cktimes.ca Archives for Choices4Wellness
Choices4Wellness
Arthritis/Inflammation
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Arthritis ('arth' meaning joint, 'itis' meaning inflammation)it actually consists of more than 100 different conditions ranging from of tendinitis and bursitis to crippling forms such as rheumatoid arthritis. There are pain syndromes like fibromyalgia and forms of the disease, such as gout, that almost nobody connects with arthritis, and there are conditions - like osteoarthritis, the misnamed 'wear and tear' arthritis!
Some forms of arthritis affect children still in diapers, while thousands of people are stricken in the prime of their lives. The common denominator for all these conditions is joint and musculoskeletal pain, which is why they are grouped together as 'arthritis.' Often that pain is a result of inflammation of the joint lining.
Inflammation is involved in many forms of arthritis. It is the body's natural response to injury. The warning signs that inflammation presents are redness, swelling, heat and pain.
Treatment - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen are generally available to provide pain relief from arthritis, but their effectiveness is countered by harsh side effects usually damaging the stomach lining of the patient in the form of stomach ulcers, leading to hospitalization and in severe cases death. An article stated that we bleed 1 teaspoon of blood every time we take an asprin ! Think twice!!
There are other more powerful anti-inflammatory drugs with just as many side effects and some known as Cox inhibitors but I will not go into them .
Natural treatments! As far as I am concerned the only way!
Water – that's right water - pure water, your cells need to stay hydrated. Water is your cushion for your joints. Every time you have a coffee, juice or alcoholic beverage you need another glass(8 oz.) of water .
Findings of Dr. Batmanghelidj shows the key role played by dehydration in creating back ailments in human beings. The spinal discs consist of about eighty percent water. When these discs atrophy through varying degrees of dehydration, an afflicted human is off on one of the most miserable medical merry-go-rounds known to man. The human spine has to support about 75 percent of body weight. Without fully-hydrated and resilient spinal discs, the spine cannot perform its function properly.
Ginger is probably the anti-arthritis drug with the longest tradition. Ginger has been used to this end for hundreds of years. It's an antagonist to prostaglandins. On a lower level, garlic also helps control prostaglandins.
A Danish study of 56 people who had either arthritis or muscular discomfort reported that three - fourths of the arthritis sufferers experienced relief from their symptoms , while 100% of the people who had muscular achiness experienced relief from their painful symptoms.
Omega-3 fish oils are a rich source of essential fatty acids (EFAs) . Omega-3 oils have been shown to suppress the production of PGE-2, which contributes to arthritis by degrading collagen needed for the cartilage that lines the joints. PGE-2 is also a pro-inflammatory prostaglandin that contributes to the arthritis inflammatory cascade. A large number of studies have confirmed the usefulness of omega-3 oils in relieving tender joints and morning stiffness, in some cases eliminating the need for NSAID medication.
Boswellia is an Ayurvedic plant that contains anti-inflammatory triterpenoids called boswellic acids (5-Loxin). Boswellia serrata tree native to India. The aromatic gum resins from this tree have been used by practitioners of the Avurvedic system of medicine to treat arthritis for centuries.
Nettle leaf is an herb that has a long tradition of use as an adjuvant remedy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Germany .
SAM-e, (short for S-adenosylmethionine, also spelled SAMe) made from the amino acid methionine and ATP. SAM-e is a methyl donor involved in the making of dozens of important compounds in the body. Some studies have suggested that SAM-e possesses anti-inflammatory and tissue-healing properties that may help protect the health of joints, and perhaps may lessen pain.
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an essential fatty acid is a fatty acid found in evening primrose oil, borage oil, and black currant seed oil that has been used to suppress chronic inflammation.
Antioxidants is the name given to a powerful combination of nutrients and enzymes that help to protect our bodies against the ravages of harmful free radicals. Antioxidants help prevent or repair damage done to the body's cells by free radicals.
Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is an nonmetallic organic compound which falls to earth as a natural part of the water cycle. . MSM is known to relieve pain, as well as swelling and inflammation in joints and other connective tissue.
Again these are natural products with a lot of studies and with NO SIDE EFFECTS other than making you feel better! There are a lot of products out there but beware of the quality and the additives in supplements. I am going to mention one product called zyflamend from New Chapter which we have had amazing results from our customers. There have been several studies from different clinics and universities showing effective results with no side effects!!!
I have only touched on inflammation and arthritis there is a lot to talk about on this subject. I hope I have helped in your search for an answer....thanks for reading ..Greg Foster
Check us out on the web: HYPERLINK "http://www.choices4wellness.ca" www.choices4wellness.ca
Inspiration for the week: When you are looking for something, you must believe you will find it. When you are scared, you must believe your fear cannot overtake you. The hope in your heart will always be there and once you access it-the possibilities are endless.
Greg Foster, owner of Choices4Wellness has a long history in the Natural Health industry. Since 1987 Greg's goal has been to own and operate his own store. While working toward his goal, he was a sales associate for Prolab a sports nutrition company. Greg also worked as a personal trainer and helped people achieve their fat loss and fitness goals, while also teaching them that these goals were about a "whole" lifestyle approach and the benefits of supplements and healthy food choices . Always teaching that it's about FAT LOSS not weight loss, Greg is now able to live out his dream of owning a health food store so that he can better meet the needs of his clients. Greg has a personal training room at the store where he has one on one time with his clients. They range from teenagers to couples that want personalized time and attention to achieve fitness goals without the busy atmosphere of a gym, where sometimes your precious work-out time is gobbled up by socializing and waiting your turn on the equipment.. It is during this time that Greg is able to recommend lifestyle choices to enhance your work-out routine & a positive mental attitude. Being a father of 3 boys, ages Trevor 18, Chad 10,and Shane 9 , Greg is sympathetic to living a busy life, and helps to make fitness goals realistic as well. At 41, Greg Foster , has embarked on a journey of entrepreneurial spirit, meshed with a passion to see people lead healthier ,happier lives. Truly, a business combination for success. Kim Iles, the manager of Choices4Wellness, is no stranger to the Natural Health Industry. She formerly founded and owned Alternative Choices from 1993 until its closing in 2004. During those 11years, Kim achieved many levels of business experience. She was on the board of directors for the CHFA (Canadian Health Food Association) as well as developing and franchising her Alternative choices concept. Kim's real passion however is with teaching, providing lectures, and spreading her knowledge of natural health through out Chatham-Kent and beyond. Kim is a mother of a 22 year old daughter , Nicole and a 17 year old son, Jordon . To Choices4Wellness, Kim also brings her knowledge of the water purification side of the business. Kim is a former owner and co-founder of Pure Choice Water Centers. The new store located inside of Choices4Wellness is appropriately named Choices4Water with a slogan "water you can believe in", offering state of the art purification better tasting and at better prices than the old business she left behind. Kim has always been a familiar voice on the radio, as well as in the newspaper, as she believes education and creating awareness is vital to getting people use and accept natural health products to create wellness and a lifestyle that enhances their lives.
