Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an auto-immune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Currently, over three million Americans are afflicted with this disorder - two-thirds of them are women. Most often it occurs in the third or fourth decades of life, but rheumatoid arthritis also affects many young people, as well.
Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by fatigue, weakness, low-grade fever, joint swelling, and stiffness. This joint swelling can occur with our without pain. Joint destruction begins with an attack on the tissue surrounding the joint that produces the lubricating synovial fluid. The resultant damage to this tissue, or synovium, causes inflammation and swelling. The damaged synovium heals with the production of scar tissue. Over time, the scar tissue proliferates to the point where it starts to grow into the joint itself and do damage to the cartilage. The joint space eventually narrows - as in osteoarthritis - and in severe cases, the bones can fuse together.
No one knows for sure why the immune system goes astray. There are several theories that have been presented over the years. These include genetic factors, nutritional factors, food allergies, microorganisms, and - one that I find most interesting - abnormal permeability of the intestinal wall, or leaky gut syndrome.
This abnormal permeability allows partially digested food through the intestinal walls and into the bloodstream. These undigested food particles are eventually deposited throughout the body's tissues. The body sees these food particles as dangerous substances, or allergens, and produces antibodies in what's called an allergic reaction. At this point, a disturbance occurs. The white blood cells that are designed to clean up the cellular debris from the damaged cells release enzymes that also eat up normal healthy tissue.
Collastin interferes with this damaging immune response. I previously mentioned the leukotrienes that are responsible for producing the symptoms involved in allergies and, particularly, leukotriene B4 which sends out messages calling the body's white blood cells to come running. By inhibiting or eliminating the production of leukotrienes, symptoms resulting from rheumatoid arthritis could be eliminated. In treating this condition again, I've found that by adding a few synergistic nutrients our chances of hitting the bulls-eye increases. Glucosamine, vitamin C, and manganese are still necessary to optimal results. Although, I've found that by adding Boswellin™, sea cucumber, and zinc, it can really make a difference. I've already discussed the first three nutrients, so I would like to touch briefly on these last three.
Boswellin™
Boswellin is the registered trademark for a scientifically standardized Boswellia serrata extract. Boswellia is indigenous to various parts of Africa with the species Boswellia serrata unique to India. Multiple studies have indicated that this plant has many positive effects on the body, without any negative side effects. After studying all of the clinical and laboratory studies available, I'm convinced, once again, that Nature truly does provide an answer for every disease known to man. Nature addresses the causes of disease without producing toxins in the body and creating dangerous side effects.
Boswellin is remarkable. It has some similarities to Collastin, in that it inhibits leukotriene production and, consequently, decreases inflammation throughout the body. By inhibiting this inflammatory response, the chipping away of the cartilage within the joint is reduced and the repair process can take place.
In a human study performed in 1987 on 175 subjects, Boswellin performed remarkably well! These patients - ages 10 to 50 years old - had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, a spinal arthritic condition in which the vertebrae eventually fuse together. Clinical evaluations were performed on a regular basis over a six-year period. The severity of pain, morning stiffness, joint scores, disability scores, and grip strength were evaluated. Sixty-seven percent of the subjects showed good to excellent results; 30 percent had fair results; and only three percent failed to show any improvement.
In another human, double-blind, placebo study, Boswellin was found to significantly reduce the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) after only four weeks of daily use. ESR is a blood rest that measures the speed at which red blood cells settle to the bottom of a glass tube, and is used as a screening test for tissue inflammation. A placebo was then used instead of the Boswellin, and the ESRs were checked again four weeks later. They increased an average of 20 percent, showing that inflammation increased during placebo use.
Besides being an excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic, Boswellin has also been used in liver detoxification; to decrease fats circulating in the bloodstream; and as a trement for atherosclerosis and gastrointestinal ulcers. Boswellin has also been found to inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animals. In one particular study, tumors were reduced by 84 percent after being treated with Boswellin. And when the dose of Boswellin was tripled, tumors were reduced by 96 percent!
Sea Cucumber
Sea cucumbers - also known as the vegetable of the sea, or cucumaria - are abundant in ocean tidal zones throughout the world and have been part of man's diet for thousands of years. Sea cucumbers contain special compounds that help modulate the balance of prostaglandins, which regulate inflammatory processes.
An August 1992 study, conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland, showed that the sea cucumber not only functioned as an anti-inflammatory, but it also provided the necessary nutrients to help rebuild damaged tissues in arthritic joints. The special substances, known as mucopolysaccharides and chondroitins, are often lacking in individuals with arthritis and connective tissue diseases. Sea cucumbers are also a source of vitamins A, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin) and C, as well as the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc.
Zinc
A component of over 200 enzymes in our bodies, zinc functions in more enzymatic reactions than any other trace mineral. Zinc is necessary for normal cell division and is critical for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and protein. It's also necessary for the proper action of many of the body's hormones, including insulin, growth hormone, thymic hormones, and the sex hormones. Most importantly, zinc is required for skin and connective tissue production through its affects on collagen and glycosaminoglycans.
Although severe zinc deficiencies are rare, marginal deficiencies are very common - especially among the elderly. This is, most likely, due to a decreased pancreatic function, resulting from the zinc in the diet not being absorbed. Although zinc is found in many plant foods, most of it is not bioavailable. In plants, zinc binds to a fiber compound called phytic acid to form zinc-phytate, which is not absorbed by the body. The best food source of zinc is oysters, but it's also found in high concentrations in other shellfish, fish and red meats.
Zinc in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Zinc levels in those with rheumatoid arthritis are typically low; and in several studies zinc was found to reduce joint welling, joint tenderness, and morning stiffness. Part of the reason for its effectiveness may be that zinc has antioxidant effects and functions in the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, or SOD.
Zinc in Collagen Synthesis and Wound Healing
Zinc is required for making protein and the growth of cells and, therefore, it's necessary for the repair of damaged tissues. Zinc supplementation has been shown to decrease the normal time it takes for wounds to heal, while zinc deficiency leads to a longer period of time to heal. These effects appear to be due to zinc's special promotional role in skin and connective tissue metabolism.
White spots on your fingernails can sometimes be used to determine the body's zinc levels. Decreased zinc levels prolong the normal time it takes for wounds to heal; and after nail bed injuries, these lesions can appear under your fingernails.
Zinc and Immunity
Adequate zinc levels in the tissues are necessary for proper function of the immune system. Zinc deficiency results in an increased susceptibility to infection. When zinc levels are low, the number of T-cells (lymphocytes from the thymus gland) decrease; hormones produced in the thymus glad decrease; and many white blood cell functions necessary for the immune response are compromised.
As well as stimulation of the immune system, zinc has displayed virus-inhibiting activity. In one double-blind clinical study, zinc supplementation significantly reduced the average duration of colds by seven days.
Zinc and the Prostrate Gland
Zinc concentrations in the prostrate glands of men are normally very high. Zinc deficiencies can be a contributing factor in the high rate of benign prostatic hypertrophy or enlargement of the prostate gland. It's estimated that 50 to 60 percent of men between the ages of 50 and 59 years of age have prostatic enlargement. And zinc supplementation has been shown to reduce the size of the prostate and symptomatology in the majority of these cases.
Zinc is also critical to male sexual function. It's used in every aspect of male reproduction, including hormone metabolism; the creation of sperm and sperm motility; as well as testosterone production. Zinc levels are much lower in infertile men with low sperm counts, which indicates that zinc is a contributing factor in infertility.
I always recommend supplementing the treatment program with digestive enzymes. Typically this would include protease, lipase, amylase, and cellulase. Many of these conditions are related to the body's inability to completely digest food. Undigested food particles end up in the blood stream in an unusable form. The body sees these food particles as foreign invaders and kicks in with the immune response, which happens every time food is eaten! The condition is called digestive leukocytosis and can be diagnosis by evaluating the number of white blood cells in the blood, before and after one eats. No wonder many people have immune systems that are extremely overworked and very tired.
Hazel's Experience with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hazel is 72 years young! She had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and was suffering with ankles that were so swollen she had not seen the bones in her ankles for over two years! She had to use a walker when she came into the office. We started her on the program immediately. After two weeks, the swelling started to decrease enough that bone was starting to become visible once again. Six weeks later she was seen by another patient walking the golf course at our local country club!
Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an auto-immune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Currently, over three million Americans are afflicted with this disorder - two-thirds of them are women. Most often it occurs in the third or fourth decades of life, but rheumatoid arthritis also affects many young people, as well.
