What causes arthritis?

What causes arthritis?
When arthritis starts to develop, it means in simple terms, that something
has gone wrong with the affected joint, and this differs depending on the
type of arthritis present. One or more of these factors may be present:
•
Cartilage starts to wear away
•
Lack of protective synovial fluid in the joint cavity
•
Body’s own immune system starts to attack the joints
•
Infection
Free radicals
Free radicals are harmful particles that can cause havoc inside our bodies,
damaging or killing our body’s cells. In particular, free radicals may
contribute to joint deterioration. We regularly take in free radicals through
the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. Smoking
is a major source of free radicals. They are also produced as a natural
by-product of the many reactions that are taking place in your body every
day. Your body can deal with free radicals by taking hold of them and
neutralising them in the body. Antioxidant nutrients are an essential part
of this process.
For more information on our
expert formulations or any
other products, please call us on
freephone 0800 212 742 /
ROI 1890 987 505 (low-cost)
Advanced nutrition for
joint health
Healthy lifestyles
Speedy recoveries
Nutri have been providing specialist
nutritional supplements to health
professionals for over 30 years.
Our comprehensive range includes
innovative formulations for optimal
health maintenance through to chronic
health conditions.
Dietary changes
Nightshade vegetables – A group of vegetables known as the ‘nightshade’
family have been shown to aggravate arthritis in some sufferers. The
easiest way to establish if this is true for you is to exclude them from your
diet for a month and monitor your symptoms for any improvement. The
nightshade family includes tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and aubergines.
Tobacco has also been shown to aggravate symptoms of arthritis.
Food intolerance – For many people, products containing wheat, dairy
and gluten form the mainstay of the diet. Yet intolerance to one or more
of these factors may contribute towards symptoms of arthritis. Your
practitioner will advise if an elimination programme is recommended
for you.
References:
1.
Sostres C, Gargallo CJ et al. Adverse effects of non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, aspirin and coxibs) on upper
gastrointestinal tract
Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2010 Apr; 24(2): 121-32. doi:
10.1016/j.bpg.2009.11.005
2.
Stollberger C, Finsterer J. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in
patients with cardio- or cerebrovascular disorders. Z Kardiol 2003 Sep;
92(9):721-9.
Nutri Advanced Ltd, Botany Business Park,
Whaley Bridge, High Peak, SK23 7DQ
Freephone 0800 212 742
ROI
www.nutri.co.uk
1890 987 505 (low-cost)
Arthritis. The Facts
Conventional treatment
The conventional treatment for arthritis is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs. Whilst NSAIDs offer temporary, symptomatic relief from the pain and
swelling associated with chronic inflammation, they often fail to address
the underlying causes of the problem. Consequently, many patients find
themselves reliant on long-term use. Unfortunately, long-term use of
NSAIDs is widely known to be associated with harmful gastrointestinal,
neurological, renal, cardiovascular and dermatological side effects1,2.
Common debilitating side effects such as gastric ulcers, kidney damage
and cardiovascular effects can develop over time. For physicians therefore,
the benefits and long-term risks of using NSAIDs should be weighed up
carefully.
Many patients therefore seek natural alternatives to support reduced pain
and inflammation, and to address the underlying causes.
Nutritional support
Nutritional support for arthritis may target one of three important areas:
What is arthritis
The word arthritis comes from the Greek ‘arthron’ meaning joint, and
the Latin ‘itis’ meaning inflammation. Arthritis is a chronic condition
characterised by severe joint pain and inflammation. It commonly affects
joints in the hands, and weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips, ankles
and spine. The disease starts with degradation of the joint cartilage
and progressively worsens, triggering inflammation and pain of the
surrounding joint and becoming more severe over time.
•
Reducing inflammation and pain
•
Supporting joint rebuilding and repair
•
Balancing an overactive immune system (if rheumatoid arthritis)
Reducing inflammation and
pain
•
Turmeric, Ginger & Vitamin C – Key ingredients turmeric, ginger,
vitamin C & lemon bioflavonoids together provide a targeted
approach to balancing inflammation and protecting connective tissue
from damaging free radicals. Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of
collagen, an important structural component of joint cartilage.
•
Omega-3s – Omega-3 fatty acids are known to be particularly
important for joint health and for supporting balanced inflammation.
These important fatty acids are found in oily fish such as salmon,
tuna, mackerel and herring. Due to problems with contamination of
most oily fish with heavy metals and PCBs, government guidelines
recommend we limit our oily fish intake to twice a week. To get all the
benefits that oily fish has to offer, it might be wise to supplement daily
with a high quality fish oil that has been thoroughly tested to ensure
purity and stability.
•
Hops Extract, Olive Leaf & Rosemary – A combination of hops,
oleanolic acid from olive oil and rosemary has been found to
beneficially support joint health without the side effects commonly
associated with conventional medication.
There are 2 main types of arthritis:
•
Osteoarthritis mainly affects the large weight-bearing joints, such
as the knees and hips. Joint cartilage loses its elasticity and so is
more easily damaged and gradually wears away. Tendons and
ligaments become painfully stretched and eventually the bones
may start to rub against each other causing severe pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis – An auto-immune condition where the immune
system attacks the protective joint synovial membrane causing swelling
and pain. This can lead to deformity of the joints if left untreated. It is
significantly more common in women than men and mainly affects the
smaller joints, such as those in the hand and fingers.
Balancing an over active
immune system:
•
Hops Extract with Zinc & Vitamin D – Hops extract combined with
zinc and vitamin D may help to support patients suffering from forms
of arthritis where imbalances in the immune system are present.
Vitamin D in particular has been found to be at worryingly low levels
in much of the population, yet is a critical nutrient for balanced
immune function and balanced inflammation. Since the major source
of vitamin D is sunshine, not food, the easiest, safest and most
effective way to quickly improve levels is through supplementation.
Vitamin D is best supplemented in the form of D3 (cholecalciferol), the
form naturally produced in the skin on contact with sunshine.
Providing ingredients for joint
rebuilding & repair:
•
Glucosamine, Chondroitin & Organic Sulphur - Conventional
medication supports reduced pain and inflammation, yet invariably
it fails to address the root cause. Healthy, optimally functioning joints
require a steady supply of supportive nutrients to regain and maintain
optimal function. Glucosamine, chondroitin and organic sulphur are
all essential nutrients for the formation of vital connective tissue
substances. A synergistic combination of glucosamine sulphate,
chondroitin sulphate and methyl-sulphonyl-methane (MSM) therefore
supplies, in supplemental form, some of the key raw ingredients
needed for rebuilding and repair.
•
Natural Eggshell Membrane, Vitamin C & Manganese – Natural
eggshell membrane is emerging as an exciting new ingredient
to support joint health. It is composed of naturally occurring
glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid and is a natural source
of collagen – all powerful bioactive molecules which are known to
support joint health and flexibility. Manganese and vitamin C are
essential for the formation of joint cartilage and have been extensively
studied for their key roles as important antioxidant nutrients.