Question:

My nine year old was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in hips, knees and feet, any ideas or natural remedies?

Answer:

Rheumatoid Arthritis affects all connective tissue, especially cartilage and joint linings, and including bone, ligaments, tendons, dermis (underlying layer of skin), and joint membranes. It is associated with chronic inflammation especially in joints. RA is considered an auto immune hypersensitivity reaction so immune boosters will only exacerbate the underlying problem. Susceptibility to auto immune diseases can be increased by a weakened immune system, a poor diet and environmental pollutants. Rheumatoid Arthritis is most often diagnosed in adults and is less often diagnosed in children, when it can also be associated with enlargement of the spleen and swollen, tender lymph nodes. Very often, RA is attributed to leaky gut caused by dysbiosis. This can commonly be associated with poor digestion which allows toxins to enter the blood. Now the immune system is constantly circulating immune complexes which causes inflammation in joints and muscles. (Whillier, Stephney. Nutritional Pathology and the Health Care of The Future, CSNN Publishing, 2001.)

Leaky gut equals increased arthritic symptoms. (Retrieved December 19, 2012 from http://www.icnr.org/home-page/colostrum-a-autoimmune-disorders.html, CNR Center for Nutritional Research.)

Be careful to research any medications thoroughly. NSAIDS can increase leaky gut and cause bleeding gastric ulcers. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory but can cause immune system suppression which can lead to susceptibility to infections and further confusion of the autoimmune process. Other side effects are mobilization of fat and protein (lean body mass) to form glucose, increased insulin resistance, diabetes and heart disease. As lean body mass is lost, bone thinning can occur, as well as water retention, muscle weakness, easy bruising, peptic ulcers, excess facial hair, insomnia and blood clots. (Whillier, Stephney. Nutritional Pathology and the Health Care of The Future, CSNN Publishing, 2001.)

Action Steps

    1. TAKE CARE of your digestive tract. To address the dysbiosis/dysbacteriosis (refers to microbial imbalances in the gut), include gentle cleansing with raw fruits and vegetables, lots of water with lemon juice, naturally fermented foods, gentle exercise, stretching, yoga, walking, fresh air, lots of rest, and NO stress.
    2. ELIMINATE all genetically modified foods and other crops with associated PESTICIDES including CORN, SOY, CANOLA and SUGAR from SUGAR BEETS which can be very destructive to the digestive and immune systems and some believe, have not been properly tested. Purchase organic foods, and whole fresh foods from local farmers and markets whenever possible and grow your own. It’s simple, fun and inexpensive.
    3. No GLUTEN from WHEAT, RYE, SPELT, OATS and BARLEY. There are many alternatives here but be careful of added products in all packaged foods, ie corn starch. A note about wheat: Today’s wheat can have gluten content up to 50% of total protein, when old time natural wheats had very low amounts of gluten. Also, wheat contains gliadin protein which acts like an addictive opiate (Retrieved December 19, 2012 from http://www.naturalnews.com/037133_wheat_gluten_poison.html).
    4. NO COMMON ALLERGENS including DAIRY, BEEF and NIGHTSHADES (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers).

Tip: If you are craving dairy badly, go to the health-food section of your grocer or a dedicated health-food store and purchase unpasteurized or raw organic cheese. Eat enough until your craving is satisfied, then continue with no dairy.

  1. NO ADDITIVES, DYES, PRESERVATIVES, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOURS, MSG, monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed proteins including from soy, corn, wheat.
  2. NO HYDROGENATED or PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED fats found in peanut butter, crackers, cookies, shortening, baked goods, packaged, frozen packaged and canned foods.
  3. CLEANSING for one day (children) to several and up to ten days (adults only) on herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint, lavendar, fennel seed, sage, oregano, thyme, rosemary, ginger, turmeric teas), fresh raw garlic, vegetable broths and juice with fresh raw carrots, beets and celery. No fruits during this time. Short fasts for several hours on fresh water only will also help facilitate cleansing. Include lots of rest, fresh air and sunshine.
  4. Wide variety of fruits and vegetables, cabbage and other cruciferous can help heal the gut in small and regular amounts. Whole unprocessed diet, protein from fish, especially cold water fish with omega 3s, raw hemp seeds, eggs, dairy (raw organic only), and quality organic meat. Drink two or three cups of fresh, raw fruit and vegetable juice every day to increase antioxidant protection against free radicals, which are produced during the inflammatory process. Raw fruit and vegetable juices can be watered down. PINEAPPLE, GINGER and TURMERIC can help to reduce inflammation.
  5. SUPPLEMENTAL FOODS: 2 tsp raw hemp seed oil or flax seed oil daily
    One or two fresh raw Brazil nuts for Selenium and pumpkin seeds for Zinc or blended into a smoothie (both reduce inflammation)
    Good Quality Vitamin C supplement
    Good Quality Pro-biotic culture

“Arthritis sufferers with an associated severe dysbiosis have been found to react badly to many carbohydrates, like the many grains found in a vegetarian diet. This is because the destruction of the villi and the increased amount of mucus in the gut associated with all the inflammation in a dysbiosis also destroys disaccharidase production or prevents the disaccharidases, which are secreted from the tips of the villi, from getting to the disaccharide maltose and the body now no longer has the enzyme to digest the maltose. Same problem with sucrose and with lactose from dairy products.” 

(Whillier, Stephney. Nutritional Pathology and the Health Care of The Future, CSNN Publishing, 2001.)

 

Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet by Elaine Gottschall

Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet by Elaine Gottschall

Follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, in Elaine Gottshall’s book, Breaking The Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet. It allows many meats, fish, cheeses, naturally fermented yogourt, vegetables, fruits, nuts and nut flours.

References:

Whillier, Stephney. Nutritional Pathology and the Health Care of The Future, CSNN Publishing, 2001.

Modern Day Wheat Is A Chronic Poison, Natural News. Retrieved from http://www.naturalnews.com/037133_wheat_gluten_poison.html December 19, 2012.

Colostrum and Immune Disorders, CNR Center for Nutritional Research. Retrieved from http://www.icnr.org/home-page/colostrum-a-autoimmune-disorders.html December 19, 2012.