Natural Support For A Potentially Debilitating Condition
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints where the body’s own immune system “attacks” joint tissue. It is classified as an autoimmune disease for this reason. A number of factors have been implicated in such an autoimmune reaction.
Autoimmune diseases in general relate to some combination of genetic factors, nutritional deficiencies, food allergy, increased intestinal permeability, altered bowel flora, intestinal parasites, stress and environmental factors. Any combination of these may be involved.
It is advisable to seek the help of a qualified alternative medicine practitioner who can help you explore these causes. Conventional medical treatment relies on immune-suppressing drugs as a mainstay of therapy, but recent studies have demonstrated immune deficiency defects in patients with RA in spite of the excess inflammatory condition exhibited toward joints. Conventional treatment does not address this immune deficiency and in most instances actually makes it worse.
Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations
- Follow the Ten Rules for Good Health. Avoid red meat and fowl; emphasize fish.
- Evaluate for food allergies.
- Drink 64 ounces of pure water daily.
- Practice Relaxation techniques. Stress aggravates autoimmune conditions in general. Please watch The Body/Mind Connection video several times for information and insights into the stress/disease connection.
Primary Support
- Maxi Multi: 3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Optimal (not minimal) doses of antioxidants (A,C,E,beta carotene, selenium), manganese, pantothenic acid and zinc are particularly important in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
- Omega 3 fatty acids:
Flax seed meal, 2 teaspoons per day with food
OR
Flax seed capsules: 2-4 caps, 3 times per day (target dose range: 6-12 caps per day)
OR
Flax seed oil: 1 tablespoon per day
OR
Max EPA (Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals (target dose: 3-6 caps per day). - Similase: 2 caps, 3 times per day with meals.
- MSM (750-1,000mg): 1 cap, 3 times per day with meals.
- Bromelain: 2 caps, 3-4 times per day between meals for 4 weeks, then decrease to 1 cap, 3-4 times per day between meals thereafter.
Additional Support
- DHEA: 200-400mg daily in divided doses. A dose this high should be taken only after having a hormone profile performed. (Best to use at this dose with a physician’s guidance).
AND (Take any or ALL of the following): - Grape Seed Extract (50-100mg): 1 capsule, 3 times per day with meals. [Target dose: 150-300mg per day].
- Turmeric (curcumin): 1 cap, 4 times per day between meals. [Target dose: 1,200mg per day].
- Ginger: 1-2 caps, 3-4 times per day. [Target dose: 500-1,000mg per day. Faster improvement has been reported in people who took double this dose, without negative side-effects].
Tests
- Male or female hormone profile: this should always be performed at the initiation of treatment.
- Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) should be performed. Altered bowel flora and /or incomplete digestion are common in RA and should be evaluated and corrected.
- Increased Intestinal Permeability (IP): Altered gut permeability, from drugs, altered bowel flora, deficient digestive enzymes, stress and environmental factors, plays heavily in RA. This should be evaluated and corrected if an abnormality is found.
- Gastric Acid Self-Test: should be conducted. Low digestive function, including low gastric acid production, is a common finding and felt to be contributory to RA.
Dr. Myatt’s Comment
RA can be greatly improved through natural means, but it is important to consult a qualified health practitioner who can help you. I am available for telephone consultations.
