As soon as the tomato season arrives (and most of us are gorging ourselves on the fantastic array of citrus and acidic fruits to be had with the arrival of summer) staff at The Natural Food Store quickly notice that customer numbers suffering Arthritic symptoms are peaking and stocks of Devil’s Claw, Atrogel and Glucosamine are being decimated…..In the Clinic enquiries for help with Arthritic pain have soared and Mark our Acupuncturist and Andrew who practices Cranio-Sacral Therapy have been inundated with cries for help….
It was interesting for us to note that while at The Norfolk Show (where we enjoyed a stand in the Norfolk Horticultural Society Flower tent) the message of not eating citrus and acidic fruits – to ease the pain for those suffering from Arthritic conditions – was a revelation to many. We found ourselves continually discussing how changing one’s diet can bring such relief to distressing health problems.
As many as one in ten adults in the UK suffer from some form of arthritic condition, with a variety of different names and consisting of a huge consortium of symptoms. There is no accepted conventional cure, or even effective treatment, to be found within the normal NHS approach. But fortunately natural medicine and treatment can help in alleviating or even removing symptoms.
What is arthritis?
There are two main divisions in the arthritic world: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. This may not mean too much to you when it’s hurting – what’s in a name, after all? It does, however, have some implications for treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The immune system has lost its way and started to attack the body’s own cells instead of bugs, viruses, etc. As the immune system is quite good at attacking things, this results in a great deal of inflammation and deterioration in the joints and tissues that are being attacked. The damage spreads, with cartilage and bone being eroded. The pain can be intense and unremitting.
Osteoarthritis affects the weight-bearing joints and is often caused by wear and tear on those joints through sporting activities, jobs demanding high levels of physical activity or being overweight. The cartilage that separates the bone ends in the joints wears away and the bones rub painfully together causing inflammation and sometimes fusing of the bone ends. Movement becomes painful and often restricted.
Gout and gouty arthritis both involve uric acid collecting in the small joints of the hands and feet, and can be debilitating and painful. These are traditionally connected to over consumption of alcoholic beverages such as port, but in reality can affect anyone whose system is rather too acidic from over consumption of red meat, caffeine, tomatoes, citrus fruits and highly processed foods.
What you can do with your diet
Avoid saturated animal fats, keeping your intake of red meat, dairy products and eggs to a minimum. Oily fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon and tuna contain oils that have a positive effect on inflammation. You can take a supplement of fish oils if you don’t eat oily fish regularly.
Dairy products are problematic not only because of the fat content but also because they contain large amounts of calcium that may not be well assimilated by the body. Calcium that gets dumped in tissues and around joints creates more painful inflammation and contributes to immobility, so get your calcium from sources that also contain plenty of magnesium, a mineral that humans need to utilise calcium.
Citrus fruits and acidic foods DO make arthritic symptoms worse. Our advice for you to cut out oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tangerines, clementines, etc, and use non-citrus fruit. Don’t under any circumstances eat tomatoes – yes, they are in season and fresh from the plant they taste fantastic but even the smallest amount is going to make any lingering symptoms flare up and cause you unnecessary pain. As a small note, acidic fruits such as these will make urinary tract and bladder problems flare up.
Fruit containing digestive enzymes will benefit the gut, so go exotic with pineapple, payaya, mango and guava.
Avoid highly processed foods (e.g. white rice, white flour) as these contribute to the build up of acid in the body, which causes arthritic symptoms.
The Deadly Nightshade family is certainly deadly for many arthritic people, as the alkaloids they contain seem to inhibit collagen repair in joints and create inflammation. Cut back on potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and aubergines.
Tobacco also falls into this category, but I’m assuming you already know that smoking is harmful (we do stock tobacco free cigarettes for those of your trying to give up)! Another inflammatory substance that many people consume regularly is coffee. Drink no coffee, drink much more water, and limit your non-herbal tea intake to a maximum of two cups a day, especially if you are frequently tired, as tea and coffee can promote fatigue. A.Vogel’s Bambu is a tasty substitute for coffee lovers – even my 15 year old sister loves it!
Taking a tablespoon of cider vinegar with a teaspoon of honey and some warm water first thing in the morning is also thought to be good for the digestive system as well as reducing acidity in the tissues.
Eat More
• Oily fish
• Green leafy vegetables
• Vegetable oils
• Whole grain products
• Oats
• Figs
• Pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds
• Kidney beans
• Pineapple, papaya, mango and guava
Eat Less
• Dairy foods
• Meat
• Citrus fruit
• Processed foods
• White flour
• White rice
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Aubergines
• Sugar & Salt
Helpful Tips
Take gentle exercise but keep joints warm, as cold or damp weather often heralds an increase in symptoms. Put ‘Dead Sea’ Salts in the bath, as these appear to draw toxins from the tissues and ease pain. This is best done before going to bed, rather than in the morning. Atrogel bath is also fantastic at relieving pain. Containing arnica gel which has been proven in research to be as effective as the pharmaceutical product ibuprofen gel, luxuriating in a bath with added Atro-Bath Oil can relax and rejuvenate tired muscles after a long day and help to ease both pain and stiffness.
Do consider that long term use of Aspirin or NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs) are known to damage connective tissue, increase uric acid levels and inhibit cartilage repair, thus exacerbating arthritic and rheumatic symptoms. There are herbal remedies that effectively combat inflammation without the negative side effects of the drugs.
Supplements
Devil’s Claw is renowned for its beneficial effect on inflammatory pain. It can reduce pain sensation and improve the mobility of those with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis within the first few weeks of treatment.
One of the many positive aspects to using this herb is that it rarely upsets the stomach. It does not interfere with conventional medication or other herbs and can be used long term.
When taken over a period of six months or more, it is possible that it will rebalance immune function, which is extremely important in rheumatoid arthritis. It is, however, suitable for all forms of arthritis and has been shown to work well on gout or gouty arthritis.
In osteoarthritis – the wear and tear kind – Devil’s Claw can be taken alongside glucosamine sulphate, which helps to repair cartilage and ligaments in the affected joints. Both glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate are made in the body, and they are also found in certain foods. Chondroitin has additionally been found to have the same molecular structure as complex molecules found in cartilage while glucosamine is used by the body to make as well as to repair cartilage. Both can help arthritis pain, swelling and loss of motion and Chondroitin may keep in check an enzyme that breaks down cartilage as well as fighting inflammation.
For arthritic conditions involving calcified deposits in the joints, such as gouty arthritis, Vogel created a unique complex of herbs including Knotgrass. This combination of herbs works to dissolve the deposits, improving joint mobility and strengthening the soft tissue around the joint. It cleanses uric acid from tissues, reducing the painful symptoms of gout and gouty arthritis. It takes around two months for the full effect to become apparent, so Devil’s Claw can be taken alongside it for the first few months to add an extra element of pain relief.
Any arthritic or rheumatic condition will benefit from a reduction in uric acid levels in the system, so Nettles (Urtica) are always a useful adjunct to any treatment, as they help to dispel uric acid and reduce harmful acidity in the bloodstream.
Magnesium supplements can help if calcium is not being absorbed well.
Homeopathy is very effective in treating arthritis. Remedies such as Rhus tox when the pain is better for movement and Bryonia where it is worse for movement. For deep seated long standing pain it is always a good idea to make an appointment with your Registered Homeopath.
External Application
An external application may give warming or soothing effects. A herb that has a traditional use for painful swellings, bruises and injuries is Arnica Montana. A.Vogel’s Arnica Gel is the first product to be licensed in the UK under the Traditional Herbal Medicines Directive and has been re-branded as Atrogel. It appears to contain lactones that give it an anti-inflammatory effect, dispelling pain.
An overall treatment plan encompassing diet, lifestyle and supplements, as well as gels and herbs for immediate pain relief, is the best option for dealing with arthritis in the long term – but don’t forget to avoid the tomatoes !
Massage is a helpful pain reliever too – find a good aromatherapist who has qualifications to degree level if possible, or many years experience. Sounds obvious but don’t forget to check their experience with your condition either! A good therapist will be able to tell you the Essential Oils good for the pain, stiffness and inflammation straight off – common ones are Ginger, Peppermint, Black Pepper, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Thyme, Chamomile and Lemon.
They should also use an appropriate carrier oil such as Arnica or Mustard. A word of warning – Essential Oils are as potent as conventional drugs and you should always use them under the supervision of a qualified practitioner who can make up an individually prepared blend to deal with your specific symptoms.
