Unlike osteoarthritis, which is limited to the joints, adult rheumatoid arthritis can affect the entire body. Typically, the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are fatigue, soreness, stiffness, and aching. The wrists, hands, and feet tend to be most affected, but the elbows, shoulders, neck, knees, hips, and ankles can become painful as well. Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body's own immune system attacks the joint. The resulting inflammation causes the characteristic pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and redness. The affected joint may also lose its shape, resulting in a loss of normal movement.
There are several supplements that can help with rheumatoid arthritis. Start with the vitamin E, fish oils, and either borage oil or evening primrose oil. While these healthy oils may not be good with aspirin or other old-time NSAIDs (the oils theoretically can block the NSAIDs' effects), they actually seem to enhance the effects of the newer COX-2 inhibitor drugs after six months of use.
RA patients often need extra zinc, an antioxidant mineral that should be balanced with copper (look for a combination supplement). Zinc is especially important if you are taking penicillamine, an RA remission-inducing drug that chelates (removes minerals from) your system. Penicillamine tends to cause loss of taste sensation as a side effect; this usually means you have lost a significant amount of zinc.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in the anti-inflammatory herb tumeric, seems to be especially effective when taken with the enzyme bromelain. Once your symptoms appear to have reached a plateau, consider adding or changing the anti-inflammatory herbs you use; boswellia or ginger, for instance, can also be effective. All the herbs can be taken singly, or in various combinations of your own choosing, and all can be used with conventional RA medicines. Take the herbs between meals to enhance their absorption.
And finally, both glucosamine and chondroitin have been found to help repair damaged cartilage. Look for the sulfate form of these substances, which is what researchers used in their studies. The sulfur compound MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) may also help repair cartilage and ease your joint pain.
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