Treatment Strategis for Specific Ailments
Natural remedies for Arthritis |
Arthritis, whether it be osteo or rheumatoid, causes damage to the joint due to prolonged inflammatory states. Osteo arthritis refers to the gradual breakdown of articular cartilage within weight bearing joints such as the hips and knees. It is also common to see it in the wrists and fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by immune responses. Initially an arthritogenic microbial agent infects the host and primes CD4+ cells to release pro-inflammatory cytokines. This reaction continues long after the infectious agent has been defeated and causes recurrent flare-ups during the hosts life. This inflammatory response from the immune system is what detroys the tissue within the joints.
Remedies of use:
Essential fatty acids:
Essential fatty acids are a vital inclusion in the treatment protocol of arthritis of both types. This is because they will manipulate the body’s own inflammatory mediators - the prostaglandins. There are 3 types of prostaglandins. These are series 1,2, and 3. Now, series 1 and 3 are anti-inflammatory agents, whereas series 2 are pro-inflammaory agents. Essential fatty acids omega 3,6,7,and 9 are metabolised through the arachidonic acid pathway (as with all fats) and, depending on their type will increase the production of series 1 and 3 prostaglandins, thus increasing the level of these anti-inflammatory compounds and reducing the severity of the inflammatory response within the joint.
Glucosamine:
This supplement has really been marketed to death in recent years. Glucosamine is a molecule that the body actually makes itself out of glucose and an amine and is involved in incorporating sulpher into the cartilage structure. It appears that the production of this molecule reduces with age. Its major application is in osteoarthritis. As has been previously discussed, osteoarthritis involves degredation of the protective cartilage within joints. Glucosamine helps to some degree to regenerate this cartilage. Glucosamine also offers a pain relieving action that is comparible to aspirin.
Turmeric:
This again is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, comparable in effectiveness to hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone. Turmeric can inhibit cortisone metabolism in the liver, therefore an elevated level of cortisone in the general circulation ensues. There is also an inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase and lipopolysaccharide induced tumor necrosis factor. In common with essential fatty acids, this herb reduces the production of series 2 prostaglandins.
Devils claw:
This herb hailing from Africa is growing in populariity here in the west. Again, this herb is a potent anti-inflammatory. It is theorised that this effect is due to an inhibitory effect upon cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase by the constituent harpagoside.