RA: Not Your Grandma’s Arthritis
By Leslie Vandever
Arthritis. Isn’t that the joint pain people get when the years start piling up? Grandpa has it in his knees and grumps a lot about it, and now and then you get a twingy ache in your knuckles because of it. Sometimes it’s bad and sometimes it’s not, but most people just pop an over-the-counter pain reliever for it and get on with things.
That’s osteoarthritis. It’s the most common of over 100 diseases and conditions with the word “arthritis” as part of their names. Known as the “wear-and-tear” arthritis because it tends to start in middle-age, osteoarthritis is generally the result of a lifetime of constant use. Joints wear out just like everything else.
But then there’s rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It’s another thing entirely.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. RA causes the body’s immune system, which defends it from foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses, to mistake the synovial tissues surrounding the joints as enemies and attack them ferociously. The attack causes inflammation, pain, and destruction to the joint itself. It may also damage associated tissues like cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Over time, RA can deform joints and cause permanent disability.
Having your own body attack your joints and cause this kind of damage is bad enough. But it doesn’t stop there. RA is a systemic disease, meaning that it can affect the entire body. Although joint pain and destruction is the most well-known of its effects, it may also attack the lining of the heart and lungs, the skin, the vascular system, and even the eyes.
Some RA advocates argue that “arthritis” is a misnomer for this disease, since RA is systemic. Joint pain, deformity, and disability are just some of its better-known symptoms. They suggest that “rheumatoid autoimmune disease” is more accurate.
This is not your grandma’s arthritis.
Even small children get RA, though it tends to strike most people between the ages of 30 and 60. It also occurs two to three times more often in women than men, though scientists aren’t sure why. They also don’t know what causes it, though they suspect that a virus, hormones, or environmental factors might trigger it. Smoking, for instance, was recently linked to RA as a probable trigger.
There is no cure for RA. But over the last 25 years or so, medical science has given a great deal of hope to those who cope with it. Scientists have discovered number of medications that can slow the disease’s progression in some patients. Called disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, these are serious drugs. One, methotrexate, got its start as a cancer treatment for childhood leukemia.Plaqueniloriginally treated malaria. Others include leflunomide and sulfasalazine.
The big guns of the RA drug world are the biologic DMARDs. These modern drugs, which entered the scene around the turn of the millennium, target specific antibodies and other substances. They’re part of the immune system’s defense forces that, in RA, turn and attack the body’s synovial tissues. In some patients, biologic DMARDs are extremely effective in slowing the progress of the disease and relieving its symptoms.
For more information about RA and other health issues, click here.
Leslie Vandever is a professional journalist and freelance writer with more than 25 years of experience. She lives in the foothills of Northern California.
References:
·Rheumatoid Arthritis. (2011, August 1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved on August 26, 2014 from http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid.htm
·We Refuse to Be Mislabeled: Updating Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) to Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease (RAD) (2012, January 3) RA Warrior. Retrieved on August 26, 2014 from http://rawarrior.com/we-refuse-to-be-mislabeled-updating-rheumatoid-arthritis-ra-to-rheumatoid-autoimmune-disease-rad/
Di Giuseppe, D. Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: ADose-Response Meta-analysis. (2014, March 5) Arthritis Research and Therapy. Retrieved on August 26, 2014 from http://arthritis-research.com/content/16/2/R61
Arthritis. Isn’t that the joint pain people get when the years start piling up? Grandpa has it in his knees and grumps a lot about it, and now and then you get a twingy ache in your knuckles because of it. Sometimes it’s bad and sometimes it’s not, but most people just pop an over-the-counter pain reliever for it and get on with things.
That’s osteoarthritis. It’s the most common of over 100 diseases and conditions with the word “arthritis” as part of their names. Known as the “wear-and-tear” arthritis because it tends to start in middle-age, osteoarthritis is generally the result of a lifetime of constant use. Joints wear out just like everything else.
But then there’s rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It’s another thing entirely.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. RA causes the body’s immune system, which defends it from foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses, to mistake the synovial tissues surrounding the joints as enemies and attack them ferociously. The attack causes inflammation, pain, and destruction to the joint itself. It may also damage associated tissues like cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Over time, RA can deform joints and cause permanent disability.
Having your own body attack your joints and cause this kind of damage is bad enough. But it doesn’t stop there. RA is a systemic disease, meaning that it can affect the entire body. Although joint pain and destruction is the most well-known of its effects, it may also attack the lining of the heart and lungs, the skin, the vascular system, and even the eyes.
Some RA advocates argue that “arthritis” is a misnomer for this disease, since RA is systemic. Joint pain, deformity, and disability are just some of its better-known symptoms. They suggest that “rheumatoid autoimmune disease” is more accurate.
This is not your grandma’s arthritis.
Even small children get RA, though it tends to strike most people between the ages of 30 and 60. It also occurs two to three times more often in women than men, though scientists aren’t sure why. They also don’t know what causes it, though they suspect that a virus, hormones, or environmental factors might trigger it. Smoking, for instance, was recently linked to RA as a probable trigger.
There is no cure for RA. But over the last 25 years or so, medical science has given a great deal of hope to those who cope with it. Scientists have discovered number of medications that can slow the disease’s progression in some patients. Called disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, or DMARDs, these are serious drugs. One, methotrexate, got its start as a cancer treatment for childhood leukemia.Plaqueniloriginally treated malaria. Others include leflunomide and sulfasalazine.
The big guns of the RA drug world are the biologic DMARDs. These modern drugs, which entered the scene around the turn of the millennium, target specific antibodies and other substances. They’re part of the immune system’s defense forces that, in RA, turn and attack the body’s synovial tissues. In some patients, biologic DMARDs are extremely effective in slowing the progress of the disease and relieving its symptoms.
For more information about RA and other health issues, click here.
Leslie Vandever is a professional journalist and freelance writer with more than 25 years of experience. She lives in the foothills of Northern California.
References:
·Rheumatoid Arthritis. (2011, August 1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved on August 26, 2014 from http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid.htm
·We Refuse to Be Mislabeled: Updating Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) to Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease (RAD) (2012, January 3) RA Warrior. Retrieved on August 26, 2014 from http://rawarrior.com/we-refuse-to-be-mislabeled-updating-rheumatoid-arthritis-ra-to-rheumatoid-autoimmune-disease-rad/
Di Giuseppe, D. Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: ADose-Response Meta-analysis. (2014, March 5) Arthritis Research and Therapy. Retrieved on August 26, 2014 from http://arthritis-research.com/content/16/2/R61
Top Fruit list for good health
We know that eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies is good for our health, but what specific benefits do we get from different sorts of produce? This info graphic takes a look at 20 popular fruits and their health benefits.
Of course, just choosing fresh produce is only part of the battle, right? We also need to take into account the effects of pesticide residues on our health. The best choice is to choose organic produce, but if you can’t do that, there are some fruits that are more important to buy organic than others.
The Environmental Working Group has lists of which fruits and veggies have the most and the fewest pesticide residues when they’re conventionally grown. These lists – “The Dirty Dozen” and “The Clean Fifteen” – are great references if you can’t get all of your produce organically. I've cross referenced the fruits in this graphic with those lists, and below the info graphic you’ll find which are Dirty Dozen fruits and which are in The Clean Fifteen.
Of course, just choosing fresh produce is only part of the battle, right? We also need to take into account the effects of pesticide residues on our health. The best choice is to choose organic produce, but if you can’t do that, there are some fruits that are more important to buy organic than others.
The Environmental Working Group has lists of which fruits and veggies have the most and the fewest pesticide residues when they’re conventionally grown. These lists – “The Dirty Dozen” and “The Clean Fifteen” – are great references if you can’t get all of your produce organically. I've cross referenced the fruits in this graphic with those lists, and below the info graphic you’ll find which are Dirty Dozen fruits and which are in The Clean Fifteen.
Fruits on the Dirty Dozen List
If your grocery budget or organic produce selection is limited, these are the fruits to focus on buying organic. According to analysis by the EWG, these have the highest pesticide residues.
If you can’t get all organic fruit, these are the ones with the fewest pesticide residues.
Source By:http://www.care2.com/greenliving/best-fruits-for-your-health.html
If your grocery budget or organic produce selection is limited, these are the fruits to focus on buying organic. According to analysis by the EWG, these have the highest pesticide residues.
- apples
- cherry tomatoes
- grapes
- peaches
- strawberries
If you can’t get all organic fruit, these are the ones with the fewest pesticide residues.
- avocado
- grapefruit
- kiwi
- mango
- papaya
- pineapple
Source By:http://www.care2.com/greenliving/best-fruits-for-your-health.html
15 Natural Alternative Creative Coffee
Green Tea
Can't make it through the morning without your daily java? Try brewing some green tea, which has slightly less caffeine than a cup of Joe but enough to give you a boost without any of the coffee jitters. The refreshing drink is also packed with health benefits, says Nadine Taylor, registered dietitian and author of Green Tea: The Natural Secret to a Healthier Life. “Catechins are powerful antioxidants and potent disease fighters that are found primarily in green tea,”.
Can't make it through the morning without your daily java? Try brewing some green tea, which has slightly less caffeine than a cup of Joe but enough to give you a boost without any of the coffee jitters. The refreshing drink is also packed with health benefits, says Nadine Taylor, registered dietitian and author of Green Tea: The Natural Secret to a Healthier Life. “Catechins are powerful antioxidants and potent disease fighters that are found primarily in green tea,”.
Nutty Smoothies
Nuts, which are high in protein and fiber, make a healthy afternoon snack, but they're also nourishing whipped into a smoothie. According to certified nutritionist Angela Pifer, smoothies made using ingredients like cashew milk, protein powder, and nut butter help elevate your blood sugar levels. “A 3 p.m. slump is not innate to us,” Pifer says. “Since food gives us energy, it’s more of a problem with our blood sugar dropping.”
Nuts, which are high in protein and fiber, make a healthy afternoon snack, but they're also nourishing whipped into a smoothie. According to certified nutritionist Angela Pifer, smoothies made using ingredients like cashew milk, protein powder, and nut butter help elevate your blood sugar levels. “A 3 p.m. slump is not innate to us,” Pifer says. “Since food gives us energy, it’s more of a problem with our blood sugar dropping.”
Licorice Tea
Even if you didn’t like licorice candy as a child, you’ll appreciate the benefits of sweet, spicy licorice tea. The bold-tasting brew is actually caffeine-free, but supports overburdened adrenal glands, which are organs that respond to stress. “Licorice is an adrenal tonic and increases energy. It adds a pleasant taste to tea blends and can also be taken in tincture form,” explain Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster, authors of The HerbalDrugstore.
Even if you didn’t like licorice candy as a child, you’ll appreciate the benefits of sweet, spicy licorice tea. The bold-tasting brew is actually caffeine-free, but supports overburdened adrenal glands, which are organs that respond to stress. “Licorice is an adrenal tonic and increases energy. It adds a pleasant taste to tea blends and can also be taken in tincture form,” explain Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster, authors of The HerbalDrugstore.
Wheatgrass Juice
This natural energizer is known as a liquid shot of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Some people don’t mind the taste and others do, but all agree that wheatgrass is one of the most nourishing juices. “Because of its easy digestibility and rapid assimilation, it’s a natural energy supplement, whether alone or added to a protein-type supplement drink,” says Gloria Gilbère, doctor of natural health.
This natural energizer is known as a liquid shot of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Some people don’t mind the taste and others do, but all agree that wheatgrass is one of the most nourishing juices. “Because of its easy digestibility and rapid assimilation, it’s a natural energy supplement, whether alone or added to a protein-type supplement drink,” says Gloria Gilbère, doctor of natural health.
Siberian Ginseng Tea
Siberian ginseng tea gets its kick from the slightly bitter ginseng root, but if you can’t down the brew on its own, sweeten it with a dollop of honey. The herbal drink is supposed to stimulate your concentration, according to White and Foster. “This favorite, tried-and-true fatigue-buster is safe for long-term use in most people.'
Siberian ginseng tea gets its kick from the slightly bitter ginseng root, but if you can’t down the brew on its own, sweeten it with a dollop of honey. The herbal drink is supposed to stimulate your concentration, according to White and Foster. “This favorite, tried-and-true fatigue-buster is safe for long-term use in most people.'
Reishi Mushroom Tea
You've devoured mushrooms enfolded in tasty omelets or sprinkled atop your favorite pastas, but if you’re looking for a unique coffee alternative, try mushrooms in the form of tea. A staple in traditionalChinese medicine, the soft, flat reishi mushroom makes for one invigorating (and healthy) libation. White and Foster recommend combining 1/3 ounce of chopped or powdered reishi mushroom with 3 cups of water, then bringing the tea to a boil and simmering for 30 minutes before drinking in doses.
You've devoured mushrooms enfolded in tasty omelets or sprinkled atop your favorite pastas, but if you’re looking for a unique coffee alternative, try mushrooms in the form of tea. A staple in traditionalChinese medicine, the soft, flat reishi mushroom makes for one invigorating (and healthy) libation. White and Foster recommend combining 1/3 ounce of chopped or powdered reishi mushroom with 3 cups of water, then bringing the tea to a boil and simmering for 30 minutes before drinking in doses.
Chai
Native to India, this soothing beverage is commonly made with rich black tea, milk, and a variety of spices, like cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom. A steaming hot mug of chai tea will help you get over an afternoon hump. An added bonus? Though you're automatically cutting your caffeine intake by drinking chai, the tea’s smooth, creamy flavor tricks your mind into thinking that it’s coffee!
Native to India, this soothing beverage is commonly made with rich black tea, milk, and a variety of spices, like cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom. A steaming hot mug of chai tea will help you get over an afternoon hump. An added bonus? Though you're automatically cutting your caffeine intake by drinking chai, the tea’s smooth, creamy flavor tricks your mind into thinking that it’s coffee!
Carob Powder
If a post-lunch slump has you running to the nearest Starbucks for an espresso shot, you may want to think about keeping a stash of caffeine-free carob powder in your desk drawer. Similar to cocoa, naturally sweet carob powder tastes just as yummy mixed with warm milk and a touch of honey, and prevents you from experiencing a nasty energy crash later on.
If a post-lunch slump has you running to the nearest Starbucks for an espresso shot, you may want to think about keeping a stash of caffeine-free carob powder in your desk drawer. Similar to cocoa, naturally sweet carob powder tastes just as yummy mixed with warm milk and a touch of honey, and prevents you from experiencing a nasty energy crash later on.
Lemon Water
Creamy coffee drinks offer an instant jolt of energy, but you may find yourself feeling sluggish as the caffeine wears off later in the afternoon. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that will stimulate your senses. “I find that the best waker-upper is water with lemon zest and lemon juice,” says Lisa Rinna, television host and author of Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever. She suggests adding the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of freshly grated zest to your H2O.
Creamy coffee drinks offer an instant jolt of energy, but you may find yourself feeling sluggish as the caffeine wears off later in the afternoon. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that will stimulate your senses. “I find that the best waker-upper is water with lemon zest and lemon juice,” says Lisa Rinna, television host and author of Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever. She suggests adding the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of freshly grated zest to your H2O.
Flaxseed Shake
Adding flaxseeds and flaxseed oil to a morning shake will have you up and running in the a.m. For an icy beverage both high in fiber and energy, blend flaxseeds with yogurt, soy milk, ice, and the frozen fruit of your choice. Subtly nutty flaxseeds also add a deliciously satisfying crunch to any smoothie.
Adding flaxseeds and flaxseed oil to a morning shake will have you up and running in the a.m. For an icy beverage both high in fiber and energy, blend flaxseeds with yogurt, soy milk, ice, and the frozen fruit of your choice. Subtly nutty flaxseeds also add a deliciously satisfying crunch to any smoothie.
Prune Juice
With sugar and cream stirred in, coffee is one enticing morning treat. But next time you reach for your thermos, fill it with prune juice! The thick, crisp juice helps regulate the proper level of electrolytes in your body, which in turn leads to increased stamina, according to Staci Nix, author of Williams’ Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy. If the flavor of prune juice is overpowering, try diluting it with water or apple juice for a thinner blend.
With sugar and cream stirred in, coffee is one enticing morning treat. But next time you reach for your thermos, fill it with prune juice! The thick, crisp juice helps regulate the proper level of electrolytes in your body, which in turn leads to increased stamina, according to Staci Nix, author of Williams’ Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy. If the flavor of prune juice is overpowering, try diluting it with water or apple juice for a thinner blend.
Peppermint Tea
Perk up with peppermint tea! As well as freshening your breath and calming your stomach after a meal, the cooling sensation of this minty drink is an instant revitalizer. “[Peppermint stimulates] the same nerve that’s activated when you revive someone with smelling salts,” says Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.
Perk up with peppermint tea! As well as freshening your breath and calming your stomach after a meal, the cooling sensation of this minty drink is an instant revitalizer. “[Peppermint stimulates] the same nerve that’s activated when you revive someone with smelling salts,” says Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.
Nuts can Help Your Heart be healthy, Lower Your Risk of Diabetes
Many people needlessly shun raw nuts from their diet, believing their fat content contributes to weight gain. A new study once again puts this myth to rest, showing instead that eating nuts doesn't lead to weight gain and may actually help you to slim down.
Eating Nuts May Help You Achieve Your Ideal Weight In the new review of 31 trials, those whose diets included extra nuspts or nuts substituted for other foods lost about 1.4 extra pounds and half an inch from their waists.1 The weight loss, though small, suggests that adding healthful amounts of nuts to your diet can help you to maintain your ideal weight over time. And at the very least, researchers concluded: |
“Compared with control diets, diets enriched with nuts did not increase body weight, body mass index [BMI], or waist circumference in controlled clinical trials.”
In fact, if you’re watching your weight, a small handful of nuts like almonds is a better snack choice than a snack high in complex carbohydrates, such as a bran muffin. Past research also bears this out, showing that eating nuts is beneficial for your weight.
In one study comparing those who ate a low-calorie diet that included either almonds or complex carbs, the almond group had a:2
Nuts Help Your Heart, Lower Your Risk of Diabetes
As a natural, whole food, nuts are excellent sources of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can boost your health in numerous ways above and beyond weight control.
For instance, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that those who ate nuts gained numerous benefits compared to non-nut eaters, including:4
“Nut/tree nut consumption was associated with a decreased prevalence of selected risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and MetS [metabolic syndrome].”
If you’re interested in protecting your heart health, snacking on nuts is a far better option than snacking on whole grains, which are often touted as a heart-healthy choice. A study in the journal Circulation found people with abnormally high levels of lipids, such as cholesterol, in their blood, were able to significantly reduce their risk factors for coronary heart disease by snacking on whole almonds while those who snacked on whole-wheat muffins got no such benefit.5
One reason why nuts are so beneficial is that many, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews and peanuts, contain the amino acid l-arginine, which offers multiple vascular benefits to people with heart disease, or those who have increased risk for heart disease due to multiple cardiac risk factors.
Are Certain Nuts Better Than Others?
With the exception of peanuts (which are technically a legume, heavily pesticide-laden and often contaminated with the carcinogenic mold aflatoxin), most nut varieties have something to offer your health. Generally speaking, each type of nut will offer a slightly different mix of nutrients for your health. For instance:
Soaking Nuts Helps Break Down Phytic Acid
Phytic acid, which is found in the coatings of nuts, is an “anti-nutrient” responsible for leeching vital nutrients from your body. Phytic acid also blocks the uptake of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. The presence of phytic acid is one reason why I recommend avoiding non-fermented soy… and it’s also the reason why I strongly recommend soaking nuts for at least eight to 12 hours before eating them. This will help to get rid of the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors, which can interfere with the function of your own digestive and metabolic enzymes, in the nuts. To make them more palatable you can you a dehydrator (I like the Excalibur) to improve the texture.
Enzyme inhibitors in nuts (and seeds) help protect the nut as it grows, helping to decrease enzyme activity and prevent premature sprouting. When nuts are soaked, the germination process begins, allowing the enzyme inhibitors to be deactivated and increasing the nutrition of the nut significantly, as well as making them much easier to digest. Macadamia nuts (and other white nuts) have only negligible amounts of enzyme inhibitors, so soaking is not as necessary.
Choose Raw Organic Nuts, Ideally
To increase the positive impacts on your health, look for nuts that are organic and raw, not irradiated or pasteurized. Be aware that pasteurized almonds sold in North America can still be labeled “raw” even though they've been subjected to one of the following pasteurization methods:
When consumed with these guidelines in mind, raw, organic nuts are a convenient and enjoyable superfood to add to your diet. And this is precisely why they’re recommended as one of the best sources of healthy fats in my nutrition plan.
In fact, if you’re watching your weight, a small handful of nuts like almonds is a better snack choice than a snack high in complex carbohydrates, such as a bran muffin. Past research also bears this out, showing that eating nuts is beneficial for your weight.
In one study comparing those who ate a low-calorie diet that included either almonds or complex carbs, the almond group had a:2
- 62 percent greater reduction in their weight/BMI
- 50 percent greater reduction in waist circumference
- 56 percent greater reduction in body fat
Nuts Help Your Heart, Lower Your Risk of Diabetes
As a natural, whole food, nuts are excellent sources of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can boost your health in numerous ways above and beyond weight control.
For instance, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that those who ate nuts gained numerous benefits compared to non-nut eaters, including:4
- Decreased body mass index and waist circumference
- Lower systolic blood pressure
- Lower weight
- Less likelihood of having two risk factors for metabolic syndrome: high blood pressure and low HDL (good) cholesterol (for nut consumers)
- Less likelihood of having four risk factors for metabolic syndrome: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose and a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (for tree nut consumers)
“Nut/tree nut consumption was associated with a decreased prevalence of selected risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and MetS [metabolic syndrome].”
If you’re interested in protecting your heart health, snacking on nuts is a far better option than snacking on whole grains, which are often touted as a heart-healthy choice. A study in the journal Circulation found people with abnormally high levels of lipids, such as cholesterol, in their blood, were able to significantly reduce their risk factors for coronary heart disease by snacking on whole almonds while those who snacked on whole-wheat muffins got no such benefit.5
One reason why nuts are so beneficial is that many, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews and peanuts, contain the amino acid l-arginine, which offers multiple vascular benefits to people with heart disease, or those who have increased risk for heart disease due to multiple cardiac risk factors.
Are Certain Nuts Better Than Others?
With the exception of peanuts (which are technically a legume, heavily pesticide-laden and often contaminated with the carcinogenic mold aflatoxin), most nut varieties have something to offer your health. Generally speaking, each type of nut will offer a slightly different mix of nutrients for your health. For instance:
- Raw macadamia nuts are a powerhouse of a nut, containing a wide variety of critical nutrients including high amounts of vitamin B1, magnesium, manganese and healthful monounsaturated fat, just to name a few. I eat about two pounds of macadamia nuts a week not only because I enjoy them, but also because they are relatively low in carbs and protein and high in olieic acid, omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid, which is the same fatty acid found in olive oil.
- Walnuts:Walnuts are good sources of plant-based omega-3 fats, natural phytosterols and antioxidants that are so powerful at free-radical scavenging that researchers called them “remarkable.”6 Plus, walnuts may help reduce not only the risk of prostate cancer, but breast cancer as well. They’ve also been shown to reverse brain aging in rats and boost heart health in people with diabetes.
- Almonds: One of the healthiest aspects of almonds appears to be their skins, as they are rich in antioxidants including phenols, flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are typically associated with vegetables and fruits. A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry even revealed that a one-ounce serving of almonds has a similar amount of total polyphenols as a cup of steamed broccoli or green tea.7
- Pecans: Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals, and research has shown they may help lower LDL cholesterol and promote healthy arteries. One of my favorite treats is candied pecans in a salad at a restaurant. I know they have sugar but a few grams or less a day is harmless.
- Brazil Nuts: Brazil nuts are an excellent source of organic selenium, a powerful antioxidant-boosting mineral that may help prevent cancer.
Soaking Nuts Helps Break Down Phytic Acid
Phytic acid, which is found in the coatings of nuts, is an “anti-nutrient” responsible for leeching vital nutrients from your body. Phytic acid also blocks the uptake of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. The presence of phytic acid is one reason why I recommend avoiding non-fermented soy… and it’s also the reason why I strongly recommend soaking nuts for at least eight to 12 hours before eating them. This will help to get rid of the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors, which can interfere with the function of your own digestive and metabolic enzymes, in the nuts. To make them more palatable you can you a dehydrator (I like the Excalibur) to improve the texture.
Enzyme inhibitors in nuts (and seeds) help protect the nut as it grows, helping to decrease enzyme activity and prevent premature sprouting. When nuts are soaked, the germination process begins, allowing the enzyme inhibitors to be deactivated and increasing the nutrition of the nut significantly, as well as making them much easier to digest. Macadamia nuts (and other white nuts) have only negligible amounts of enzyme inhibitors, so soaking is not as necessary.
Choose Raw Organic Nuts, Ideally
To increase the positive impacts on your health, look for nuts that are organic and raw, not irradiated or pasteurized. Be aware that pasteurized almonds sold in North America can still be labeled “raw” even though they've been subjected to one of the following pasteurization methods:
- Oil roasting, dry roasting or blanching
- Steam processing
- Propylene Oxide (PPO) treatment (PPO is a highly toxic flammable chemical compound, once used as a racing fuel before it was prohibited for safety reasons)
When consumed with these guidelines in mind, raw, organic nuts are a convenient and enjoyable superfood to add to your diet. And this is precisely why they’re recommended as one of the best sources of healthy fats in my nutrition plan.
A Mango Every Day - 17 Reasons Why You Need.
Mangoes may very well be the king of all fruits. They fight cancer, alkalize the body, aid in weight loss, regulate diabetes, helpdigestion, clean you skin, and make the perfect snack. Here are 17 healthy reasons why you should be eating a mango every day.
Nutrition chart
One cup of mangoes (225 gms contain) contains the following percentages that apply to daily value.
105 calories
76 percent vitamin C (antioxidant and immune booster)
25 percent vitamin A (antioxidant and vision)
11 percent vitamin B6 plus other B vitamins (hormone production in brain and heart disease prevention)
9 percent healthy probiotic fibre
9 percent copper (copper is a co-factor for many vital enzymes plus production of red blood cells)
7 percent potassium (to balance out our high sodium intake)
4 percent magnesium
1. Fights cancer
Antioxidants like quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat present in mango protect the body against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers.
2. Keeps cholesterol in check
Mango has high level of vitamin C, pectin and fibres that help to lower serum cholesterol levels. Fresh mango is a rich source of potassium, which is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps to control heart rate and blood pressure.
3. Skin cleanser
Mangoes help you unclog your pores and add freshness to the face. Mangoes are applicable to any skin type. They help clear clogged pores that cause acne. Just slice a mango into thin pieces and keep them on your face for 10 to 15 minutes and then take bath or wash your face and see the results.
4. Alkalizes the body
According to natural health school.com, mango is rich in tartaric acid, malic acid and traces of citric acid that primarily help in maintaining the alkali reserve of the body.
5. Weight loss
Mango has a lot of vitamins and nutrients that help the body feel fuller. Also, the fibrous fruit boosts the digestive function of the body by burning additional calories, helping in weight loss.
6. Regulates diabetes
Not only the fruit but the leaves of mangoes are healthy too. For people suffering from diabetes, just boil 5-6 mango leaves in a vessel, soak it through night and drink the filtered decoction in the morning. This is helps in regulating your insulin levels.
Mango has a low glycemic index (41-60) so going a little overboard will not increase your sugar levels.
7. Aphrodisiac
Mango has aphrodisiac qualities and is also called the ‘love fruit’. Mangoes increase the virility in men. Vitamin E, which is abundantly present in mangoes, helps to regulate sex hormones and boosts sex drive.
8. Eye care
Did you know that mango is rich in vitamin A. One cup of sliced mangoes equals 25% intake of your daily need of vitamin A. Mangoes help in promoting good eye sight, fights dry eyes and also prevent night blindness.
9. Helps in digestion
Mango contains enzymes that help in breaking down protein. The fibrous nature of mango helps in digestion and elimination. It is is rich in pre-biotic dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.
10. Heat stroke
When the sun is bogging you down this summer, just chop of a mango in a juicer; add a little water and a tbsp of sugar free or honey. This juice will instantly cool you down and prevent heat stroke.
11. Strengthens your immune
The deadly combination of vitamin C, vitamin A and 25 different kinds of carotenoids keep your immune system healthy.
12. Body scrub
Make a paste of mashed mango, honey and milk and use as a body scrub, you will feel that your skin is tender and smooth.
13. Aids concentration and memory
Studying for exams? This fruit is rich in glutamine acid– an important protein for concentration and memory. Feed mangoes to children who find it difficult to concentrate on studies.
14. High iron for women
Mango is rich in iron, hence it is a great natural solution for people suffering from anemia. Menopausal and pregnant women can indulge in mangoes as this will increase their iron levels and calcium at the same time.
15. Reduces Kidney Stones
In Chinese medicine, mangoes are considered sweet and sour with a cooling energy also capable of reducing the risk of kidney stone formation.
16. Perfect Snack
Instead of snacking on unhealthy chips and cookies, why not feast on slices of mangoes instead. They are perhaps one of the tastiest dehydrated fruits of all.
17. Stomach Tonic
Before going to bed put some 10 or 15 mango leaves in warm water and close it with lid. The next day morning filter the water and drink it in empty stomach. Do this regularly.
Mae Chan holds degrees in both physiology and nutritional sciences. She is also blogger and and technology enthusiast with a passion for disseminating information about health.
Mango Effective in Preventing Colon and Breast Cancer
Nutrition chart
One cup of mangoes (225 gms contain) contains the following percentages that apply to daily value.
105 calories
76 percent vitamin C (antioxidant and immune booster)
25 percent vitamin A (antioxidant and vision)
11 percent vitamin B6 plus other B vitamins (hormone production in brain and heart disease prevention)
9 percent healthy probiotic fibre
9 percent copper (copper is a co-factor for many vital enzymes plus production of red blood cells)
7 percent potassium (to balance out our high sodium intake)
4 percent magnesium
1. Fights cancer
Antioxidants like quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat present in mango protect the body against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers.
2. Keeps cholesterol in check
Mango has high level of vitamin C, pectin and fibres that help to lower serum cholesterol levels. Fresh mango is a rich source of potassium, which is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps to control heart rate and blood pressure.
3. Skin cleanser
Mangoes help you unclog your pores and add freshness to the face. Mangoes are applicable to any skin type. They help clear clogged pores that cause acne. Just slice a mango into thin pieces and keep them on your face for 10 to 15 minutes and then take bath or wash your face and see the results.
4. Alkalizes the body
According to natural health school.com, mango is rich in tartaric acid, malic acid and traces of citric acid that primarily help in maintaining the alkali reserve of the body.
5. Weight loss
Mango has a lot of vitamins and nutrients that help the body feel fuller. Also, the fibrous fruit boosts the digestive function of the body by burning additional calories, helping in weight loss.
6. Regulates diabetes
Not only the fruit but the leaves of mangoes are healthy too. For people suffering from diabetes, just boil 5-6 mango leaves in a vessel, soak it through night and drink the filtered decoction in the morning. This is helps in regulating your insulin levels.
Mango has a low glycemic index (41-60) so going a little overboard will not increase your sugar levels.
7. Aphrodisiac
Mango has aphrodisiac qualities and is also called the ‘love fruit’. Mangoes increase the virility in men. Vitamin E, which is abundantly present in mangoes, helps to regulate sex hormones and boosts sex drive.
8. Eye care
Did you know that mango is rich in vitamin A. One cup of sliced mangoes equals 25% intake of your daily need of vitamin A. Mangoes help in promoting good eye sight, fights dry eyes and also prevent night blindness.
9. Helps in digestion
Mango contains enzymes that help in breaking down protein. The fibrous nature of mango helps in digestion and elimination. It is is rich in pre-biotic dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.
10. Heat stroke
When the sun is bogging you down this summer, just chop of a mango in a juicer; add a little water and a tbsp of sugar free or honey. This juice will instantly cool you down and prevent heat stroke.
11. Strengthens your immune
The deadly combination of vitamin C, vitamin A and 25 different kinds of carotenoids keep your immune system healthy.
12. Body scrub
Make a paste of mashed mango, honey and milk and use as a body scrub, you will feel that your skin is tender and smooth.
13. Aids concentration and memory
Studying for exams? This fruit is rich in glutamine acid– an important protein for concentration and memory. Feed mangoes to children who find it difficult to concentrate on studies.
14. High iron for women
Mango is rich in iron, hence it is a great natural solution for people suffering from anemia. Menopausal and pregnant women can indulge in mangoes as this will increase their iron levels and calcium at the same time.
15. Reduces Kidney Stones
In Chinese medicine, mangoes are considered sweet and sour with a cooling energy also capable of reducing the risk of kidney stone formation.
16. Perfect Snack
Instead of snacking on unhealthy chips and cookies, why not feast on slices of mangoes instead. They are perhaps one of the tastiest dehydrated fruits of all.
17. Stomach Tonic
Before going to bed put some 10 or 15 mango leaves in warm water and close it with lid. The next day morning filter the water and drink it in empty stomach. Do this regularly.
Mae Chan holds degrees in both physiology and nutritional sciences. She is also blogger and and technology enthusiast with a passion for disseminating information about health.
Mango Effective in Preventing Colon and Breast Cancer
Green Peas and Broccoli Superfood good for Health
A compound in broccoli, glucosinolate, produces a metabolite called sulforaphane that is responsible for many of broccoli’s health-promoting properties.
Sulforaphane has been shown to have anti-diabetic and antimicrobial properties, and also kills cancer stem cells, which strikes to the heart of tumor malignancy. It can also significantly improve your blood pressure and kidney function, among other benefits.
Broccoli Sprouts – Another Way to Increase Your Intake of GlucoraphaninSmall quantities of fresh broccoli sprouts actually contain as much cancer protection as larger amounts of the mature vegetable.
According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Just 5 grams (0.17 ounces) of sprouts contain concentrations of the compound glucoraphanin equal to that found in 150 grams (5.2 ounces) of mature broccoli.
In fact, their research showed that 3-day-old sprouts of both broccoli and cauliflower may contain anywhere from 10 to 100 times higher levels of glucoraphanin than the corresponding mature plants!2
So if you’re looking for an inexpensive superfood, sprouts are it. An article published last year3 listed 10 reasons for eating sprouts, including the following:
Other phytonutrients in peas, including saponins, phenolic acids like ferulic and caffeic acid, and flavanols like catechin and epicatechin, have also been shown to offer powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, and may be responsible for peas’ beneficial impact on diabetes.5 Green peas are also unique in their relatively large amounts of protein and fiber, which may help with blood sugar regulation. Interestingly, peas also impart many benefits to the environment in which they’re grown. For example:6
Which Other Vegetables Are the ‘Best’ to Eat?There’s little doubt that one of the best ways to improve your health is to make sure you’re eating plenty of fresh, minimally processed high-quality vegetables, ideally locally-grown and organic, with a majority of them consumed raw.
My Recommended Vegetables List provides a guide to the most nutritious vegetables and those to limit due to their high carbohydrate content. Broccoli is certainly on the most nutritious list, but so are many others like celery, Bok Choy and beet greens. Remember, variety is key. So while broccoli and peas were the focus of this article, they should be part of a wide variety of vegetables and legumes in your diet.
Generally speaking, the greener the vegetable, the more nutritious it will be, although red and orange vegetables, like peppers and certain varieties of chard, are also extremely healthful.
Sprouting is undoubtedly one of the best ways to increase the nutritional content of your veggie intake even further, but there are other “tricks” you can use as well. Fermented veggies are another outstanding superfood, as is fresh vegetable juice. Both fermented vegetables and juicing organic vegetables are highly recommended to patients in our clinic who are working to restore or improve their health.
Sulforaphane has been shown to have anti-diabetic and antimicrobial properties, and also kills cancer stem cells, which strikes to the heart of tumor malignancy. It can also significantly improve your blood pressure and kidney function, among other benefits.
Broccoli Sprouts – Another Way to Increase Your Intake of GlucoraphaninSmall quantities of fresh broccoli sprouts actually contain as much cancer protection as larger amounts of the mature vegetable.
According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Just 5 grams (0.17 ounces) of sprouts contain concentrations of the compound glucoraphanin equal to that found in 150 grams (5.2 ounces) of mature broccoli.
In fact, their research showed that 3-day-old sprouts of both broccoli and cauliflower may contain anywhere from 10 to 100 times higher levels of glucoraphanin than the corresponding mature plants!2
So if you’re looking for an inexpensive superfood, sprouts are it. An article published last year3 listed 10 reasons for eating sprouts, including the following:
- Sprouts can contain up to 100 times more enzymes than raw fruits and vegetables, allowing your body to extract more vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fats from the foods you eat
- Both the quality of the protein and the fiber content of beans, nuts, seeds and grains improves when sprouted
- The content of vitamins and essential fatty acids also increase dramatically during the sprouting process. For example, depending on the sprout, the nutrient content can increase as much as 30 times the original value within just a few days of sprouting. Sunflower seed and pea sprouts tend to top the list of all the seeds that you can sprout and are typically each about 30 times more nutritious than organic vegetables you can even harvest in your backyard garden
- During sprouting, minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, bind to protein, making them more bioavailable
- Sprouts are the ultimate locally grown food, and can easily be grown in your own kitchen, so you know exactly what you’re eating. And since they’re very inexpensive, cost is no excuse for avoiding them
Other phytonutrients in peas, including saponins, phenolic acids like ferulic and caffeic acid, and flavanols like catechin and epicatechin, have also been shown to offer powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, and may be responsible for peas’ beneficial impact on diabetes.5 Green peas are also unique in their relatively large amounts of protein and fiber, which may help with blood sugar regulation. Interestingly, peas also impart many benefits to the environment in which they’re grown. For example:6
- Peas are a “nitrogen fixing” crop, which means they (along with bacteria in the soil) take nitrogen from the air and convert it into more usable forms, increasing nitrogen in the soil without the need for additional fertilizer
- Peas may help prevent soil erosion and add to soil replenishment when the plants are broken down after harvest
- Rotating peas with other crops may lower the risk of pest problems
- Support for cell regeneration
- Powerful sources of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and enzymes that protect against free radical damage
- Alkalinizing effect on your body, which is thought to protect against disease, including cancer (as many tumors are acidic)
- Abundantly rich in oxygen, which can also help protect against abnormal cell growth, viruses and bacteria that cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment
- Broccoli: known to have anti-cancer properties, courtesy of the enzyme sulforaphane
- Alfalfa: a significant dietary source of phytoestrogens. Also a good source of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F, and K
- Wheat grass: high in vitamins B, C, E and many minerals
- Mung bean: good source of protein, fiber, vitamin C and A
- Clover: significant source of isoflavones
- Lentil sprouts: contain 26 percent protein, and can be eaten without cooking
- Sunflower: contains, minerals, healthy fats, essential fatty acids, fiber, and phytosterols. It’s also one of the highest in protein
- Pea shoots: good source of vitamins A, C and folic acid and one of the highest in protein
Which Other Vegetables Are the ‘Best’ to Eat?There’s little doubt that one of the best ways to improve your health is to make sure you’re eating plenty of fresh, minimally processed high-quality vegetables, ideally locally-grown and organic, with a majority of them consumed raw.
My Recommended Vegetables List provides a guide to the most nutritious vegetables and those to limit due to their high carbohydrate content. Broccoli is certainly on the most nutritious list, but so are many others like celery, Bok Choy and beet greens. Remember, variety is key. So while broccoli and peas were the focus of this article, they should be part of a wide variety of vegetables and legumes in your diet.
Generally speaking, the greener the vegetable, the more nutritious it will be, although red and orange vegetables, like peppers and certain varieties of chard, are also extremely healthful.
Sprouting is undoubtedly one of the best ways to increase the nutritional content of your veggie intake even further, but there are other “tricks” you can use as well. Fermented veggies are another outstanding superfood, as is fresh vegetable juice. Both fermented vegetables and juicing organic vegetables are highly recommended to patients in our clinic who are working to restore or improve their health.
5 A DAY on the run
If your life keeps you on the run – working late, travelling often, always busy – it might seem hard to eat enough fruit and vegetables. But make a few easy changes and you can fit 5 A DAY into the busiest schedule.
When you eat out, it can be hard to know exactly how much, if any, fruit and veg is in your food. Ready-made meals often contain less fruit and vegetables (and more fat and sugar) than the meals you’d cook for yourself.
All that can mean trouble when it comes to getting your 5 A DAY. But a few easy habits, and a little planning ahead, can help you increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat.
Dietitian Azmina Govindji has helped many time-pressed professionals fit 5 A DAY into their lifestyle.
"Changing your diet is a matter of acquiring a new habit," she says. "When you eat out or eat a ready meal, you’re less in control of what’s going into that food. So get into the habit of asking: what can I do that will add at least one portion of fruit or vegetables to this meal?"
For example, if you have a ready meal for dinner (ideally this will only happen occasionally as many are high in fat and salt), add some vegetables on the side, says Govindji.
"It can be as simple as opening a can of sweetcorn to put on the side. Just remember your question: What can I do to add a portion of fruit or vegetables?"
Once you get into that habit, says Govindji, you'll find it can be applied in many different situations.
Add a portion
At breakfast
You could slice fruit over your cereal or just grab a banana before you leave the house. If your breakfast is scrambled eggs, add some mushrooms or tomatoes.
For elevenses
Take apples, clementines, pears or satsumas to work to snack on. Or why not have some carrot or celery sticks with reduced-fat houmous? This requires a little forward planning. Think about what you want to take to work and buy it the next time you do your shopping.
At a sandwich bar for lunch
Can you add extra salad to your sandwich, roll or baguette? And have some fruit or a fresh, unsweetened 100% fruit juice for dessert.
In a restaurant
Can you order a starter, side vegetable or salad, or add an extra ingredient – to a pizza for example – that will count as one portion? Check the menu for starters and sides, and don’t be afraid to ask if the chef can add steamed vegetables to a dish or fruit to a pudding. Instead of ordering chips, ask for a fresh salad or some roasted vegetables.
When ordering a takeaway
How can you add a portion to a takeaway? If you have a Chinese, for example, add stir-fried vegetables. When ordering a pizza, ask for extra mushrooms on top to help towards your 5 A DAY. If you're having a curry, order a side vegetable dish.
Be aware that some vegetable dishes may be high in fat. Dishes that come in a tomato or vegetable-based sauce are usually lower in fat than those in cream or cheese-based sauces. Steamed vegetables are normally lower in fat than fried vegetables. Most takeaways and other fast foods contain high levels of fat, salt and sugar, so only have them occasionally or in small amounts as part of a balanced diet.
When eating out
Why not order a salad filled with a variety of vegetables for your main course, and ask for lower-fat dressing?
How will you add one portion of fruit and vegetables to food on the run? Make that question part of your daily routine and you’ll soon hit your 5 A DAY target.
When you eat out, it can be hard to know exactly how much, if any, fruit and veg is in your food. Ready-made meals often contain less fruit and vegetables (and more fat and sugar) than the meals you’d cook for yourself.
All that can mean trouble when it comes to getting your 5 A DAY. But a few easy habits, and a little planning ahead, can help you increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat.
Dietitian Azmina Govindji has helped many time-pressed professionals fit 5 A DAY into their lifestyle.
"Changing your diet is a matter of acquiring a new habit," she says. "When you eat out or eat a ready meal, you’re less in control of what’s going into that food. So get into the habit of asking: what can I do that will add at least one portion of fruit or vegetables to this meal?"
For example, if you have a ready meal for dinner (ideally this will only happen occasionally as many are high in fat and salt), add some vegetables on the side, says Govindji.
"It can be as simple as opening a can of sweetcorn to put on the side. Just remember your question: What can I do to add a portion of fruit or vegetables?"
Once you get into that habit, says Govindji, you'll find it can be applied in many different situations.
Add a portion
At breakfast
You could slice fruit over your cereal or just grab a banana before you leave the house. If your breakfast is scrambled eggs, add some mushrooms or tomatoes.
For elevenses
Take apples, clementines, pears or satsumas to work to snack on. Or why not have some carrot or celery sticks with reduced-fat houmous? This requires a little forward planning. Think about what you want to take to work and buy it the next time you do your shopping.
At a sandwich bar for lunch
Can you add extra salad to your sandwich, roll or baguette? And have some fruit or a fresh, unsweetened 100% fruit juice for dessert.
In a restaurant
Can you order a starter, side vegetable or salad, or add an extra ingredient – to a pizza for example – that will count as one portion? Check the menu for starters and sides, and don’t be afraid to ask if the chef can add steamed vegetables to a dish or fruit to a pudding. Instead of ordering chips, ask for a fresh salad or some roasted vegetables.
When ordering a takeaway
How can you add a portion to a takeaway? If you have a Chinese, for example, add stir-fried vegetables. When ordering a pizza, ask for extra mushrooms on top to help towards your 5 A DAY. If you're having a curry, order a side vegetable dish.
Be aware that some vegetable dishes may be high in fat. Dishes that come in a tomato or vegetable-based sauce are usually lower in fat than those in cream or cheese-based sauces. Steamed vegetables are normally lower in fat than fried vegetables. Most takeaways and other fast foods contain high levels of fat, salt and sugar, so only have them occasionally or in small amounts as part of a balanced diet.
When eating out
Why not order a salad filled with a variety of vegetables for your main course, and ask for lower-fat dressing?
How will you add one portion of fruit and vegetables to food on the run? Make that question part of your daily routine and you’ll soon hit your 5 A DAY target.
8 Fantastic Herbs for Arthritis Inflammation
Arthritis is actually an umbrella term used for a group of more than 100 medical conditions that collectively affect nearly 46 million adults and 300,000 children in America alone, according to Arthritis Foundation. And the most common is osteoarthritis more prevalent in people over 60.
The common thread among these 100-plus conditions is that they all affect the musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints – where two or more bones meet. Arthritis-related joint problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage (the tough, smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones, enabling them to glide against one another) and surrounding structures.
If you or members of your family are suffering from joint pain and inflammation, it’s a good idea to consult your family physician. And while at home waiting for a doctor’s appointment, why not try to do a natural remedies for arthritis?
Linda B. White, M.D., who teaches herbal medicine classes in the Integrative Therapeutic Practices Program at Metropolitan State College of Denver, share 8 powerful herbs that you can use to reduce joint pain and inflammation. These natural arthritis remedies act more slowly than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but have fewer side effects.
The 8 herbs for arthritis Dr. White recommends are:
1. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – contains the potent anti-inflammatory chemical curcumin
2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – decreases pain and inflammation
3. Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) also called Indian frankincense – improves knee arthritis
4. Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) – decreases arthritis symptoms
5. Two species of cat’s claw:
5.1 Uncaria guianensis – relieves knee pain during activity in people with osteoarthritis
5.2 U. Tomentosa – reduces rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
6. Willow (Salix spp.) – has long been used to reduce pain and inflammation
7. Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) – contains capsaicin, which inhibits inflammation and interferes with pain transmission
8. Stinging nettle’s (Urtica dioica) – relieves hand arthritis
The common thread among these 100-plus conditions is that they all affect the musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints – where two or more bones meet. Arthritis-related joint problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage (the tough, smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones, enabling them to glide against one another) and surrounding structures.
If you or members of your family are suffering from joint pain and inflammation, it’s a good idea to consult your family physician. And while at home waiting for a doctor’s appointment, why not try to do a natural remedies for arthritis?
Linda B. White, M.D., who teaches herbal medicine classes in the Integrative Therapeutic Practices Program at Metropolitan State College of Denver, share 8 powerful herbs that you can use to reduce joint pain and inflammation. These natural arthritis remedies act more slowly than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but have fewer side effects.
The 8 herbs for arthritis Dr. White recommends are:
1. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – contains the potent anti-inflammatory chemical curcumin
2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – decreases pain and inflammation
3. Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) also called Indian frankincense – improves knee arthritis
4. Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) – decreases arthritis symptoms
5. Two species of cat’s claw:
5.1 Uncaria guianensis – relieves knee pain during activity in people with osteoarthritis
5.2 U. Tomentosa – reduces rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
6. Willow (Salix spp.) – has long been used to reduce pain and inflammation
7. Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) – contains capsaicin, which inhibits inflammation and interferes with pain transmission
8. Stinging nettle’s (Urtica dioica) – relieves hand arthritis