What is arthritis?
Arthritis causes pain and inflammation of our joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most common types of arthritis.
Arthritis and Osteoarthritis are not the same as. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis, and is a degenerative condition affecting the bone and cartridge. This can be cause by poor nutrition, malabsorption, wear and tear, injury, or all the above and is the most common type as we start to age, and our joints become affected. The soft smooth cartridge becomes thinner, causes strain on our ligaments and tendons, resulting in swelling, inflammation and even the formation of bony spurs called osteophytes. Osteoporosis is much more common in women, especially post menopause, where, due to the decline in oestrogen, the cartridge of the joints becomes thinner and therefore more suspectable to wear and tear and inflammation. The most common sites of osteoarthritis are knees, hands, spine and hips.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune related condition, where the immune system starts to target our joints, leading to inflammation, swelling and pain.
There are many types of arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, cervical spondylosis, enteropathic arthritis, gout, and other related conditions such as fibromyalgia and lupus.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
Symptoms you will vary depending on the type of arthritis you have, which is why it is important to have an accurate diagnosis if you experience any of the following:
- joint pain, tenderness and stiffness
- inflammation in and around the joints
- restricted movement of the joints
- warm red skin over the affected joint
- weakness and muscle wasting
Can arthritis be cured?
Currently, there is no cure for arthritis, but the condition can be managed effectively through various treatments, lifestyle changes, and medications. Arthritis refers to a group of over 100 different types of joint-related conditions, including osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and psoriatic arthritis, among others. Each type has its own causes and treatments.
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Osteoarthritis (OA): This is the most common form of arthritis and results from wear and tear of the joints over time. While OA cannot be cured, symptoms can be managed through lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and using medications to reduce pain and inflammation. Joint replacement surgery may be an option for severe cases.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): RA is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, leading to joint inflammation. There is no cure for RA, but treatments like disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics can slow the progression of the disease, reduce joint damage, and manage symptoms.
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Psoriatic Arthritis: Similar to RA, this is also an autoimmune condition. It can be managed with medications, physical therapy, and sometimes biologic treatments, but it cannot be completely cured.
While arthritis cannot be cured, early diagnosis and treatment can help control symptoms, improve quality of life, and slow the progression of joint damage. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and following your healthcare provider’s guidance are key to managing arthritis in the long term.
Will arthritis show up in a blood test?
Arthritis may or may not show up in a blood test, depending on the type of arthritis you have. Certain forms of arthritis, particularly autoimmune types like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriatic arthritis, often produce specific markers in the blood. Here's what to expect:
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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Blood tests are commonly used to help diagnose RA. Specific markers such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies can be detected in the blood. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) may also indicate inflammation linked to RA.
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Osteoarthritis (OA): Osteoarthritis typically does not show up in blood tests because it is a "wear-and-tear" form of arthritis, not caused by immune system dysfunction. Blood tests may be ordered to rule out other forms of arthritis, such as RA, but there are no specific blood markers for OA.
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Other Types of Arthritis: For types like lupus or gout, blood tests are useful. For example, gout can be diagnosed through elevated levels of uric acid, while lupus may show up with positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA).
If arthritis is suspected, doctors may use a combination of blood tests, imaging studies (like X-rays), and physical exams to make a diagnosis.
Can arthritis affect the gut?
There is growing evidence linking arthritis to gut health. Inflammatory types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis, have been associated with gut health through a concept called the gut-joint axis. This connection suggests that gut inflammation and an imbalanced microbiome (gut dysbiosis) may contribute to the development or worsening of arthritis symptoms. Here’s how arthritis can impact the gut:
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Gut Inflammation: Chronic inflammation in arthritis, particularly in conditions like RA, can extend beyond the joints and affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. People with arthritis may experience gut inflammation, which can cause discomfort, bloating, or irritable bowel-like symptoms.
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Medications: Many arthritis medications, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can irritate the gut lining. Long-term use of NSAIDs is known to increase the risk of ulcers, acid reflux, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Corticosteroids, another common treatment, can also impact gut health, potentially leading to conditions like leaky gut syndrome.
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Microbiome Imbalance: The gut microbiome, which plays a key role in immune system regulation, may also influence arthritis. Research shows that people with arthritis, particularly RA, tend to have an altered gut microbiome, which could contribute to inflammation and joint pain. Balancing the gut microbiome through diet, probiotics, and reducing gut irritants might help manage arthritis symptoms.
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Autoimmune Connection: Autoimmune conditions, like RA and ankylosing spondylitis, are thought to be linked to gut health. Some studies suggest that bacteria or other microorganisms in the gut could trigger immune responses that lead to joint inflammation in genetically predisposed individuals.
In summary, arthritis can affect the gut both directly and indirectly through inflammation, medications, and microbiome imbalances. Paying attention to gut health, managing inflammation, and considering dietary changes may help people with arthritis improve both their joint and digestive health.
What is a naturopathic approach to arthritis?
Symptoms of both of the most common types of arthritis can be alleviated by a naturopathic approach centred on reducing inflammation by dietary means, combined with medication and supplementation. For Rheumatoid arthritis, the approach also encompasses supporting the immune system and gut health.
In both cases, it is important to also look at lifestyle factors, including maintaining a healthy weight to alleviate additional pressure on the joints, and to reduce inflammation caused by a overweight body.
It is also very important to keep active. Studies have shown that the more your joints are used, the stronger they can become. This makes them less suspectable to decline and also increases muscle tone supporting the joints further, proving the adage, ‘use it or lose it’. Keeping active does not have to involve strenuous exercise, and simple bodyweight strength training, where you are engaging muscles, can really help combined with stretching. Walking and swimming are great forms of exercise for engaging your muscles and stretching without straining.
What is the right diet for arthritis?
A diet designed to reduce inflammation is characterised by low carbs and is rich in nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, protein, and good healthy fats.
You should do your best to avoid foods that can potentially make pain or inflammation worse. This includes highly processed, sugary foods, but can, for some also include citrus fruits, tomatoes, aubergines, and peppers.
To keep your joints and muscles in good condition, eat plenty of sulphur-rich foods such as meat, eggs, cauliflower, and sprouts, which is a great way to help heal and repair connective tissue as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory. Combining the sulphur-rich foods with foods that aid the formation of collagen, such as green leafy vegetables, fruit and veg, such as berries, carrots, and sweet potatoes, will help maintain lean muscle mass and keep both joints and bone health in good condition. Alternatively, you can get your sulphur from a supplement called MSM (Methysulfonylmethane). Glucosamine works well alongside MSM, aiding joint problems by keeping the joint hydrated and preventing enzyme damage.
Omega 3 is very anti-inflammatory, so you should look to increasing this in your diet whilst keeping its more inflammatory cousin omega-6 lower. There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids: alpha linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). ALA is found in plants, such as flaxseeds, chia seeds and nuts, but it is quite hard for the body to convert it for use, especially because our diets tend to be higher in omega-6 fats, which negatively affect the process. It is generally advised, therefore, that we get our essential omega-3 fats from EPA and DHA which are found in oily fish and some animal foods.
Increasing flexibility and connective tissue health can be helped by drinking plenty of water which flushes out the toxins and helps to maintain the muscles. Keeping hydrated is vital as it will help heal and cleanse the joints, and helps keep them flexible, preventing injury due to strain and tightness. Eating plenty of silicon-rich foods such as cucumber, asparagus, spinach, and a range of green leafy vegetables will also help.
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, but also helps to detoxify the system, aiding repair and improving circulation. Ginger and chilli both stimulate the body to repair as well as acting as another anti-inflammatory.
What are key Supplements and herbs to help with arthritis?
There is no uniform supplementation for arthritis as this will depend on the cause and type of your arthritis. The most common deficiencies are the following:
Omega 3
This is found in oily fish is anti-inflammatory. Whilst we need to increase Omega-3, we need to limit/reduce Omega 6. High levels of omega 6 (such as seed oils and spreads) can promote inflammation and increase pain.
Vitamin D3
Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to poor gut health as well as immune health and joint health, so ensuring this is topped up is vital. In the UK it is may be difficult to get good levels of vitamin D in the winter months, so supplementation is often required during cooler months. However, for those exhibiting symptoms and those with limited sun exposure, it is may be necessary to supplement vitamin D all year round.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an important supplement for joint health. Magnesium helps relax the muscles and keeps the body in a more alkaline state, lowering inflammation. Magnesium also helps prevent calcium misplacement which can cause calcification in the joints, although this is very rarely a problem. You should also look at increasing potassium to balance the sodium misplacement. Magnesium and potassium are both essential for keeping calcium and sodium moving, ensuring we keep the fluids flowing around the body and avoiding the build-up of uric acid to become impaired. When supplementing magnesium, look for a magnesium citrate or glycinate as this is the most usable, bioavailable form. Avoid cheap forms such as magnesium oxides and carbonates which we cannot absorb fully.
Curcumin
Curcumin is the active compound within turmeric and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Quality and strength can vary so it is important to buy from reputable company. Curcumin can often come with added black pepper or ginger to aid pain and inflammation relief.
PEA
PEA stands for Palmitoylethanolamide found natural in foods such as egg yolks. It is a natural endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator and has been noted to have good analgesic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.
Zinc
This is a natural anti-inflammatory and supports joints and cartridge health. It is also a great mineral to support our immune system. When testing zinc levels in those with rheumatoid arthritis, it found those with lowest levels had more severe symptoms.
Glucosamine
This is found in your synovial and bursal fluid, connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments. It also encourages the building of new cartilage and aids joint flexibility. Supplementing glucosamine can help heal and even reverse joint damage.
MSM
Methysulfonylmethane or MSM has many good qualities including acting as an anti-inflammatory, which can also reduce muscle spasms, relieve pain and protect against joint deterioration. MSM and Glucosamine work best in combination to help reduce pain and inflammation.
Collagen
This amazing protein plays a vital role in all structures within the body, from your bones and joints to your skin and mucosal lining. Unfortunately, collagen starts to deplete as we age, so we see huge benefits when we add this into our daily routine. You can get amazing health benefits from Marine and Bovine collagen. Bovine, although not as well absorbed, is shown to have better properties for those with additional gut problems, especially leaky gut or weak mucosal lining. Bovine collagen powder tends to be tasteless and can be added to hot or cold drinks for easy consumption.
All recommendations are intended for informational and educational purposes only. The information and recommendations provided are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice from your GP.
