The Leading Cause of Disability
in the U.S...
Arthritis is the
inflammation of one or more joints in the body. It affects
nearly 70 million adults in the United States. That is approximately
1 in 3 Americans. In recent data compiled by the Center
for Disease Control (CDC), arthritis is the leading cause
of disability in the United States. In 2001, 49 million
Americans reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis and another
21 million reported having symptoms of arthritis.
The term arthritis refers to more than 100 different rheumatic
diseases that affect joints, muscle, bone, and other tissues.
Research has shown a connection between food, nutritional
supplements, and the three major forms of arthritis: rheumatoid,
osteoarthritis, and gouty arthritis.
Osteoarthritis affects approximately 20 million people in
the United States. Scientists have not determined the cause
of the disease; however, a combination of several factors
such as joint injury, being overweight, the aging process,
and "wear and tear" from stress may increase the risk of
developing osteoarthritis. Although symptoms vary among
individuals, they all stem from joint deterioration. In
some, the disease may progress more rapidly than others.
One of the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis is joint
pain, which can be triggered by certain activities like
running or jogging or when the body is at rest. Osteoarthritis
affects more men under age 45 than women, and more women
after the age of 45 than men.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition
that affects the entire body that usually involves several
synovial joints, typically in a symmetrical fashion (i.e.
both feet, knees, ankles). Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune
reaction where antibodies develop against components of
joint tissue and begin to attack the joints within the body.
Over time, cartilage that cushions joints wears down and
the bones start rubbing against each other. X-rays usually
show soft tissue swelling, erosion of cartilage, and narrowing
of the space between joints. Later stages of rheumatoid
arthritis may cause deformation of the joints. Twice as
many women are affected with symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
as men. Symptoms usually develop between 30 and 50 years.
Gouty arthritis is the most painful chronic inflammatory
arthritis. Gouty arthritis or gout is a metabolic disorder
in which uric acid builds up forming crystals in the fluid
that lubricates the joint. Uric acid, a result of broken
down purines that are a part of all human tissue and found
in many foods, is normally dissolved or passed through the
kidneys and eliminated. When this process does not take
place, it builds up in the blood (a condition called hyperuricemia)
potentially leading to gouty arthritis or kidney stones.
Patients with gouty arthritis complain of tenderness, redness,
and warmth around swelling joints. Gout or gouty arthritis
commonly affects the big toe but can also involve the heels,
ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, and fingers. The symptoms
develop quickly and usually occur at night. Gouty arthritis
accounts for approximately 5% of all cases of arthritis.
If you are suffering from gout, avoid foods high in purines
and proteins such as beans and meats.
In general, people with arthritis should avoid red meats,
tea, coffee, dairy products, fried foods, chocolate, preservatives,
additives, and nightshade plants such as peppers, tomatoes,
white potatoes, eggplant and tobacco. Also, consuming acid-forming
foods such as most high protein foods (meat, fish, poultry
and eggs), nearly all carbohydrates (including grains, bread
and pastas), and fats can create an imbalanced acidic internal
environment known as acidosis.
An acidic internal environment increases calcium buildup
in the arteries. With free calcium populations and channels
disrupted, calcium may be leached from bone mass and teeth
causing osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, tooth loss and
other degenerative diseases.
