The severe side-effects and deaths linked to some medications leaves many arthritis sufferers looking for safe, natural and effective alternatives to prescription drugs. Fortunately Mother Nature has a massive apothecary full of safe and powerful remedies in the form of herbs, foods, and nutritional supplements. Here’s the approach to arthritis I take with my clients:
1. Find and eliminate food allergens. Most arthritics suffer from food allergies. Instead of the sniffles and runny nose, the result is inflamed joints (even 2 to 3 days after eating a particular food). Research shows that the most common allergens among arthritics include: corn, wheat, pork, oranges, milk, oats, rye, eggs, beef, and coffee. In some studies, researchers are even able to produce inflammation comparable to arthritis in the joints of animals simply by switching their water to milk. Milk does the body good? Not for people who are sensitive to it or are experiencing arthritis or other inflammatory disorder.
2. Eliminate foods that cause or aggravate inflammation in the body. Many common foods in our Western diet cause inflammation in people who are prone to arthritis. Here are some examples:
- Processed, packaged, or fast foods
- Hydrogenated fats (margarine, shortening, lard or products made with them such as cookies, pies, packaged foods, buns, etc.)
- Meat (fish excluded)
- Fried foods (French fries, onion rings, potato chips, nachos, hamburgers, etc.)
- White sugar and sweets, including soft drinks and sweetened juices
- Synthetic sweeteners (Nutrasweet, saccharin, aspartame, etc.)
- Table Salt (use Celtic sea salt moderately instead)
- Food additives: colors, flavor enhancers, stabilizers, preservatives, etc. Some of the main ones include sulfites, benzoates, and colours named FD&C #”X.” For example, FD&C #5
- Dairy products (yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, butter, cheese, etc.)
- Wheat products
3. Balance the body’s pH. People with arthritis have acidic blood. Avoiding foods that create acidity in the body can help lessen pain and inflammation. Foods that create acidity in the body include: meat, dairy, hydrogenated fats, overheated fats, wheat and sugar. Foods that help restore balance include: fruit (when eaten on an empty stomach), vegetables, and legumes.