Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation and eventual destruction of the cartilage and other tissues in and around the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disease because it causes your immune system to begin to attack normal tissues instead.
Helpful Supplements
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids in fish oil. Studies show fish oils provide relief from stiffness and joint pain.
- Borage and Evening Primrose Oil are rich in Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA), shown to keep inflammation in check.
- Glucosamine Sulfate can be helpful in maintaining and repairing cartilage. Often combined with chondroitin sulfate, which may help block enzymes that destroy cartilage.
- MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is a sulfur compound that is a building block for proteins in the connective tissues of joints. MSM may bring sulfur to inflamed areas, maintain or repair joint cartilage, and act as a pain reliever.
- Cayenne Cream, applied topically to arthritic joints can be a powerful pain reliever. It works to ease pain by depleting the affected area of its substance P (for pain).
- Turmeric (curcumin) has potent anti-Inflammatory effects comparable to both cortisone and the rheumatoid drug phenylbutazone and has virtually no side effects.
- Bromelain enzymes from pineapple, possess anti-inflammatory activity with positive results for RA.
- Double-blind studies have shown that boswellia is as potent as many NSAIDs and may act in a way similar to the new COX-2 inhibitors, such as Celebrex.
- Ginger helps to lower the level of the body’s natural pain-causing compounds called prostaglandins.
- Zinc, an antioxidant mineral, is often low in people with RA. Copper is important to take if you are using zinc long term. It’s also an anti-inflammatory agent and can enhance aspirin’s anti-inflammatory
- Vitamin E levels are often found to be low in the joint fluid of RA patients. This antioxidant vitamin may also help protect joint cells from free-radical damage.
