Arthritis / Osteoporosis - what is it? / what can we do?

Arthritis - inflammation of one or more joints characterised by swelling, warmth, redness of the underlying skin, pain and restriction of motion.

Osteoarthritis - affects the cartilage and lubricating fluid covering articulating surfaces causing underlying bone to thicken and distort. This restricts joint movement, provokes pain, swelling and inflammation. Usually affects load bearing joints, but not always. Causes may be: overuse, injury, age, diet (one in high animal protein and fats creates excess acidity which can be associated with arthritis, calcium metabolism (calcium is not kept in solution but gets deposited in weak areas), toxins from the colon which settle in a weak joint causing inflammation. Circulation to the area is impeded, thus less waste is removed(cleansing)and cell renewal is affected (nutrician). Osteoarthritis is recognised by x-ray by narrowing of the joint space (due to loss of artilage) and the presence of ostephyte (projection of bone that occurs at the sites of cartilage degeneration). Psychologically osteoarthriris can reflect "armouring", or inflexibility.

Osteoporosis - is a gradual loss of bone density causing weakening and brittle bones. This occurs naturally with ageing but can occur earlier as a result of calcium deficiency or oral steroid drugs, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Bone density is maintained by calcium whose metabolism needs calcitonin, produced by the parathyroid glands, and oestrogen: production of these hormones gradually declines with the menopause. Thus more common in women than men.

Water - The cartilage surface of bones in a joint contain much water - the lubricating property utilised allows the two opposing surfaces to glide freely over one another. In a well hydrated cartilage the rate of friction damage is minimal, in a dehydrated cartilage the rate of abrasive damage is increased. Actively growing blood cells in the bone marrow take priority over the cartilage for the available water that goes to the bone structure. The initial pain indicates that the joint is not fully prepared to endure pressure until it it is fully hydrated.

Calcium - Builds strong bones and hard teeth. Essential for blood clotting. Helps muscles and nerves to work. Activates certain enzymes. Foods - milk, bread, flour, cheese, green vegetables. Calcium level controlled by the parathyroid gland. Absorbtion and use requires: Vit D found in fish, liver, oily fish, eggs and milk - which in turn regulates the absorption of calcium in intestine, and calcium in bone marrow.

Thyroxine - Needs iodine present in blood stream. Iodine controls the rate at which we use body energy. Foods -fish, shellfish. Iodised table salt.

recommended - Wholefood diet. Apple cider vinegar with honey in the morning. Epsom salts in hot baths. Excercise - swimming.