| Conventional medicine treats arthritis symptoms, not | | | | DHA oil supplement daily. Increase your consumption |
| underlying causes, but you can do better than that. | | | | of fatty fish and omega-3 eggs. Stop taking the oil |
| Most doctors consider arthritis to be an autoimmune | | | | two weeks before having surgery. |
| disease that triggers inflammation, stiffness and pain. | | | | *Supplement with Vitamin D! A recent study found |
| There are many variations including tendinitis, | | | | that women whose diets were highest in vitamin D |
| rheumatoid, fibromyalgia, lupus, osteoarthritis, and | | | | had the lowest incidence of rheumatoid arthritis. |
| gout. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs focus | | | | Vitamin D helps balance the immune system. In |
| on treating symptoms, but all drugs have negative | | | | northern climates between mid-October and the end |
| side-effects. At the bare minimum, since drugs must | | | | of March, supplement with 1000 IU daily. |
| be processed by your liver, they'll put a strain on this | | | | *Colorful berries - blueberries, raspberries, |
| already overworked organ. | | | | strawberries, cranberries and two other foods - acai |
| What causes arthritis and can it be helped by natural | | | | berries and cherries act like aspirin in their |
| remedies? | | | | anti-inflammatory abilities. Eat as many as you want, |
| Since the resources of our modern health system | | | | unless you have a history of kidney stones, in which |
| have focused on treating symptoms with drugs for | | | | case, avoid them. |
| so long, no one knows for certain what causes | | | | *Eat more fresh pineapple which contains bromelain, a |
| arthritis pain and other symptoms for every person. | | | | compound with anti-inflammatory properties. |
| However, over the years a body of knowledge has | | | | *Take a good quality probiotic supplement to |
| built up that can help ease symptoms naturally and | | | | improve your digestive health. |
| address what appear to be underlying causes. | | | | Note: Consult with your doctor if you take blood |
| The best natural remedies start with internal cleansing | | | | thinners like warfarin or Coumadin before using |
| to remove built-up toxins, with the next step being | | | | ginger, curcumin and Omega 3-6-9 oils daily. |
| improved nutrition - eating foods known for their | | | | An arthritis-friendly diet avoids these foods: |
| healing effects. The third significant factor, and it | | | | *Canned salmon and tuna - acids in these foods react |
| could very well be the most important, is to take an | | | | with acids in metal |
| honest look at the body-mind connection to your | | | | *White rice, milk, dairy products, red meat, caffeine, |
| stiffness and pain. | | | | citrus fruits, paprika, salt, tobacco and everything |
| What does 'body-mind connection' mean? There is an | | | | that contains sugar. |
| important connection between your emotional state | | | | *Nightshade vegetables (peppers, eggplant, |
| and the state of your body's health. Some | | | | tomatoes, white potatoes). These foods contain a |
| practitioners believe that a lack of acceptance and | | | | substance called solanine, to which some people, |
| love for ourselves is the main factor behind all | | | | particularly those suffering from arthritis, are highly |
| disease and discomforts. | | | | sensitive. Solanine interferes with enzymes in the |
| If you have arthritis, or any condition, ask yourself | | | | muscles and may cause pain and discomfort. |
| what was going on in your life in the one to two | | | | *Iron supplements, or a multivitamin containing iron. |
| years before you developed symptoms? Are you | | | | Iron is suspected of being involved in pain, swelling |
| open and flexible to considering new ideas, or are | | | | and joint destruction. Consume iron in foods instead. |
| you closed and judgmental? | | | | Good sources include blackstrap molasses, broccoli, |
| Arthritis has a significant body-mind connection - | | | | Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, fish, lima beans and |
| between how rigidly you view yourself, your life and | | | | peas. |
| others and how your body manifests these rigid | | | | *Acid-forming foods which damage nerve tissues |
| attitudes in pain and stiffness. Notice what happens | | | | such as: |
| as you develop a softer, more accepting opinion of | | | | * Manmade and processed foods |
| yourself and others and cultivate a more positive | | | | * White wine |
| outlook on life. If you suffer from osteoarthritis you | | | | * Coffee |
| probably have a tendency to feel victimized and | | | | * Orange juice |
| blame others for your unhappiness. Osteoarthritis can | | | | * White flour |
| indicate that you are feeling unloved and criticized. | | | | * Animal proteins |
| Instead of looking outside yourself for happiness, | | | | Other important strategies for easing or eliminating |
| love and validation, practice being more loving and | | | | arthritis: |
| accepting of yourself. | | | | *Get regular moderate exercise, which is essential for |
| If you've had arthritis for years, the contributing | | | | reducing pain and retarding joint deterioration. Regular |
| factor of a build-up of waste (toxins) in your body's | | | | activity that does not put stress on affected joints, |
| tissues can be removed through nutritional cleansing | | | | but strengthens surrounding bones, muscles and |
| which, over time, may provide a significant easing of | | | | ligaments is valuable for many types of arthritis. |
| stiffness and pain as your body systems normalize. | | | | Bicycle riding, walking, Tai Chi and water exercises |
| Once you've removed toxins through cleansing, you | | | | are good choices. Avoid running, weight-bearing or |
| can find noticeable improvement if you practice these | | | | impact exercises. |
| 10 healthy eating habits: | | | | *Do an activity you love such as swimming, a hobby |
| *Eat more whole, raw, unprocessed foods. | | | | or interacting with people who are joyful. |
| *Switch to fresh, local, organically grown foods to | | | | *Learn how to do Emotional Freedom Techniques |
| clear impurities. | | | | (EFT) to neutralize energy blocks in your body. Work |
| *Juice fresh celery and carrots with a few sprigs of | | | | with an experienced practitioner for maximum |
| fresh parsley and drink daily to neutralize wastes | | | | benefit. |
| circulating in your system. | | | | *Choose and use positive affirmations several times |
| *Ginger has strong anti-inflammatory properties, but | | | | a day. E.g. "I am loved. I now choose to love and |
| take the extract with food to avoid potential | | | | approve of myself. I see others with love." (From |
| heartburn. Dose: 1 tsp fresh root or 1 g. powdered | | | | Louise Hay's book "You Can Heal Your Life"). |
| root added to food. Or steep two tbsp. freshly | | | | *Honor and value yourself by making your well being |
| shredded ginger for 15 minutes to make a potent | | | | a priority every day. |
| tea. | | | | *Simplify your life - get your priorities straight. |
| *Curcumin reduces inflammation and enhances the | | | | *Resolve whatever conflict is stealing your energy |
| effects of anti-inflammatory medications. It is the | | | | and enthusiasm for life. |
| active ingredient in Turmeric, which is used to make | | | | *Look for and accept the lesson from everything |
| curry. Use 1 tsp in your food every day. | | | | that happens to you - 'good' or 'bad'. |
| *Take a balanced blend of Omega 3-6-9 oils every | | | | *Forgive others for what they did or should have |
| day to help manage arthritis symptoms. Omega-3 | | | | done. |
| fats from fish and fish oil supplements lower | | | | *Most of all forgive yourself. |
| inflammation to reduce joint stiffness. Take 1 g. EPA | | | | |