Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (126 page)

Try an elimination-provocation diet.
Follow the directions outlined in
Chapter 15
. For best results, work with a nutritionist or physician who is familiar with food sensitivity protocols.

Try the Nightshade Diet.
In the 1970s, Norman Childers, a horticulturist, popularized the Nightshade Diet. Elimination of nightshade foods helps only about 15 percent of people with arthritis, but the people who respond are usually helped a great deal. The nightshade foods are potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers (red, green, yellow, and chili). An elimination diet of two weeks followed by a reintroduction of these foods provides a good test. Blood testing also picks up these sensitivities.

Try yucca.
Yucca has been used by Native Americans of the Southwest to alleviate symptoms of arthritis and improve digestion. It’s a rich source of saponins with anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have been done with both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis with significant improvement in 56 to 66 percent of the people who tried it. People taking yucca for more than one and a half years had the additional advantage of improved triglyceride and cholesterol levels and reduction
in high blood pressure, with no negative side effects. Take two to eight tablets daily.

Take cetyl myristoleate (CM).
Harry Diehl, a researcher at the National Institutes of Health, found that mice did not develop arthritis when CM was given. When he himself developed arthritis, Diehl took CM and his arthritis resolved. Jonathan Wright, M.D., has found CM to be clinically valuable in about half of his patients. CM appears to actually cure arthritis in many instances. I was able to find two studies on CM that had astounding results. CM was found to be best used in combination with glucosamine sulfate, sea cucumber, and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Recommended duration of use is two to four weeks. Carbonated beverages, caffeine, chocolate, and cigarettes are not allowed while taking CM and its associated supplements.

Take vitamin C ascorbate.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for every anti-arthritis program. It is vital for formation of cartilage and collagen, a fibrous protein that forms strong connective tissue necessary for bone strength. Vitamin C also plays a role in immune response, helping protect us from disease-producing microbes. Many types of arthritis are caused by microbes, which vitamin C helps combat. It also inhibits formation of inflammatory prostaglandins, helping to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant and free radical scavenger; free radical formation has been noted in arthritic conditions. Take 1 to 3 grams daily in an ascorbate or ester form. For best results, try a vitamin C flush weekly for four weeks. (See
Chapter 10
.)

Increase omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils.
Fish oils come from cold-water fish and contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The fish with the highest levels are salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines, tuna, and herring. These omega-3 fatty acids are essential because we cannot synthesize them and must obtain them from our foods. Fish oils inhibit production of inflammatory prostaglandin E2 series, cyclooxygenase, and thromboxane A2, all of which come from arachidonic acid. Fish oils shift the production to thromboxane A3, which causes less constriction of blood vessels and platelet stickiness than thromboxane A2. Research has shown fish oils are really helpful for some people with arthritis, reducing morning stiffness and joint tenderness. Fish oil capsules produce moderate but definite improvement in arthritic diseases at dosages from 8 to 20 capsules daily. Similar results can be obtained by eating fish with high EPA/DHA two to four times a week. Because fish oils increase blood clotting time, they should not be used by people who have hemophilia or who take anticoagulant medicines or aspirin regularly. High dosages in capsule form should be monitored by a physician.

Take gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) (RA).
In one study, patients with rheumatoid arthritis were given 1.4 grams of GLA from borage oil daily. It significantly reduced their symptoms: swollen joints by 36 percent, tenderness by 45 percent, swollen joint count by 28 percent, and swollen joint score by 41 percent. (Some people responded in more than one area.) Use of evening primrose oil in the study group and olive oil for the control group showed that both oils helped reduce pain and morning stiffness. Several people were able to reduce use of NSAIDs, but none were able to stop the medication. The modest results in this study were probably due to the use of NSAIDs with the evening primrose oil. The same results could be obtained by use of evening primrose or borage oil alone. Take 1,400 mg.

Take and/or eat ginger.
Ginger is an old Ayurvedic remedy that was given to people with RA and OA. In one study it reduced pain and swelling in various amounts in 75 percent of the people tested, with no reported side effects over three months to two and a half years. Ginger can be used as an ingredient in food and tea or taken as a supplement. Take 2 ounces fresh ginger or 3,000 to 7,000 mg powdered ginger daily.

Take niacinamide.
Most of the B-complex vitamins have been shown to reduce inflammation and swelling associated with arthritis. Dr. Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D., an expert on arthritis, recommends using niacinamide at a rather high dosage with excellent results. It doesn’t cure the arthritis, but it really helps while you take it. If you are going to try this, do so with your physician’s supervision. High levels of niacinamide can be liver toxic. Take 250 to 500 mg daily. Soft gel capsules are recommended. Make sure to get a brand without colors, preservatives, or solvents.