The above mentioned diseases are related to our skeletal system. In every case bones are affected.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis affecting the bones and joints. It is characterized by mild early-morning stiffness, stiffness after periods of rest, pain that is worse when the joint is used and loss of joint function. Symptoms can range from local tenderness, swelling of soft tissues, bony swelling and restricted mobility to cracking of joints in movement. Osteoarthritis is divided into two categories—primary and secondary. Primary osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition brought about by wear and tear on the body. Secondary osteoarthritis is brought about by predisposing factors such as trauma or previous inflammatory disease of the joint.
General Recommendations
Osteoarthritis sufferers should achieve and maintain normal body weight. Excess weight places an added strain on the weight-bearing joints. For some individuals, symptoms disappear completely after weight loss.
Dietary Modifications
- Try eliminating the nightshade family-tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplant and tobacco. If symptoms improve even slightly, continue to avoid these foods. Though not proven, there is a theory that a long-term low-level consumption of the solanum. Alkaloids found in this family inhibits normal collagen repair in the joints or encourages inflammatory degeneration of the joints.
- Avoid citrus family—lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits. This family, like the nightshade family, is thought to contribute to joint swelling.
- Avoid all refined foods such as white flour, white sugar and preserved and processed foods. Eat a nutritious diet that emphasizes whole grains, legumes (beans, split peas and lentils), seeds, nuts, vegetables, and fruits includes only a small portion of low-fat animal products.
- Significantly decrease your consumption of sweets and alcohol.
- Consider testing for food allergies.
- Check for hydrochloric acid deficiency. Seek medical advice in this regard.
- Try a juice fast, which has been shown to be very helpful for arthritis.
Nutrients That Help
- Niacinamide may bring a noticeable improvement within two to six weeks. This nutrient is said to be especially beneficial for degenerative arthritis of the knee.
- Warning : Niacinamide supplements may affect the liver or cause nausea.
- Pantothenic acid may be helpful, as a deficiency of this nutrient has been associated with osteoarthritis.
- Vitamin C may be beneficial.
- Vitamin E may produce effects similar to those of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Methionine is Important in cartilage structures.
- Superoxide dismutase may have therapeutic benefits.
- Copper may be helpful, as a deficiency of this nutrient has been associated with osteoa.
- Bioflavonoids have been shown to be beneficial.
- Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties.
Beneficial Juices
- Broccoli and kale—sources of pantothenic acid.
- Kale, parsley and spinach—sources of Vitamin C.
- Spinach and carrot—sources of Vitamin E.
- Carrot, ginger root and apple—sources of copper.
- Cherry and blueberry—sources of bioflavonoids.
- Pineapple—the only source of bromelain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease characterized by inflammatory changes in joints and related structures. Its symptoms include fatigue, low-grade fever, weakness joint stiffness and pain. There is often severe joint pain, with increased inflammation beginning in small joints and progressively affecting all joints in the body. Evidence exists that rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune reaction in which antibodies develop against components of joint tissues.
Dietary Modifications
- Consume a low-fat, low-calorie diet excluding most animal sources (meat, dairy products and so forth). Studies have shown that patients following this type of diet experienced remission of joint symptoms. A vegetarian diet, excluding all animal sources but fish, has been found to be very beneficial.
- Increase your consumption of cold-water fish, e.g., mackerel, salmon tuna, and sardines. Cod-liver oil may also be beneficial.
- Exclude refined sugar, refined wheat flour, cornflour, salt, strong spices, alcohol, tea and coffee from your diet.
- Identify food allergies.
- Check for low stomach acid (hydrochloric acid). See your doctor for testing.
- One folk remedy calls for drinking basil as a tea. Basil has been used to ease rheumatoid pain.
- Try a Juice fast, which has been shown to help arthritis.
Nutrients That Help
- Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory action.
- Vitamin-E has anti-inflammatory action.
- Vitamin may stabilize the membranes and cells of rheumatoid tissue.
- Pantothenic acid may be helpful, as deficiencies of this nutrient have been found to be directly related to symptoms.
- Copper has anti-inflammatory action.
- Iron may be helpful, as an iron deficiency may be involved. (Supplementation is controversial. Food is the best source.)
- Manganese may have therapeutic benefits.
- Selenium may be helpful, as a deficiency may be involved.
- Sulphur may be helpful, as a deficiency may be involved.
- Zinc may be helpful, as a deficiency may be involved.
- Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Omega-3 fatty acids have therapeutic benefits.
- Superoxide dismutase has anti-inflammatory properties.
Beneficial Juices
Parsley, broccoli and spinach—sources of Vitamin C.
Spinach, carrot and tomato—sources of Vitamin E.
Broccoli, lettuce and cabbage—sources of Vitamin K.
- Broccoli and kale—sources of pantothenic acid.
- Carrot, ginger root and apple—sources of copper.
- Parsley, beet greens and broccoli—sources of iron.
- Spinach, beet greens, carrot, turnip, orange and sources of manganese.
- Ginger root, parsley and carrot—sources of selenium.
- Cabbage and kale—sources of sulphur.
- Ginger root, parsley, garlic and carrot—sources of zinc.
- Pineapple—the only source of bromelain.
- Dark green vegetables—sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Backache
Backache is a common syndrome characterized by pain and tenderness in the muscles or in the muscles attachments to other regions, such as the sacroiliac. Back pain is a signal that something is wrong in the body. It can be caused by infection, disorders of the vertebral column, or a number of other conditions, including stress. Back pain is a sign to take action and seek professional medical advice. There are some things you can do in addition to help the healing process.
General Recommendations
From a psychological standpoint, much can be done to help control back pain. For example, focusing, relaxation methods and biofeed back can all be very helpful. In addition, physical therapy, massage and acupuncture have provided therapeutic benefits. Diet may not have much influence on how one perceives back pain, but it can be very important in the healing process. An exception would be certain herbal remedies that have been used throughout history in the treatment of pain, such as red pepper, clove oil, German chamomile, and wintergreen oil. Traditionally, chestnuts also have been used to relieve backache.
Dietary Modifications
- Reduce your consumption of animal fats. In decreasing your consumption of these fats, you will decrease your intake of arachidonic acid, which contributes to the inflammatory process.
- Eat more fatty cold-waterfish, such as mackerel, herring, and salmon. These fish contain a substance that has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Avoid instant coffee. A study has shown that instant coffee blocks certain receptor sites in the brain that naturally help the body control pain. When these receptor sites are blocked, the body is more susceptible to pain.
- Follow one of the cleansing diets. Many people have experienced pain relief and healing from injuries during and after a cleansing diet.
Nutrients That Help
Vitamin K has shown some promising results in pain management in studies not yet published.
Copper deficiency can contribute to pain perception.
D-phenylalaniwi, an amino acid, may effectively ease chronic pain even when medications offer no relief. Speak to your doctor about supplementation.
Beneficial Juices
Turnip greens, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage and spinach— sources of Vitamin K.
