My grandmother, even without the signs of rain, could tell that showers loomed because of the pain she felt in her joints. There is no conclusive explanation for grandma's ability to forecast the weather, except that she was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is still a mystery disease that affects a number of people.

The main complaint is pain and swelling, and those afflicted accept it, passing it off as a consequence of getting old. However, by learning natural treatments, an arthritic person can reduce the pain that comes from the skeletal system, which is usually worse in the mornings, subsiding later in the day. Rheumatoid arthritis patients will tell you that their whole body aches and they feel tired, stiff and feverish.

Debilitating disease

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common and debilitating forms of arthritis, affecting women more than men. It also affects the young, between 25 to 50 years. The challenge is learning to live with daily flare-ups of joint pain and swelling, along with flu-like symptoms and fatigue.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system actually attacks its own tissue. The joints and cartilage are normally surrounded by protective tissue called synovium, which produces a fluid that nourishes and lubricates the bones and cartilage.

A rheumatoid arthritic patient's immune system produces white blood cells that attack the synovium. This is what causes the inflammation and painful swollen joints. When the inflamed synovium attacks the joint, bone, and cartilage, it causes the muscles around the joint to become too weak to support it properly. Therefore, chronic inflammation is the culprit that may eventually cause damage to cartilage and bone.

The signs of rheumatoid arthritis are pain and stiffness on rising; pain, tenderness or swelling in one or more joints, lasting six weeks or more, and recurring pain in the neck, lower back, knees and other joints. The disease is usually diagnosed by blood tests.

Bad weather

The prediction of bad weather by arthritics is true. Dr Joseph Lee Hollander, rheumatologist, conducted a study at the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia in which he used a special chamber to control weather conditions similar to that of a storm.

As a result, more than 73 per cent of the patients in this controlled environment experienced more pain when humidity increased and barometric pressure dropped. The reason, according to Hollander, is that diseased tissues simply do not react as quickly to changing conditions of healthy tissues. Those persons living in a warm, dry climates will experience less barometric changes and, therefore, less pain.

Natural remedies

With reports of a few side effects caused by arthritis medications, many people are turning to more natural methods of managing the disease. One of these so-called natural methods is to keep an arthritis diet. A wholesome diet can only have a positive effect on the body. Studies have shown that a diet high in cholesterol and fat may aggravate the problem. A low-fat, controlled and balanced diet would aid in preventing the onset of the disease in the first place.

A low-fat diet may help arthritic patients to lose weight and, as a result, experience less pain and swelling in the joints. Fresh fruits, vegetables and fish will prevent the body from being thrown askew, compromising the immune system to cause the flare-up of arthritis. Arthritic patients complain of more pain when they eat foods like pork, beef and dairy products.

Think zinc

Zinc, an underrated mineral, may be beneficial to persons suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. A study at the University of Washington showed that RA patients experienced reduced joint swelling. It is believed that zinc reduced the inflammation in the joints.

Arthritis diet

Foods high in sulphur such as asparagus, cabbage, garlic, and onions which may help repair cartilage and bone.

Flax (omega-3 fatty acids), and borage oil (omega-6 fatty acids) which can help decrease inflammation.

Fruits high in vitamin C, including oranges, apples, and strawberries.

Oily fish

Multivitamins with antioxidants, A, C and E

Minerals like zinc, selenium

Grains such as wheat and brown rice

A food-related natural therapy is celery seed - a wonderful natural spice contains nearly two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds known for decreasing inflammation.

Foods to limit Sodas

Eggplant, tomatoes, peppers

Corn

Dairy products

Fried, greasy foods

Sugar products, refined carbohydrates and foods high in gluten which tend to intensify inflammation.

Red meat (minimal intake only)

Foods high in saturated fat

Supplements

A supplement like glucosamine is necessary because the joints stop producing this substance that helps alleviate stiffness. Further, as the body stops producing chrondocytes which help maintain healthy joints, so a chondroitin supplement is necessary to help maintain healthy joints.

In addition, we know that exercise is beneficial in helping to reduce stiffness, and maintain an optimum weight to help ease the pressure on those weight-bearing joints.

Heather Little-White, PhD, is a nutrition and lifestyle consultant in the Corporate Area. Send comments to editor@gleanerjm.com or fax 922-6223.