Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease:  the body produces an antibody response against its own tissues, in this case, the joints.  This disease occurs 2-3 times more frequently in women than men, usually between the ages of 35 and 45, but may occur at any age.

What are the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

·         Morning stiffness

·         Inflammation

·         Painful swelling

·         Possible fatigue, anemia, weight loss, fever, and numbness and tingling of hands and feet

·         In later stages, erosion of joints and deformity

Which joints are most often affected?

The hands, elbows, knees, and ankles are the most common joints affected; it often begins in the smaller joints and then moves to the larger joints.

Stages of Progression

Stage 1:  Inflammation (of joint capsule; produces tenderness)

Small blood vessels around the joint are injured in a way that allows cells and fluids to leak out and invade the tissues.

The immune system reacts vigorously by producing inflammation and its side effects.

Immune cells collect and produce powerful chemicals that impair production of proteoglycans that protect the cartilage.  The proteoglycans become defective and the cartilage becomes less flexible.

           

Stage 2:  Reaction of Abnormal Cell Growth (erosion then destruction of cartilage and bone)

Fluids that have invaded stimulate the production of abnormal immune system cells.

Other WBC’s phagocytize these complexes of abnormal immune cells.

As a result of abnormal chemical and immune mechanisms, the joint is then attacked. 

Some of the chemicals released (more than 60 enzymes) can dissolve cartilage, connective tissue, DNA, and even bone.

Stage 3:  Fibrous Ankylosis (Deformities, Crippling, Osteoporosis)

The tissues under attack attempt to replace themselves. 

This can lead to fibrosis (replacement by tough fibrous tissue) which makes the joint stiff, possibly deformed, and restricted in mobility and function.

Stage 4:  Bony Ankylosis

The whole joint may become fixed in whatever position it arrives at. 

There may be total destruction of the cartilage, the bones, tendons, ligaments which are replaced with fibrous or bony substitution.

This process may take months or years to completion.  Signs and symptoms may come and go.  Patterns are varied and rarely the same.

What causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Science has not proven the cause or causes.  However, a number of possible causes and contributing factors have been suggested by research.

• Physical and mental stress, overwork, a sedentary lifestyle and acute infection have all been associated with the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis (perhaps because all could contribute to destruction of the thoroughfare channel which nourishes the joint).
• A high protein diet of fish meal was found to cause Rheumatoid Arthritis with deformities in pigs.  Many people experience symptoms in reaction to meat and dairy products.
• In one study rabbits developed joint lesions after being given cow’s milk to drink.
• Grade A pasteurized milk may have a live germ count of 10,000 germs per 15 drops and a dead germ count of 200-400 thousand or more.  These germs, dead and alive, use up the immune system’s capacity to fight.  In healthy people enzymes of the digestive system should destroy viruses and germs within the bowels but in rheumatoid arthritics there is evidence that the bowel wall is not as tight as it should be; it permits larger, damaging particles to pass into the blood. 
• Therefore, the fewer the germs in the diet the better.  Some research indicates that RA is an infection and the infectious agent is found in milk. 
• Some of the pain and inflammation of arthritis may be related to arachidonic acid, one of the fats occurring in meat and fish of all kinds.  It causes the production of aggressive erosive chemicals that attack joint cells and tend to produce more severe inflammation.  Excesses of vegetable oils can also contribute to arachidonic acid in the tissues. 
• A diet high in corn, sesame, safflower, or sunflower oils produces #2 prostaglandins, chemicals in the body which cause spasms of blood vessels, clots, and inflammation.
• In one study a low fat diet eliminated the symptoms associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  This would indicate that a high fat diet may cause them.
• Sludged blood (thick and sticky) from meat, excess sugar, and alcohol cannot circulate through the joints freely.
• Environmental poisons and some drugs can compromise the capacity of the immune system.
• One study found that 86% of rheumatoid arthritics had an onset of symptoms in response to food allergies.  Some patients were allergic to as many as 10 different foods.  Common allergy foods are cheese, milk, eggs, sugar, gluten (found in wheat, rye, and oats), chocolate, tea, coffee, corn, pork and foods in the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and tobacco).
• There is some evidence that RA can be caused by a virus carried by dogs, cats, birds, and other sick animals.
• Many other viruses and bacteria have been suspected to cause Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Zinc deficiency may contribute to this disease.

Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 388.  “Cancer, tumors, and all inflammatory diseases are largely caused by meat eating”

Treatment

·         Exclude all possible allergy foods from the diet.

·         Eat a low fat diet.  Fat compromises the immune system and its ability to fight arthritis.  The diet should include those foods which are high in Omega 3 fats (linolenic acid) which produce helpful prostaglandins.  These include flax seed, walnuts, greens, soy beans, and olives.

·         Exclude all animal products from the diet.  Meat and fish are high in protein and produce arachidonic acid which attacks the joints.  Milk (which may contain viruses which contribute or cause Rheumatoid Arthritis), is high in protein and fat, compromises the immune system because of germ content, and is a common allergy food.

·         Eat a low sugar diet; sugar compromises the immune system and thickens the blood.

·         A salt free diet has been found to be helpful in controlling this disease.

·         Eating a lot of vegetables, especially raw, have been found to be beneficial to Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.

·         A diet high in antioxidants, especially selenium, Vitamin E complex, and Vitamin C would boost the immune system.  Vitamin E complex is found mainly in whole grains.  These assist the body in destroying free radicals which are often produced in the body and attack the joints.

·         Zinc deficiencies may be a problem in Rheumatoid Arthritis.  The diet should include as many as possible of the following high zinc foods:  whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes.  Zinc is especially high in wheat germ, sesame seeds, peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, soy beans, almonds, walnuts, and some peas and lentils.  Supplements can reduce the utilization of copper which creates other problems.

·         Many Rheumatoid Arthritis patients are anemic.  Their diet should include iron rich foods such as beans and dark leafy greens.  Supplements can increase arthritic symptoms.

·         Fasting can free the patient of symptoms.  Then they can begin a simple diet adding 1 or 2 foods at a time to see which foods produce symptoms.

·         To improve digestion, meals should be regular, natural, simple, and well-chewed.  An excellent diet builds a superior quality of blood.  Overeating may produce toxins which can be harmful to the joints.

·         Overweight arthritics should lose weight.

·         Maintaining good posture is important.

·         General health and well-being of all systems of the body can contribute to optimum functioning of the joints.

·         Sunshine improves the circulation in the joints and forms Vit. D which is needed in bone formation and prevention of osteoporosis in the joint.  It also improves general functioning of the body.

·         Hydrotherapy can be very helpful:

·         Cold towels may be used to reduce acute inflammation and congestion. 

·         An ice rub can be done over painful spots.

·         Moist heat may be used for more sub-acute and chronic problems.  The connective tissue of the joints becomes more flexible by the use of moist heat.  Heat also relieves pain.

·         A hot and cold cycle 3-5 times can improve circulation and reduce pain.

·         The patient should use what works best for him or her.

·         Range Of Motion exercises should be carried out on every joint each day.  It is best done after hydrotherapy. 

·         Light exercise is essential for health of the joints.

·         Splints may be applied to the joints when not exercising.

·         Massage is useful for the lymphatic and circulatory function of the joint.  Massage should be done only on the surrounding muscles, not on the joints themselves, and  not if the joint is acutely inflamed. 

·         Charcoal poultices at night may help reduce inflammation.

·         The joints should be kept warm at all times.

·         Complete bed rest is important in cases of acute Rheumatoid Arthritis; 2-4 hours of rest per day may be adequate for cases of mild Rheumatoid Arthritis.  The bed must be firm.  A regular sleeping schedule with plenty of sleep before midnight will improve the production of growth hormone which is needed for repair of the joint.

·         Physical Therapy is helpful in many cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis.