• For people attempting to eat a diet which is low in purine, the following tips may be helpful:
• Cider vinegar is thought to lower uric acid levels
• Drinking lots of water helps to flush uric acid from the body, as does eating a diet high in fiber
• Eat foods high in vitamins E and C, supplement with vitamins if your diet is deficient in either of these
• Avoid: cauliflower, mushrooms, asparagus, red meat, shell fish, poultry, mackerel and sardines, as these foods are high in purine
• Cherries, blueberries and strawberries are good for gout

Repeated attacks of gout may lead to permanent joint damage, therefore purines should be avoided as much as possible. Medications to treat gout once it has flared are available, but some have unwelcome side effects. Prevention of gout is preferable to treatment of gout.

PreArthos is an all-natural botanical formulation designed to treat joint pain safely, with no side effects.

The research discovers how our body converts an ingredient present in fish oils into Resolvin D2- another chemical. The checmical Resolvin D2 is believed to minimize the swelling linked with various diseases in the body. Scientists discuss the possibility of using Resolvin D2 for treating diseases such as sepsis, stroke, and arthritis.

The study was funded by Arthritis Research Campaign, the Wellcome Trust and the National Institutes of Health. The scientists analyzed the main ingredient of fish oil called DHA and explain how human body converts DHA into Resolvin D2. The research aims at treating not only arthritis, but also a variety of other health conditions linked with inflammation.

The study, which was performed on mice, is considered safe and effective as it doesn’t carry any health risk. Harris Perlman -the lead author and associate professor of medicine at Feinberg further reports that the therapy proved successful in 75 percent of the mice, and thus has a tremendous potential for treating rheumatoid arthritis in human beings.

In normal circumstances, the healthy immune cells are supposed to die if they are attacked by a foreign bacteria or virus. But, in case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune cells don’t die, but they start multiplying in the blood, joints, and bones. Till today, there has been no safe and effective way to stop this proliferation. The study discovered that immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis there is a shortage of Bim molecules, which ensure that cells destruct themselves. This shortage can be rectified by developing an imitation molecule, called BH3 mimetic.

The research was funded by the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

What does vitamin D do?

• aids the body to use vitamin A and to absorb calcium and phosphorus
• can be helpful in treating eye infections, such as conjunctivitis
• can help in preventing colds, especially when taken with vitamins A and C
• essential for maintaining normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body
• helps build healthy bones and teeth
• necessary for growth
• aids in the ability of blood to clot
• helps to regulate the heartbeat
• helps to prevent osteoporosis

How do I get it?

There are two main ways to obtain vitamin D: diet and sunlight. Dietary forms of vitamin D are vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and D2 (ergocalciferol). These two forms of vitamin D are inactive. Absorbed vitamin D must be transformed by the kidneys and liver to the active form of vitamin D. Foods that are high in vitamin D are cod liver oil, oily fish, milk, eggs and cereals.

Most of our vitamin D comes from ultraviolet irradiation (sunlight exposure) of the skin. Sunlight is absorbed through natural oils present on the skin, and is then absorbed into the body. Dietary intakes of vitamin D are only critical when there is little or no skin exposure to ultraviolet light or when the body’s requirements are particularly high, such as in young, growing children or during pregnancy.

Vitamin D has been implicated in the prevention of many disorders, including multiple sclerosis, premature birth, osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Source: Vitamin D

Juvenile arthritis can be defined as a form of arthritis that affects children. Juvenile arthritis is not an uncommon disease of childhood; in fact, almost 290,000 children are affected by juvenile arthritis or other rhematologic conditions.

Symptoms of juvenile arthritis are similar to those experienced by adults:

• Pain in one or more joints
• Swelling
• Redness
• Limited movement in a joint
• Damage to a joint or bone, resulting in deformity
• Diminished growth of a joint or bone, resulting in a  shortened stature
• Eye inflammation (uveitis)
• Fever
• Rash

As in adults, the cause of JA is often unknown. Blood tests are often helpful in making the diagnosis. Children with JA should be seen by a specialist in rheumatology, especially due to the fact that their growth can be disrupted. Managing pain and preventing deformity, as well as maximizing functional capacity, are the goals of treatment. Different medications can be used to suppress symptoms but may also have important side effects, such as stunting of growth, which is why medical management by a specialist is recommended.

Source: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

The TMJ is the joint that joins the mandible (lower jaw) to the skull, so pain in this area can also cause pain in the ear. People who experience TMJ pain often believe that the source of their pain is their teeth. If someone is already known to have arthritis, the problem is generally easier to diagnose.

Pain can often be relieved with pain medication and heat, which may relax the joint. When these remedies fail, doctors may opt to perform arthrocentesis, flushing the joint with anesthetic and sterile fluids to rid the joint of any fluids that result from inflammation. They may instill steroids to counter any further inflammation. If this procedure is unsuccessful, surgeons may opt to perform arthroplasty, sometimes replacing the joint completely. Although arthroplasty is generally successful, it is not without risk, and less invasive measures should be attempted first.

TMJ pain can cause considerable pain and distress to the person who experiences it. Early diagnosis and treatment can result in improved function of the joint and relief of pain.

PreArthros is a twice-daily botanical formulation designed to ease arthritis pain naturally, with no side effects.

Source: TMJ Disease

Although some risk factors can’t be changed (i.e. age, sex, heredity, race), there are some risks for developing osteoporosis that can be modified, such as:

• Smoking
• Diet
• Exercise
• Alcohol intake

Exercise can be a powerful tool in the prevention of osteoporosis. Specifically, exercise which involves weight bearing, or impact loading exercises, act on the bones by stressing bones, forcing them to remodel and strengthen themselves. Examples of weight bearing exercises include walking, aerobics, jogging, lifting weights, skiing and even yoga.

Incorporating regular impact loading exercise into your daily routine, as well as ensuring a healthy diet high in calcium, vitamin D and other minerals important to bone health, can help you avoid the development of osteoporosis.

Source: Osteoporosis (MedicineNet)

There is new information coming to light that suggests that women taking biphosphonates for longer than five years may be at increased risk for bone fracture. This may seem odd, considering that Fosamax and others in this drug class are supposed to make bones stronger, but there have been several reports of women on long-term therapy experiencing fractures with little provocation.

Merck, the company that makes Fosamax, has included a warning on the drug information material stating that bone fractures are a possible effect of the drug, but there are no prescribing instructions as to how long women should take Fosamax. As a result of these reports of bone fractures, many physicians are recommending that their patients only stay on the drug for a maximum of five years.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and are more susceptible to fracture. Fractures commonly occur in the wrist, spine, and hip. Older women are at the highest risk for osteoporosis. Smoking, menopause, a sedentary lifestyle and small size (being thin) can also contribute to the development of the condition. Prevention is aimed at ensuring a diet that is rich in calcium and vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise. Avoiding smoking and excessive use of alcohol can also help in prevention of the disease.

PreMenora+ is a formulation of all-natural botanicals to help reduce the symptoms of perimenopause. In addition, PreMenora+ also contains oyster shell calcium and vitamin D, both of which can help to prevent osteoporosis.

Source: Osteoporosis

Fosamax: Is Long Term Use of Bone Strengthening Drug Linked to Fractures?

Make use of assistive devices- there are many devices on the market that can be used to make life easier and less painful. Examples are devices to open jars, easing stress on painful fingers and hands. Shoe horns can make putting shoes on a lot easier. These are just a couple of examples of things that can simplify everyday life.

Try to engage in some form of exercise- many people suffering from chronic pain may find it hard to fathom, but exercise can actually improve arthritis pain, by strengthening the muscles that support inflamed joints. Exercise also releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.

Get plenty of rest- fatigue can add to pain, making it more difficult to cope with. When we are tired, we are less able to cope with pain, both emotionally and physically.

Eat a well-balanced diet- A diet enriched with protein, vitamins, minerals will help you to maintain strength and energy, adding to your sense of well-being.

Keep your weight under control- Maintaining a healthy weight will minimize the stress on your joints. Excess weight means more wear-and-tear on your body and can lead to the development of other health problems as well.

Pre-Arthros is a twice-a-day natural formula designed to help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation.

Mary has suffered from arthritis for years. The disease affects her hips, knees and hands, making the most mundane of tasks difficult to perform. She lives alone and finds it difficult to do many of the activities that many of us take for granted. Mary has tried various anti-inflammatory drugs over the years and eventually developed a bleeding ulcer. Now she only takes something for pain when she absolutely must and lives in fear of experiencing another episode of bleeding.

One of Mary’s friends, who also suffers from arthritis, tells Mary that her doctor advised her to try an herbal product called Pre-Arthros, an all-natural botanical product. Mary’s friend has high blood pressure and cannot take anti-inflammatory medications because they raise her blood pressure. She raves about the pain relief she gets from taking Pre-Arthros and urges Mary to try it.

Mary begins taking Pre-Arthros and is delighted to discover that her friend was right- her pain eases significantly and she is able to resume most of her usual activities. Best of all, Pre-Arthros does not bother her stomach, and the cost of Pre-Arthros is less than she was paying for expensive drug therapies. She couldn’t be happier!

Interested in learning more about Pre-Arthros? Visit http://prearthos.predisease.com/.