General Considerations
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune reaction in which antibodies develop against components of joint tissues. RA is a classic example of a multifactorial disease, wherein an assortment of genetic and environmental factors contribute to the disease process. Standard medical therapy is of limited value in treating most cases of RA, as it fails to address the complex underlying causes of this disease. Diet has been strongly implicated in rheumatoid arthritis for many years, both in regard to cause and cure. Elimination of allergenic foods has been shown to offer significant benefit to some individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Altered gastrointestinal tract flora has been linked to RA and other autoimmune diseases.
Pre-Disposing Factors:
a. Virus
b. Yeast
c. Parasites (bowel or systemic amoebic).
d. Food/environmental sensitivity resulting in inflammation.
e. Hypochlordria (low HCL in the stomach) resulting in macro-molecular protein absorption and digestive inflammation, i.e. Leaky Gut Syndrome
f. Heavy metal body burden.
g. Genetic pre-disposition.
General Recommendations
RA is a disease known to have many contributing factors. Effective treatment using natural therapies requires controlling as many of these factors as possible. Foremost is the use of dietary measures to reduce the causes and ameliorate the symptoms of RA. Symptomatic relief can also be attained through the use of standard physical therapy techniques (i.e., exercise, heat, cold,odessage, diathermy, and paraffin baths), anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), and nutrients.
Rheumatoid arthritis is often an aggressive disease that needs aggressive treatment. In mild-to-moderate cases of RA, the physical measures listed in the previous paragraph are extremely effective on their own. In severe cases, NSAIDs and other drugs may be necessary — at least in the acute phase. However, we encourage our patients not to abandon the natural measures, as they will actually enhance the effectiveness of the drugs, resulting in lower dosages.
NOTE:
When you have your blood chemistries performed your physician will order a RA-Factor test as well as other tests to confirm the diagnosis, also make sure to get a DHEA blood test.
Physical therapy (i.e., exercise, heat, cold, massage, diathermy, lasers, and paraffin baths) has a major role in the management of RA.
Dietary Recommendations
The first step is a therapeutic fast or an elimination diet with a week of detoxification, followed by careful reintroduction of foods to detect allergens. Virtually any food can aggravate RA, but the most common offenders are wheat, corn, milk and other dairy products, beef, and nightshade family (Solanaceae) foods (tomato, potato, eggplant, peppers, and tobacco).
After isolating and eliminating all allergens, a generally healthy diet is recommended: rich in whole foods, vegetables, and fiber, and low in sugar, meat, refined carbohydrates, and animal fats. Foods particularly beneficial for the RA patient include: cold-water fish (mackerel, herring, sardines, and salmon) and flavonoid-rich berries (cherries, hawthorn berries, blueberries, blackberries, etc.).
A vegetarian diet has been shown to produce significant benefits in treating RA. In the dietary treatment of RA, the importance of consuming a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables cannot be overstated. Several natural anti-inflammatory compounds (e.g., curcumin, bromelain, and ginger) have shown positive effects in treating RA.
a. Eliminate all refined carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates high in fast acting sugars, alcohol and caffeine containing foods such as coffee, tea, cola and chocolate.
b. Eliminate all hydrogenated fats and oils. IUse extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and fish oils as your only source of dietary oils
c. Drink at least A MOUTHFULL of water every 30 minutes while awake (use only distilled water and avoid tap water).
d. Avoid all canned, frozen and processed foods.
e. Increase proteins and raw vegetables especially fish and sea vegetables.
f. If fruit juices are used, insure they are cut 50 percent with distilled water and kept to not more than 8 ounces daily.
g. On a 21-day trial basis, eliminate all dairy products (except butter) and gluten containing grains. If improvement is not noted, they may be returned to the diet on a limited basis.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Primary Supplements:
1. BIO-IMMUNOZYME FORTE – 1 tablet, 3 times daily after meals.
2. BIO?C PLUS 1000 – 1 tablet, 3 times daily after meals.
3. M S M POWDER – 1/2 teaspoonful 2 to 4 times daily depending on the severity of symptoms. NOTE: Always take MSM with your Vitamin C.
4. Eat naturally occuring saturated fats like half & half, heavy cream, real ice cream, butter. Stay away from the man-made saturated fats like margarine, Crisco, etc. Also, stay away from all oils except extra virgin olive oil, palm kernal oil & the healthiest oil of all, Coconut Oil.
5. HYDRO-ZYME – 3 to 5 tablets WITH each meal.
6. EMULSION 200 – 2 capsules once daily after a meal.
FOR THE 1ST MONTH – DETOX PROGRAM
a) M C S – 2 capsules after breakfast and 1 capsule after lunch for 1 month.
b) BETA TCP – 2 tablets, 3 times daily after meals.
c) A D H S – 2 tablets after breakfast and 1 tablet after lunch. Do not take after 1PM.
d) 21ST CENTURY HOMEOPATHICS REMEDY # 1 – Detoxification – 1 capful daily until all the bottle is taken.
AFTER DETOXIFICATION, BEGIN WITH SPECIFIC NUTRIENTS.
Specific Supplements: When symptoms or condition begins to subside, gradually, as needed, wean yourself from the Specific Nutrients & stay on the Primary Nutrients. If any symptoms re-occur resume Specific Nutrients.
7. BUTYRIC-CAL-MAG – 2 capsules, 3 times daily after meals (for 2 months, then discontinue).
8. I P S (Intestinal Permeability Support) – 2 capsules, 3 times daily after meals (for 2 months, then discontinue).
9. ZN-ZYME FORTE 25mg – 2 tablets daily after a meal.
10. A D P – 2 tablets, 3 times daily after meals for one month for general gut dysbiosis.
ADDENDUM:
DHEA levels in people with RA are below normal levels. So depending on your blood levels you may want to supplement with DHEA at 60mg per day.
Rheumatoid Arthritis like other autoimmune states requires patience and diligence. It has been my experience that the above noted program is very effective for this condition.
Once most of the symptoms are eliminated (usually about 2 to 3 months) you can discontinue supplements 8 through 12 and remain on the Primary Supplement program.
ADDENDUM
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