Arthritis and Bad Nutrition

Do you know that a healthy eating plan can reduce (dramatically) your arthritic symptoms? You may think it’s not possible, as you may have suffered from arthritis for years—but it’s true! All it takes is the knowledge of what to do to change your diet in a way that helps your arthritis.

According to the National Institute of Health, arthritis affects one in five people. The majority of these people don’t realise how nutrition plays a big part in the development or treatment of arthritis. Keep in mind that arthritis is an inflammatory condition. If you focus on a diet that helps to reduce inflammation, you can positively affect your arthritis. So, to help your arthritis you need to eat foods that work against inflammation, not help create it.

The first consideration is the amount of food you consume. To start your diet, you need to avoid eating too much. If you consume more calories than you need, you are in danger of gaining weight. Gaining weight puts stress on the body, especially the joints.

The second consideration is your food selection. Let’s start with what foods you should avoid.

To start with, avoid fast food, junk food and confectionary. High sugar content, as well as highly processed and refined foods are pro-inflammatory and aggravate arthritis.

Avoid saturated fats. Saturated fats cause tissue inflammation. The fats to stay away from are  animal products like beef or pork. You should also avoid the skin of chicken or turkey.

Other foods to avoid are those that contain palm oil and palm kernel oil. Foods that contain these oils can include biscuits, snack bars, non-dairy creamers and packaged goods.

Also avoid trans fat. Trans fat was artificially created in a lab to give baked goods a longer shelf life. Since trans fat is artificial, the body can’t do anything with it, so stores it as fat.

Other foods to stay away from are simple and refined carbs, like processed sugar, white flour, white rice, bread and crackers.

If you stay away from bad nutrition, your body will like you and you’ll find your arthritis will be better for it too!

Dr Marcus Chacos

Chiropractor and Founder of the Natural Treatment of Arthritis Institute

Author of The Arthritis Soluiton

www.natural-treatment-of-arthritis-institute.com.au

Are You Ready For Change? Then You're Ready For The Arthritis Solution Book?

Check out the YouTube video on The Arthritis Solution at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS1JnlAikuI

Grab a copy of this life changing book at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Arthritis-Solution-Strategies-ebook/dp/B00B4PIGDS

Arthritis and Chiropractic

When the pain of arthritis sets in, you want relief fast. Medication and topical remedies help, but often only provide temporary relief in the early stages of application. At some point, you’ll need to consider addressing the cause.

With chiropractic, the care you receive focuses on the cause; nerve interference and diminished healing activity within your body. A chiropractic adjustment, both to the spine and peripheral joints, has been proven to restore joint mobility and function, alleviate pain and swelling, and enhance mood and mental function. It also relieves muscle aches and spasms that can contribute to arthritic pain.

At times, chiropractors will recommend you use supportive devices such as shoe inserts, splints, braces or other devices to help ease the weight on specific joints that are causing arthritic pain or to correct mechanical issues. They also recommend lifestyle change, including exercise and diet. These are all part of a complete treatment regime and should be incorporated into your healthcare program.

Dr Marcus Chacos

Chiropractor and Founder of the Natural Treatment of Arthritis Institute

Author of The Arthritis Solution

www.natural-treatment-of-arthritis-institute.com.au

Arthritis and Topical Remedies

There are many support remedies on the market for arthritis. You can take certain supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, and then there are remedies such as avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU). This supplement is made from avocado and soybean oils. Other supplements that have been used to help with arthritis include rose hips, ginger and fish oil. All of these supplements have been used at one time or another by arthritis sufferers and been effective for them.

Besides supplements, you may want to look into other kinds of remedies, like topical rubs and creams. 

Many health food stores and practitioners have remedies such as:

·         OzHealth Arthritis Cream (which includes glucosamine, chondroitin, camphor and peppermint)

·         PainAway Arthritis Cream

·         Elmore Oil

These have all been shown to reduce the pain of arthritis and are now well supported by research. In fact, OzHealth Arthritis Cream has received nationwide press in Australia for its effectiveness and conclusive research.

http://www.7perth.com.au/view/today-tonight-articles/today-tonight-arthritis-cream/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9X-Gq0oF5w

You can try any or all of the remedies mentioned in this blog post, as they appear to have no side effects. It really depends on the type of arthritic pain you have and how you personally respond to each product. So, try each topical remedy, one at a time, to see what works. When you find one that works, stick with it. Use the complete tube, applying the cream three times per day, before discontinuing your trial.

Dr Marcus Chacos

Chiropractor and Founder of the Natural Treatment of Arthritis Institute

www.natural-treatment-of-arthritis-institute.com.au

Arthritis and Glucosamine and Chondroitin

According to scientific evidence, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate work to alleviate pain caused by arthritis. Glucosamine sulfate records the best results in studies and may represent the best choice for supplement takers.

Why use glucosamine? Based on tests done, it has been discovered that glucosamine stimulates production of cartilage-building proteins. What about chondroitin? This chemical has been shown in testing to inhibit production of cartilage-destroying enzymes and fight inflammation.

Before going forward, let’s look at what glucosamine and chondroitin are. Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are common components found in normal cartilage. These two chemicals work together to stimulate the body to make cartilage and repair tissue.

Since glucosamine and chondroitin are produced naturally by the body to create cartilage, it stands to reason that they can be beneficial to those with arthritis. Taking these substances as  supplements has been demonstrated to reduce or alleviate arthritic pain. 

So, if you suffer from arthritic pain, these supplements may be worth a try.

I have two recommendations with this.

1. The supplements need to be taken consistently, for an extended period (not just for a few weeks, missing days). Take the remedy two or three times daily (depending on the concentration and source of the ingredients) for three months before making any decision.
2. Take a practitioner-only brand as chemist, pharmacy and retail store brands are often of a lesser quality and concentration and do not necessarily provide the same results.

Dr Marcus Chacos

Chiropractor and Founder of the Natural Treatment of Arthritis Institute

www.natural-treatment-of-arthritis-institute.com.au

The Obsolete Theory - Peter F. Drucker

Wow, I am blown away by an article I just read from Peter F. Drucker, considered by many the foremost mind on business management of the last 100 years. The article was titled "The Obsolete Theory," emphasising you cannot rejuvenate an obsolete theory of business, one that is no longer applicable, not even through miracle workers.

This is not what moved me. it was the subtitle to his article, which read, "a degenerative disease will not be cured by procrastination, It requires decisive action."

Wow. What a powerful truth and deep insight. He was, of course, referencing a degenerative business philosophy when using this analogy. But it is equally true as it applies to degenerative disease or arthritis.

Many people want the medication or surgery to cure them of arthritis. It can't. It won't. It doesn't. Inactivity never will. Only decisive action can.

And that's exactly what I have been saying to clients for over a decade. Take action with your arthritis, do what works to create the healing that is possible... then you don't need the miracle workers... you become one.

And that's what we teach you in the Arthritis Solution. Check out the program at: http://natural-treatment-of-arthritis-institute.com.au/the-arthritis-solution/

I look forward to seeing you there.

Dr Marcus Chacos

Chiropractor and Founder of the Natural Treatment of Arthritis Institute

www.natural-treatment-of-arthritis-institute.com.au

Arthritis and Acupuncture

If you are suffering from arthritis, you may find that acupuncture can help. Many people have had acupuncture treatments and felt relief from pain and limitation. In fact, several studies have been done that prove acupuncture does help with pain.

Just what is acupuncture and how does it work? Chinese doctors hold the belief that when someone develops illness in their body, it is as a result of the body's ‘energy flow’ being out of balance. When acupuncture is performed, disposable, stainless steel needles are used to stimulate the body's 14 major meridians through which the body energy flows. The needles work by increasing the release of chemicals that block pain, called endorphins. Energetically, the needles release stagnant energy. Physiologically they act to stimulate nerves to create a healing response.

The physiological impact is important if you’re focused on pain relief. When the nerves are stimulated through acupuncture, the nerve signal reaches the brain. The brain then signals endorphins to be released. Endorphins are morphine-like chemicals the body produces during times of pain or stress to lower or block pain. Once these endorphins are released, along with other neurotransmitters (body chemicals that modify nerve impulses), they block the message of pain to the area affected. This can result in a person feeling less pain.

What happens in an acupuncture treatment? The acupuncturist will swab each point of the body where needles are to be placed with an alcohol swab. They will then gently tap a needle into each site. This is usually painless or like a very light pin prick. The number of needles used will depend on the area being treated and the severity of pain. The length of time that the needles are left in the skin after being inserted varies and can range from several minutes to an hour. Oftentimes the acupuncturist will energise the needles electrically, or warm the needles.  

Acupuncture has been known to be successful in treating arthritis. It has helped many people. If you or someone you love has arthritis, try it. If it works, continue treatments.

Dr Marcus Chacos

Chiropractor and Founder of the Natural Treatment of Arthritis Institute

www.natural-treatment-of-arthritis-institute.com.au

PS Here’s some basics on research:

Rheumatoid arthritis

A recent study from China shows that both traditional acupuncture and electroacupuncture—a type in which pulsating electrical currents are sent through the needles to stimulate target areas—may reduce tenderness. All 36 participants had a standardised treatment, whether they received traditional acupuncture or electroacupuncture. During a total of 20 sessions throughout a 10 week period, needles were placed at a depth of about 10 to 20 millimetres and left in place for 30 minutes.

Osteoarthritis

In a German study, 304,674 people with knee osteoarthritis who received 15 sessions of acupuncture, combined with their usual medical care, had less pain and stiffness, improved function and better quality of life than their counterparts who had routine care alone. The improvements occurred immediately after completing a three month course of acupuncture and lasted for at least another three months, indicating osteoarthritis is among conditions that can be successfully treated with acupuncture.

Source: http://www.arthritistoday.org/treatments/alternative-therapies/complementary-therapies/acupuncture-gets-respect.php

Arthritis and Exercise

One great way to help prevent, reduce and eliminate arthritic pain is by being physically active—by exercising! People with arthritis need to remain active and mobile. Walking every day is a great start. Swimming is also a great option as it uses all of the muscles of the body and is non-weight bearing.

Why exercise? It moves the joints. Gentle mobility flushes inflammation from the joints and maintains the body in an active state. Without movement, the body will stiffen up and the inflammation will act like a glue and begin to further limit joint movement.

When it hurts to move, some people might feel that exercising could make their problem worse. In truth, moderate exercise will help your condition by preventing further deterioration and restriction.

If you are unsure what exercise program you should be doing, ask your wellness practitioner. However, as a starting point, consider exercises like walking, swimming or bike riding, if you are able. You should also work with weights or do some other strengthening exercise. Exercise that strengthens the area surrounding the joints will help to stabilise and support them. Strong muscles around the joints will also prevent joint injury.

It is important to get the body moving and keep it moving. Allowing yourself to become less mobile and active will result in your joints becoming more tight and restricted and this is not going to help your arthritis.

Regular exercise has other benefits as well. It helps you lose weight. If you are presently over your ideal weight you should be incorporating exercise into your daily lifestyle routine.

Why live with the pain of arthritis? Exercise today and feel better. You'll be glad you did.

Dr Marcus Chacos

Chiropractor and Founder of the Natural Treatment of Arthritis Institute

www.natural-treatment-of-arthritis-institute.com.au