Arthritis, Diet and Traditional Chinese Medicine
By Richard Heft
Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the theory, observation that everything is a combination ongoing interaction of opposites: hot (ayng, building, male) and cold (yin, cleansing, female) many of which we control through diet, attitude, etc.
Arthritis is a generic term for inflammation of the joint (place where two or more bones join).and subsequent symptoms: pain, inflammation, swelling, redness, etc. The joint, spaces between the movable bones is composed of fluid sacs, in addition to cartilage (gelatinous substance that caps the end of the bones). Both act as shock absorbers. Ligaments hold bones together. Tendons attach muscles to ligaments. Muscles contract and expand via nerve, electrical stimulation, which in turn pulls and relaxes the tendons, ligaments, moving the bones.
The body body builds up (hot, yang) and breaks down (cold, yin) largely according to food, nutrients: building and cleansing. The correct balance produces the correct amount of blood, structure and function where the body can thrive. Any amounts greater or less, in the extreme, tend to cause disease vai too much or too little blood, structure and functon.
Blood, nutrients build, fuel and cleanse the organs, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, etc. Too little protein and fat vai via low protein, low fat (milk, yogurt, soft cheese, nuts, seeds and beans)in the extreme, thin, weaken the blood, which in turn, thins, dries, weakens, pains and inflames the joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, etc.
Too much protein and fat, especially animal (red meat, chicken, turkey, hard cheese, fried foods, etc.)in the extreme tends to thicken the blood (clots, high cholesterol) and arteries (plaque, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, etc.) reducing circulation, blood flow to the extremities, arms, legs, which in turn, inflames, dries, thins and pains the joints: bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, etc. especially in the extremities: head, arms and legs.
Poor posture, misalignment and or injury can also adversely affect the joints, cause arthritic symptoms.
All disease is defined by its collection of symptoms. All symptoms are defined, produced by biological functions. All biological functions are produced by biological structures (organs, bones, muscles, nerves, etc.), which in turn, are produced by blood, nutrients.
There are three types of arthritis: (1) Rheumatoid (autoimmune), (2) gout (uric acid) and (3) osteo (bone on bone). Rheumatoid Arthritis has the following symptoms: pain, swelling, inflammation and or subcutaneous nodules in, near two or more joints, fever, stiffness, especially in the morning, and is more common in women (middle aged) than men. The difference is diet, as many women tend to eat low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets. Menstruation is also a factor.
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Many women tend to eat anemic, low protein, low fat (milk, yogurt, soft cheeses, beans, nuts and seeds) and high carbohydrate (pasta, bread, salads, tropical fruits, juices, etc.)diets, which in turn, thin, dry, inflame, weaken and pain everything else, especially the bones, muscles, tendons, etc in the arms, legs, hands, feet?
Too many cold and damp foods, drinks (milk, yogurt, salads, fruit, juices, cold drinks, etc.), in excess and or at the beginning of a meal, tend to dilute, weaken and slow digestion (acid, enzymes, abdominal bloating, gas) reducing nutrient absorption, blood, circulation, energy, while increasing waste product.
Inappropriate diet (overbuilt or under built) is a major cause of rheumatoid arthritis. It is also tends to cause gout, uric acid accumulation in the blood and joints. Uric acid is a by-product of protein (especially animal) digestion. High protein, high fat diets, in the extreme, tend to cause too much uric acid in the blood and joints. Gout is more prevalent in western countries and or those eating high protein, high fat diets. It tends to attack men (high protein, high fat) more than women.
Diet and herbs cannot improve osteoarthritis (bone on bone). You cannot grow cartilage (separates and cushions the bones) where there is none. You can grow cartilage where there is some, via proper diet (leafy greens, cabbage) and supplements: Glucosamine sulfate (1500 mg/ day) and bovine cartilage. Check with your doctor first before using as some people have shellfish (source of GS) allergies.
Dietary cures for arthritis via blood deficiency and or stagnation are relatively simple. The middle diet, meal plan adjusted accordingly is recommended.
Hot salves (containing spices, camphor, capsicum/ cayenne pepper, etc.) used externally for reducing pain are also effective, especially when skin is wrapped, covered with plastic (contains, drives heat down, into the skin, muscles). Heat not only dries and warms but also moves. Spices, cooked foods move and warm the blood, and reduce pain via increased circulation, blood. They also help to thin the blood. Cumin, coriander and fennel are mild spices.
Medication, blood thinners can also cause arthritic symptoms. Blood thinners not only thin the blood of excess protein and fat (includes cholesterol), but also thin the bones, skin, hair, etc. which are all fed, thickened by the same blood, protein and fat. When you thin the blood, decrease protein and fat, you thin everything else.
The following diseases have already been cured by the middle diet meal (central theme plus two variations and herbs): Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Gastro Intestinal Reflux Disorder (GIRD), miscarriage, psoriasis, eczema, acne, obesity, anal fissure, anxiety, constipation, sinusitis, impotence, common cold, post nasal drip, arthritis, neuralgia and sore lower back, back pain so far.
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