Nutrition Solutions for Arthritis

Janelle Deeds, CNC, NE, Nutrition Consultant

Arthritis currently affects over 50 million Americans. It is recognized as the leading cause of disability in the United States and is associated with joint pain, loss of mobility, reduced quality of life, and rising costs of healthcare.

Arthritis causes damage to the joints within the body. As a result, you experience pain, swelling, and stiffness. The extent and the patterns of symptoms will differ among the types of arthritis and it’s location in the body. It can occur as a result of a number of factors including infection, trauma, metabolic disturbances and auto-immune disorders.

There are over 100 types of arthritis and related inflammatory joint diseases. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and fibromyalgia are the most common. However, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are becoming most predominant.

A recent client, young male in his late twenties came in to the office with a recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. This is becoming more and more frequent that the youth are suffering from diseases of the older generations. His concern was that he would not be able to keep the degeneration from progressing. With simple diet changes and supplement recommendations we have been able to ‘clean up’ many of the triggers, toxins and exposure that have left his immune system in shambles and that supported the expression of this autoimmune disease.

In another case, a middle aged mother of three presented with extreme fatigue, difficulty digesting her meals, migraines and miserable allergies. Now, this may seem like a lot of symptoms, but this is quite common. Many women feel worn out! Over a three month period, we have been able to work with diet and lifestyle changes to remove foods that were clogging her system and devoid of beneficial nutrients. Her energy level has increased while migraines and allergies are gone.

For years, the medical community believed people had to just live with arthritis and are prescribed Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs(NSAIDs) with significant side effects. However, many are now taking a more holistic approach through diet and lifestyle changes that can help reduce pain, inflammation and provide further symptom relief.

High quality nutrition is essential for healing and vitality. Dietary requirements should include organic whole grains, colorful fruits and vegetables, a plethora of fresh greens and wild fish such as salmon. Pure, clean water throughout the day should be consumed rather than coffee, soda or other non-nutritious beverages. Stress on joints caused by excess weight or obesity can be addressed by eliminating refined sugary sweets, flours and processed foods. Trans-fats and rancid oils also trigger inflammation and pain and should be avoided.

There is so much confusion about what is healthy and what is not. Keep it simple. Eat foods that are closest to the way nature intended. Enjoy the whole piece of fruit instead of the fruit roll up. Vegetables and greens from your local farmers market rather than those flown in from another country or across the country.

The processing and chemicalization of foods are congesting to our organs and causing improper communication within the body’s systems. Many are suffering and beginning the destructive cascade of inflammation at a much younger age.

A mother brought her 2 year old son in to see me. He was having behavior problems, recurring ear infections and allergies. The medical recommendation was to get him started on pharmaceuticals right away, but she chose to make some changes in the foods that she was preparing and add a probiotic such as BioNue. The family is thrilled that he is doing so well and enjoying a much better quality of life.

Exercise is important to both your physical and mental well-being. This may seem difficult while basic daily tasks can be a challenge; however, it is beneficial and promotes the healing process. Walking, swimming and yoga are excellent ways to stay active and loosen up the joints with a minimum of stress.

Nutritional supplements are a valuable tool when it comes to improved health. Vitamin D (Ultra D Complex) is a commonly deficient nutrient supporting immune function and recovery along with an EPA/DHA blend of essential fatty acids (Omegaco-3) to aid in reducing inflammation and a significant enzyme/mineral balance such as ReGenesys to restore metabolic function and proper cell communication.

At HealthWalk, we are able to guide you through the ins and outs of making healthy dietary choices. Our clients find great benefit from combining this with the target specific formulations of our supplemental products. Smart eating along with a comprehensive nutrient program offers our clients cutting edge opportunities to further their path toward health and healing.