Natural health with Megan Sheppard
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, so is not caused by age or wear and tear. The good news is that early diagnosis is key to managing symptoms in the long run. Tackling pain and inflammation early on will reduce damage to your joints.
Beginning with inflammation in the synovial lining of the joints, rapid growth and division of cells leads to thickening of the lining causing pain, redness, and reduced movement as this condition progresses.
In advanced stages of RA these cells can actually release enzymes which break down and digest bone and cartilage, meaning that the joints lose their specific shape, in turn causing misalignment and in severe cases, loss of movement.
There is a kitchen recipe reported to provide relief for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, and rheumatism, along with digestive troubles, circulation issues, fatigue, and skin problems.
Simply use one tablespoon (15ml) of apple cider vinegar with a cup of near-boiling water, to which you add a heaped teaspoon of local raw honey, and a slice of fresh ginger root to help with pain relief.
You can add a pinch of cayenne for heart health if you can tolerate the heat of this spice.
It is important to choose apple cider vinegar that is organic and unfiltered — it will usually state on the bottle that it contains the ‘mother’.
Apple cider vinegar contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, natural silicon, pectin, and tartaric acids — all of which are beneficial to joint health.
Healthy oils are another good addition to your diet. Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid derivative, has also been shown to significantly reduce tender and swollen joints in people with RA.
Good sources of GLA include Evening Primrose, Blackcurrant Seed and Starflower (Borage) oils.
Supplementation with vitamin D may help. A study by the Boston University School of Public Health found that women deficient in vitamin D were more likely to develop RA.
Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease.
Nutrition is a significant contributing factor when it comes to sperm health, with processed foods, junk foods and saturated fats being major culprits in low-sperm count and/or motility.
A well-balanced diet that includes plenty of whole foods (vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, fish, poultry etc.) provides a good foundation for male reproductive health. You should also be drinking plenty of water.
Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs are all indicated in cases where sperm are defective and/or the sperm count is low.
A 1995 study of men who had been identified as having poor sperm quality found a direct link between excessive alcohol consumption and the percentage of defective sperm.
Supplementing with 3-4g (3,000-4,000mg) of Carnitine daily for four months has been shown in studies to normalise sperm motility. Both L-Carnitine and acetyl carnitine are effective in restoring healthy sperm cell function.
Selenium has been shown to increase sperm motility, but it has no effect on sperm count. You will need to take it for at least three months, at a dosage of 100 micrograms per day.
Zinc deficiency is an important factor in male reproductive health. Most fertility specialists recommend 30mg twice daily for a minimum of three months to significantly improve sperm quality, count, motility and fertilising capacity.
Long-term zinc supplementation typically requires 1–2 mg of copper per day to prevent copper deficiency.
Other supplements often recommended to encourage optimal sperm health and functioning include arginine, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10.
