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Friday, December 11th, 2009

Aspartame and Rheumatoid Arthritis

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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 »

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Fight Inflammation with Strawberries

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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 »

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Long Term Use Considered Safe

The results of a recent study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases indicate that the drug methotrexate (MTX) appears to be safe for long term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This conclusion was based on data collected from 88 studies that involved patients treated with methotrexate for at least 2 years. mtx 001

Methotrexate is classified as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug also known as a DMARD. Methotrexate had been used to treat psoriasis and cancer prior to its approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 1988 to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used to treat other autoimmune diseases including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthriis, lupus and vasculitis. It can take from 6 to 12 weeks to feel the full effect of this medication. Taken once weekly via either 2.5 mg tablets or self injection, methotrexate blocks certain enzymes that affects the production of folic acid which is necessary for growing cells. Therefore it is necessary to take folic acid suppliments while on methotrexate.

It is important to avoid drinking alcohol while using this medication because of the increased risk of liver damage. Methotrexate can cause abnormal liver function so it is necessary to have blood work monitoring done every 8 weeks. The 88 studies concluded that 13% of people taking methotrexate experienced elevated liver enzymes however only 3.7% had to stop using the drug due to liver toxicity. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting ( may be based on the dosage), mouth sores, rash, diarrhea, blood count abnormalities, persistent dry cough, unexplained shortness of breath, cirrhosis of the liver ( rarely), gradual hair loss, and sensitivity to sunlight. Some over the counter and prescription medications may increase the toxicity of methotrexate so it is important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any additional medication. Methotrexate can cause birth defects and can cause complications during pregnancy. It should not be taken if you plan on starting a family.

Patients in the study experienced side effects but usually mild. Methotrexate rates of discontinuation were less than gold, sulfasalazine and penicillamine but more than plaquenil in this study.

Of the 88 studies only 2 assessed the relationship between methotrexate and cardiovascular disease. One study concluded that there was no increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the other suggested that there may be a reduced risk. There was no increased risk of infections linked to methotrexate.