because there may be other allergies involved.

A detox treatment can be very useful. A detox diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish combined with a series of detox supplements can eliminate toxins and inflammatory byproducts from the blood, thereby decreasing the pain and inflammation of the joints.

There are several supplements that can be extremely beneficial. Anti-oxidants can help prevent damage to the cartilage of the bone. Vitamin E has the ability to inhibit the breakdown of cartilage as well as the ability to stimulate the manufacture of cartilage components. Vitamin C is necessary to the manufacture of collagen, the major support protein of cartilage. As we age, we tend to become more deficient in Vitamin C and this deficiency is known to produce poor collagen synthesis.

Certainly one of the most impressive supplements in the treatment of osteoarthritis in the last decade had been glucosamine sulfate. Double blind studies have shown that glucosamine sulfate produces better long term results than aspirin type pills in reducing the inflammation and pain of osteoarthritis. It treats the root of the problem by promoting cartilage growth.

Some botanicals that are useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis include a native African plant called Devil's Claw. Devil's Claw can act as an anti-inflammatory and also has a pain killing effect on the sore joints. Boswella Serrapa can decrease inflammatory pathways, stop cartilage breakdown, and increase the blood supply to the joints.

Physical therapy can be very important in reestablishing joint integrity. Various physical therapy treatments like exercise, heat, cold, and diathermy can be beneficial in increasing joint mobility and decreasing pain. However, avoid physical activities that overly strain the joints.

Massage therapy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic can be utilized to decrease joint strain.

I hope this column has given you a glimpse of the many things that can be done to stop and even reverse osteoarthritis. Work with your health care professional to create a health plan that's right for you. I hope I have shown you that degeneration is not inevitable.

Dr. Paulette Roscoe is a naturopathic physician who practices in Nanaimo. She welcomes your calls at 754-1733.