Do you feel excruciating pains in your joints, as your bones rub on each other? Do you lie awake all night praying for sleep just to escape the gnawing pains? Or do you experience any of the following: Fatigue, joint tenderness, joint swelling, joint redness, joint heat, joint stiffness, or loss of joint range of motion?
I am guessing correctly that you are battling with arthritis.
The rains are here again. But, DO NOT PANIC! Help has come your way now. Just stay with me till the end of this piece.
Arthritis occurs as a pain or inflammation and/or a wearing away of the joints.
It comes in any of these two forms:
- Osteoarthritis; and
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a deformation produced when the cartilage between the bones wears away to the point where the cartilage can disappear, causing the bones to rub up against each other, particularly in the hands and knees.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the type that extends to the whole body. It is characterised by the inflammation of the cartilage and synovial membranes where there is loss of synovial fluid (an oily liquid) that serves to lubricate and protect against friction and deterioration of the bones.
This cold weather or humid climate is not usually ideal for those dealing with arthritis, as it increases the pains. Movement is difficult and it could cause deformation in the hands, knees and/or feet.
Now, here’s the suggested treatment:
It is recommended to eliminate red meats.
(Red meats contain a fatty acid called aracidonic acid. This acid contributes greatly to the inflammation of the tissues). A vegetarian diet impedes and blocks the process whereby aracidonic acid is converted into inflammatory prostaglandins.
Please eliminate alcohol, cigarettes and other toxic elements.
Allergies to certain foods can produce inflammation in the joints. The most common are flour, sugar, whole milk, potatoes and black pepper.
Avoid margarine and fried foods.
Take fish oil from cod, fresh water fish, which contains polyunsaturated fatty acids(EPA) beneficial fats like Omega 3, also Omega 6 and Omega 9, or oleic acid found in olive oil.
This is why it is recommended to eat lots of fish such as sardines, tuna, salmon in addition to large amounts of olive oil.
It has been found that cranberries, from the same family as blackberries, strawberries and cherries, principally of a dark violet-blue colour, contain bioflavonoids which act as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidizing agents (nectar of aloe vera with cranberries strengthens and multiplies its results). Consume this in large quantities! Very beneficial for gout.
Other elements that have been effective against rheumatoid arthritis are:
Selenium, a powerful antioxidant that plays an important part in blocking the production of inflammatory prostaglandins.
Vitamin E, when combined with selenium, makes it more powerful.
Zinc, vitamin C and magnesium
Ginseng
Mrs Chima Ejimofor is the Lead Partner of Infinite Health Consult, and is available for the purchase of these Nutritional Supplements, Health Talks and Wellness Seminars. She is based in Lagos, Nigeria. Telephone/WhatsApp: 07033179632, email: infinitehealthconsult@gmail.com
