Vitamin C and the production of collagen

Vitamin C produces collagen which helps supports muscles, tendons and other types of tissues. It is a type of protein that is abundant in the human body. It also provides firmness and strength that holds the body together. Collagen can also be used to eliminate wrinkles. Collagen is helpful in healing wounds from broken bones or cuts.

Collagen can be found in foods as well as vitamin C. Dark green vegetable are a good source of collagen as well as soy and cheese products. Omega-3 fish products are also vital in the production of collagen. Although vitamin C is found in many foods a supplement is often suggested. Consult your doctor.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that reduces the production of free radical in the body. Free radical increases oxidation which increase aging. The theory that Vitamin C has an effect on aging is controversial and dismissed by some.

Does what you eat have any effect on your arthritis?

Eating right is one of the cornerstones of a healthy life. A diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables and lean, low-fat meat is considered a standard approach to maintaining your health. As with many illness and diseases there are certain foods to avoid and certain foods to include in your diet.

So does what you eat have any effect on your arthritis?

The first and foremost reason to have a healthy diet with arthritis is to keep your weigh down. Less pounds means less pressure on sore joints and tendons that are already being adversely affected by arthritis. A healthy diet will also be a boost to energy supplies which will help in your battle with arthritis.

One of the most talked about supplements that pertains to arthritis is omega-3-fish oil which is found in cold water fish such as tuna, shrimp, flounder and catfish among others. It is important to make sure that the levels of mercury are low in the fish that you consume according to the American Heart Institute.

There is also a lot of information about avoiding nightshade vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. A chemical called solanine is found in these vegetables and some suspect that they have an adverse affect on the body’s calcium, although there is an old home remedy of drinking potato juice to ease the pain of arthritis. It is best to consult with a doctor before eliminating these vegetables from your diet.

Vitamins C and D have also been mentioned as beneficial to the relief of arthritis, particularly in the case of osteoarthritis according to the NY Times.

Omega 3 and arthritis

There are 2 types of arthritis that is helped by omega-3, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis omega-3 acts as an anti-inflammatory and gives relief to joint stiffness. Omega-3 also helps osteoarthritis with swelling and joint pain. Omega-3 also helps with other health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and weight gain.

In what foods is omega-3 found?

Omega-3 is usually found in cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines, tuna, and herring. It can also be found in soybeans, pumpkin seeds, flax, walnuts, and walnut oil.
There are also many omega-3 supplements on the market.

Risks involved

One of the risks involved with omega-3 is the blood thinning properties found within it. Another possible risk is heart disease or stroke.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis can be found in children as well as adults. Children under 16 who have arthritis are considered to have Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is more than one disease. It refers mostly to the inflammation of the joints. It is estimated that 300,000 children have JRA. It can last a few weeks or months or a lifetime.


Signs of JRA are joints swelling, a fever or a rash.

3 types of JRA

Oligoarticular JRA This type of JRA occurs when there are fewer than 4 joints affected with inflammation. This is the most common type of JRA and most children are treated with medication. The success rate of treatment is high.


Polyarticular arthritis this type of JRA involves more than 4 inflamed joints. This may affect the joints in the fingers. Girls more than boys, usually have this type of JRA. Polyarticular arthritis is similar to adult rheumatoid arthritis.

Systemic JRA involves having a fever and having a light rash. This type of JRA can also affect internal organs such as the heart, liver and spleen. It is considered a dangerous form of arthritis

Treatment is a combination of medications, exercise and physical therapy.

Medications are NSAIDs and ibuprofen

There are also emotional problems associated with JRA. Children that have this condition may feel a range of emotions from depression to anger. Why do I have this? It is best to keep the lines of communication open with the child and treat them like any other child.

Gout Treatments

Gout is the buildup of painful uric acid crystals around the joints, men more than women get gout by 95 % to 5%. Uric acid is caused by the breakdown of purines, which are found in the body and in certain foods. The big toe is often the first place that you will notice gout. It can also affect ankles, wrists, knees and insteps. Gout treatments include dietary changes and medication.

There are many causes of Gout:

• Excessive alcohol intake
• Joint injury
• Medications that affect the kidney
• Aspirins can cause the rise of uric acid levels
• Cold body temperature
  

How to treat Gout:

Medications such as NSAIDS and Colchicines are used to treat gout. Colchicines are used to reduce the pain, swelling and inflammation.

Keeping your weight under control can also help with the gout. Being overweight is associated with gout

Cut back on alcohol consumption.

Cut back on foods that are high in purine, such as high fat meats and diary products. Also avoid certain seafood like herring, sardines, scallops and mackerels. Some vegetables are also high in purine: cauliflower, spinach and mushrooms are examples.

Is glucosamine safe?

Glucosamine is a compound found in the body made from amino acid glutamine and glucose. It produces glycosaminoglycan which repairs cartilage and other body tissues. There is less glycosaminoglycan produced with age.

Glucosamine can be purchased in health stores and pharmacies as a natural supplement. It is manufactured with a product called, chitin, which comes from sea shells of shrimp, crab and lobster.

The compound is used by patients of osteoarthritis who believe that the glycosaminoglycan produced will help heal the damaged cartilages. Arthritis sufferers who have osteoarthritis in the knee especially use this compound.

Glucosaomine is relatively safe with limited side effects.

Since the glucosamine compound is made of shell fish you should concerned if you are allergic to shell fish.

Pregnant or lactating women should avoid glucosamine.

If you take too much you may have gastric problems.

As always check with your doctor before using any supplement.

Weight loss and Arthritis

Losing weight in itself is always a good idea if you are overweight. Losing weight when you have arthritis is an extremely good idea because it relieves pressure on the joints and tendons that the arthritis affects.

Of course losing weight means not only eating less but also exercising. That can be tricky when you have arthritis. You certainly have to be careful when exercising, avoid any high impact type of exercise that might put stress or pressure on tender joints and tendons. As I stated in a previous post on hydrotherapy, being in water is one of the safest ways to exercise if you have arthritis. A low impact water aerobic class would be ideal, just check with your doctor before joining.

Exercise alone will not make you lose weight especially if you eat more calories than you burn off. We all know that metabolism slows down as you get older so the less calories the better. Remember that you have to burn 3,500 calories to lose one pound.

Stretching can also be beneficial to arthritis patients. It will increase flexibility which in turn will allow the arthritis sufferer to exercise more.

It has been said a million times but if you lose the weight fast you will gain the weight back just as fast. Fad diets never work for an extended period of time. Gradual weigh lose is always the way to go. There are plenty of weight loss programs out there that adhere to losing weight slowly. You might want to think about joining one.

As always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program or diet.