Friday, January 15th, 2010
Walnuts are a tasty way to add crunch to your favorite yogurt or salad.

They also have the added benefit of being loaded with omega-3 fatty acids which are great for fighting inflammation. Only 1/4 cup of walnuts provides you with almost 91% of you daily value of omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts also have an antioxidant compound called ellegic acid which supports the immune system. Walnuts are rich in manganese and copper as well. Walnuts are a good source of plant protein. They are rich in fiber, B vitamins and vitamin E. I love to just snack on just a handful. It keeps me feeling full and helps with inflammation; the perfect combination in the afternoon.

Tags: arthritis, immune system, inflammation, omega-3 fatty acid, RA, rheumatoid, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, walnuts
Posted in Autoimmue Disease, Diet/Nutrition, Health/Fitness, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, Solutions, Wellness | 5 Comments »
Friday, December 11th, 2009

Before you reach for that diet soft drink, you may want to rethink what is in that beverage. The sugar substitute aspartame, used in most diet soft drinks does not in fact help in weight loss and there is mounting evidence that it may actually cause weight gain. More important to someone with rheumatoid arthritis, aspartame may cause inflammation and joint pain.
According to Woodrow C. Monte, PhD., Director of the Food Science and Nutrition Laboratory at Arizona State University, “when aspartmae is metabolized, it releases methyl alcohol (wood alcohol), a known toxin that is highly dangerous to humans.” Dr. Monte warns that “once in your cells, methyl alcohol converts to formaldehyde, a cancer-causing agent. Recent studies in Europe suggest that aspartame consumption can result in the accumulation of formaldehyde in the brain damaging the central nervous system and the immune system.
Aspartame is found not only in diet products. It can also be found in cough medicine, toothpaste and even some sports drinks and juice drinks.
Aspartame has been linked to several autoimmune diseases including lupus, fibromyalgia, multiple sclorosis and rheumatoid arthritis even at low doses. It has been tied to migranes, chronic fatigue, asthma, diabetes,tinnitis and depression.
According to the Aspartme Information Center, aspartame is approved by the US Food and Drug Adminstration and the Joint Expert Committe on Food Adititives of the World Health Organization. It is consumed in over 6,000 products and by 200 million people worldwide. It is found in everything from cough medicine to soft drinks.
For me personally, I would rather err of the side of caution and avoid aspertame. My body has gone through enough turmoil. I want to nourish with food that will aid in healing and avoid ingesting anything that may potentially cause harm. You make up your own mind.
Tags: arthritis, aspartame, asthma, chronic fatigue, depression, fibromyalgia, immune system, inflammation, joint pain, lupus, migrane, multiple sclorosis, RA, rheumatoid, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, tinnitis
Posted in Autoimmue Disease, Decisions, Diet/Nutrition, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA | 9 Comments »
Friday, October 16th, 2009
- Meditation: Meditation can lower your blood pressure, enhance your immune system, relax muscles help you deal with stress. And lets face it pain is stressful. Start with just 5 to 10 minutes a day and gradually work up to 20 to 30 minutes a day. You will be surprised what a difference it will make in how you feel. Find a quiet place where there are not likely to be any interruptions. I try to get in some time before the kids wake up. Sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes. Focus on your breath; the coolness as you breathe in and the warm exhale. Try to keep the inhalation and exhalation the same length. Start with your feet and focus on the sensation of relaxation. Now move up to your legs, stomach, arms, and shoulders,. With each exhale feel the tension leave your body. Now relax the corners of your mouth, the outer corners of your eyes relax outward. Stay like this focusing on the inhalation and exhalation, try to empty your mind. It takes practice to be able to shut out the world for a little while, but it is well worth the effort.
- Pamper Yourself: Sit down and enjoy a nice warm cup of tea. Take a long soothing soak in the tub. ( provided getting in and out is not an issue ) Try a nice paraffin wax for your hands. The warmth feels wonderful and your hands end up so soft and smooth when you are done. Schedule a spa day with your best friend. Indulge in an afternoon nap. Do something that makes you feel good.
- Move your body: Exercise is a must to help with pain reduction. Find an exercise that you enjoy and you are more likely to stick with it. Start with something that you can do now. Begin with some stretches and add a few isometrics to gain some strength gradually increasing the time and level of activity. Be carefule to listen to what your body is telling you. Do not continue if you are experiencing pain. Remember that consistency is the key.
- Laugh: We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine. Well it turns out that laughter is exactly what we need when dealing with pain. Laughter causes the pituitary gland in the brain to release pain suppressing compounds. So watch a funny movie or tell a good joke !

- Listen to your favorite music: Studies have shown a significant reduction in pain and depression for patients with arthritis who listen to music. So crank up the tunes and enjoy!

Tags: Add new tag, arthritis pain, depression, exercise, immune system, inflammation, joint pain, laughter, Meditation, music, pace, pain reduction, pamper, RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA
Posted in Solutions, Wellness | 4 Comments »
Monday, September 28th, 2009

Over the past several months I have received comments that I think need to be addressed in a much longer format than a comment response. The comments are related to treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis and which treatment is best.
We are fortunate enough to have many options available to us today to manage our rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Traditional medicine offers everything from NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) like Advil and DMARD s(Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs) such as Plaquenil, Arava, Methotrexate, Gold, and Cyclosporine to biologics like Remicade, Enbrel and Humira. There is a growing trend toward alternative medicine as a solution to deal with this disease. Each option has its benefits, risks and side effects.
NSAIDs are a class of drug that are used primarily to treat inflammation and mild to moderate pain. These medications vary in potency and include the brand names Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, Anaprox and Celebrex. Between 10% to 50% of patients are unable to tolerate NSAIDs because of their side effects. These side effects include upset stomach, stomach pain, and diarrhea. About 15% of people on long term NSAID treatment develop ulcers of the stomach and/or the duodenum.
DMARDs cover a variety of different of drugs. Anti-malarial drugs such as Plaquenil (Hydroxycloroquine) are considered a DMARD and were initially used to treat malaria. It was discovered to help arthritis when patients noticed an improvement in their arthritis symptoms while taking plaquenil for malaria. Plaquenil effects the immune system but doctors do not know how it works for rheumatoid arthritis. Arava (leflunomide) interferes with genes in developing immune cells. When taking Arava, liver monitoring for toxicity is required. You should not take this drug if you are planning to get pregnant or are currently pregnant because of birth defects. The most common side effects for patients taking Arava are rash, nausea, hair loss, liver enzyme elevation and anemia. Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug that initially was used to treat acute leukemia. Methotrexate (MTX) has become the gold standard for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methotrexate interferes with the growth of cells in the bone marrow. The most common side effects from methotrexate include stomach upset, hair loss, diarrhea, and mouth sores. Folic acid is given while taking this medication to reduce the side effects. Liver function monitoring is necessary to watch for toxicity. Methotrexate should also not be taken if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Injectable Gold has been shown to improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis however toxicity is common and constant monitoring in necessary. Side effects include rash, diarrhea, conjunctivitis and marrow suppression. Cyclosporine is a medication that is used primarily for the prevention of rejection of transplanted organs. It is effective for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis because it stops an overactive immune system from attacking the joints. Side effects can be severe and include hypertension, kidney problems, headache, nausea and diarrhea.
Biologic response modifiers (biologics) are the latest treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis pain and inflammation. They work by blocking the tumor necrosis factors(TNF) components of the immune system. People with RA have too much TNF in their bodies and it overwhelms the immune systems response to inflammation. Biologics such as Enbrel, Remicade and Humira are genetically engineered proteins that binds to and deactivates the TNF molecules before they can do damage. The risks in taking this class of drug include serious infection including sepsis and tuberculosis, nervous system diseases such as multiple scholosis, allergic reactions, lymphoma and congestive heart failure. Because these drugs are fairly new their long term side effects are not known.
There has been much debate on the effectiveness of complimentary and alternative treatments options for rheumatoid arthritis. These treatments include GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid), DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid, Tai Chi, herbal supplements and acupuncture. There are many more complimentary and alternative treatment options that will be discussed in future posts.
GLA (Gamma-linolenic Acid) is an essential fatty acid found primarily in plant oils. It is found in borage oil and black currant seed. In preliminary testing it has shown to reduce morning stiffness and swelling however studies have been small to date and additional research would provide more information. DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) is an omega 3 fatty acid found in cold water fish. Several studies have shown that DHA reduces inflammation but not the progression of the disease. The movements of Tai Chi improve strength, flexibility and balance. There is no indication that Tai Chi effects the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Acupuncture in thought to stimulate the release of chemicals called endorphins that block pain. Acupuncture is very effective in treating chronic pain like that in rheumatoid arthritis. The list of supplements as an alternative solution to conventional medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include vitamin E, MSM, copper, manganese, vitamin C, selenium, zinc, bromelain, ginger, turmeric and boswellia. These alternatives have proven to help in inflammation and in some cases joint damage.
The benefits of using conventional medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are that knowledgeable doctors using this method are readily available and the medications work for many people. These medications have significantly improved the lives of many with rheumatoid arthritis. The downside to this treatment option is the side effects can vary from mild to severe and some long term effects are not even known.
The benefits to choosing an alternative medical solution for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is that the side effects to these treatment are few and are less damaging to the body. The disadvantage to complimentary and alternative treatments are that finding a qualified medical professional that can help guide you through all the options available can be a challenge and there is debate on whether or not they can help with joint damage.
Ultimately the choice for a treatment option is a personal one. What matters is what works for you. Everyone has their own body chemistry. What works for one person may not work for another. The advantage that we have today is that we have options, many options, and if something is not working for us we can try in another direction until we find our own solution. It is not up to me or anyone else to decide what is best for you and your body. Trust yourself to figure out what is best for you.
Tags: acupuncture, advil, ananprox, anemia, Arava, arthritis, black currant oil, bone marrow, borage oil, boswellia, bromelain, celebrex, chemotherapy, congestive heart failure, copper, damage, DHA, diarrhea, DMARD, Enbrel, folic acid, ginger, GLA, gold, hair loss, headache, Humira, hypertention, immune system, joint, kidney, leflunomide, leukemia, liver enzyme, lymphoma, m, manganses, methotrexate, MSM, multiple sclerosis, naproxen, nausea, NSAID, plaquenil, pregnant, RA, rash, Remicade, rheumatoid, rheumatoid arthritis, selemium, Tai Chi, toxicity, tuberculosis, turmeric, vitamin C, vitamin E
Posted in Autoimmue Disease, Coping, Decisions, Diet/Nutrition, Good News!, Health/Fitness, Lesson Learned, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, Solutions, Wellness | 10 Comments »
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Strawberries are at their peak of sweetness in this part of the planet right now. Strawberries are sweet and delicious and great for fighting inflammation as well. They are loaded with vitamin C and Manganese. Strawberries also have Iodine, Potassium, Folate and Vitamins B2, B5 & B6 as well as Vitamin K, Omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium and copper.
Strawberries lower blood levels of C-reactive protein in the blood. C-reactive protein signals inflammation and is high in RA and lupus patients when they are experiencing a flare. At the Harvard School of Public Health, researchers found that women who ate 16 or more strawberries per week were 14 percent more likely to have lower levels of this protein than non strawberry eaters.
It is important to note that strawberries are known to be heavily treated with pesticides. When in comes to strawberries it is organic or nothing for me.
Tags: anti-inflammatory, arthritis, C-reactive protein, flare, folate, Harvard School of Public Health, immune system, inflammation, lupus, manganese, omega 3, potassium, RA, rheumatoid, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, vitamin C, vitamins
Posted in Autoimmue Disease, Decisions, Diet/Nutrition, Good News!, Health/Fitness, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, Solutions, Wellness | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Massage has been used for centuries to improve health and ease pain in the body-mind. There are more than 100 different types of bodywork they include deep tissue massage, acupressure massage and Swedish massage. Each one has it’s own technique and approach to bodywork. The benefits of massage therapy for rheumatoid arthritis are increased circulation, flexibility and massage can strengthen the immune system, reduce pain,stress and anxiety. There is scientific evidence that massage lowers cortisol(stress hormone) levels and improves immune system function.
When deciding on a massage it is important to find a competent massage therapist that is familiar with rheumatoid arthritis and or other autoimmune disease(s) that you may have. Find a therapist that is trained in many different techniques. They will be able to guide you in choosing the best therapy for your particular needs. You can also check with The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork or The American Massage Therapy Association for a listing of certified massage therapists in your area.
Check with your insurance company before you schedule an appointment with a massage therapist. The session may be offered at a reduced rate through your insurance provider or it may be covered if your doctor prescribed it. Check with your rheumatologist before you make the appointment, he/she may be able to recommend a therapist or give you specific cautions. Make sure that if you are flaring to hold off until it is under control. Do not have massage on an inflamed joint, it may make it worse.
Once you have the appointment, make sure that you express what it is that you hope to gain from this experience. Maybe you just want to relax or perhaps there is a particular part of your body that needs special attention. Be clear about the amount of pain or discomfort that you are experiencing prior to starting the massage and communicate if you are experiencing pain during the process. When the massage is over make sure to drink plenty of water. Massage increases circulation and releases toxins trapped in tight muscles. Water will help to flush out those toxins.
Tags: acupressure, arthritis, autoimmune, autoimmune disease, bodywork, circulation, flare, immune system, massage, pain, rheumatoid, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, stress, swedish massage, theapy, tissue, toxin
Posted in Autoimmue Disease, Decisions, Health/Fitness, Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, Solutions, Spirit, Wellness | 1 Comment »