ArthritisWestern medicine distinguishes two types of arthritis: osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although common in modern civilization, these disorders occur very rarely or not at all in some so-called primitive cultures. The rheumatoid variety only occurs in cultures consuming grain-based diets. Osteoarthritis involves degeneration of the cartilage, and typically occurs on only one side of the body; for example, you will have one arthritic knee, not both. The Merck Manual Online states that “Normal joints have little friction with movement and do not wear out with typical use, overuse, or trauma.” This implies that osteoarthritic joints must have some abnormality. However, conventional medicine does not offer any explanation for osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves autoimmune activity wherein the individual's immune system attacks the joint tissues. RA usually affects the joints bilaterally, so for example it will occur in both hands. The Merck Manual states “Although RA involves autoimmune reactions, the precise cause is unknown; many factors may contribute.” Both types of arthritis involve pathological calcium deposits in the joints, and patients commonly have both arthritis and arteriosclerosis involving calcium deposits in the arteries. This indicates that both types involve an imbalance of nutrients required for proper utilization of calcium. Below I will discuss dietary factors contributing to RA. Acupuncture Acupuncture treatment can reduce the pain and inflammation associated with either OA or RA by promoting the flow of blood to and from the affected area. However it does not promote recovery of degenerative cartilage or reduce autoimmune reactions by itself. Treatment of the underlying inflammation and in the case of RA autoimmune activity requires the use of herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, and dietary changes. Herbal Medicine Herbal medicines provide anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects to reduce arthritic pain, inflammation, and stiffness. In a study [abstract here ] done at Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, researchers randomly assigned 90 RA patients to receive a traditional Chinese herbal medicine formula (SQDD) or methotrexate (MTX) with 45 cases in each group. After 24 weeks of treatment, the group treated with herbal medicine had reductions in symptoms and signs similar to the methotrexate group. "The patient's global assessment and physician's global assessment, morning stiffness, grip strength, tender joint count, swollen joint count and the levels of ESR, CRP and anti-CCP antibody in SQDD and MTX groups were improved significantly as compared with those before treatment, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. The efficacy of MTX in improving rest pain and joint tenderness was better than that of SQDD (P<0.05). The incidence rate of adverse reactions in SQDD group was 9.75%(4/41), significantly lower than 32.5% (13/40) in MTX group (P<0.05)." Thus, the herbal medicine treatment produced similar relief to MTX, with one-quarter the adverse effects. Teekachunhatean et al compared the Chinese herbal formula Duhuo Jisheng Wan (DJW) with the analgesic diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee [full text here ]. They concluded that "DJW demonstrates clinically comparable efficacy to diclofenac after 4 weeks of treatment." Nutrition Inflammation of the joints may arise from inflammation of the gut. Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins found in grains, beans, and potatoes. Some evidence indicates that high intakes of dietary lectins may cause gut inflammation and trigger the auto-immune reactions found in RA. Some individuals have reversed RA eating a paleolithic diet. Both types of joint inflammation involve pathological calcium deposits. Vitamins A, D3, and K2 all regulate the metabolism and deposition of calcium. Current research suggests that deficiencies of D3 and K2 may contribute to arthritis, including RA. Excessive intake of carbohydrates and vegetable oils creates a generally inflammatory condition in the body. Supplementation of glucosamine sulfate can relieve and reduce the progression of OA.
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