arthritis-2 sc.doc

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ArthritisAgatha M. Thrash, M.D.Preventive Medicine

Arthritis, an inflammatory disease of the joints, has a variety of causes. Certain forms areassociated with a decrease in skin temperature and blood flow to the extremities. Every

effort must be made to improve the circulation to the jointby proper clothing and

warmth, good diet, freedom from mental and emotional stress, and proper exercise.

1. Osteoarthritis: This form of arthritis is caused by overuse of the joints. The

involvement is usually limited to the overworked joints. Pain is usually worse in

the early morning, but diminishes soon after getting up.2. Gout: Gouty arthritis is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in or

around the joints. Eating rich foods, especially those high in protein, may cause

this form of arthritis. Hot, swollen, tender joints are characteristic. The uric acid

is always elevated in the blood.3. Rheumatoid: The cause of this form of arthritis is not known. Many things have

been suggested, the three most prominent of which are viruses, an immunereaction involving antigens and antibodies, or a degenerative process following

the production or ingestion of a toxin. The RA Latex test is usually positive.

4. Infectious or Toxic: Certain germs such as the gonococcus can attack jointsdirectly. Other germs apparently cause arthritis even if the infection is elsewhere

in the body, such as around the teeth, on the skin, or in the colon. Sometimes a

wrong diet or a viral upper respiratory infection can cause the joints to ache.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Although arthritis is difficult to treat, the crippling effects can be retarded and the paincan be controlled by the use of certain physical and dietary programs. It is essential tofollow the programs to the letter, as that very thing which might be considered

unimportant may be the key to success. Resolve to be strict with yourself in following

each of the suggestions until your program is liberalized by your physician.

Lifestyle

1. Work up a sweat each day for twenty minutes to two hours with exercise, heat, or

sunshine. Keep the head cool at all times. Take a sunbath daily. Beware ofmachines, fad diets, unproven remedies.

2. Wear stretch nylon gloves on painful hands at night. An electric blanket is a great

help to many.3. Reduce weight to slightly below average weight for height and age, as extra flesh

requires maintenance.

4. Prevent, by proper warm clothing, the slightest chilling of the extremities, neck,or ears. Cool skin is abnormal.

5. Have good posture. Practice deep breathing with each breath. The digestion is

improved and the circulation quickened.


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6. Use heat, fasting, mustard plasters, herb teas, gentle massage without jarring, and

other natural methods of pain relief over the joints instead of drugs. A paraffin

bath and the charcoal poultice have been of great relief to many.7. Avoid the use of tobacco, alcohol, all drugs, pharmaceuticals, nutritional

supplements, lotions, deodorants, and cosmetics. Use soap sparingly and no lard

base soap. Use dish detergent sparingly in washing dishes and rinse offthoroughly.

8. Do not breathe any kind of fumes or anything having an unpleasant odor

including rotting leaves or gasoline.9. Avoid tissue injuries of all kinds such as crushing, thermal, and other burns, etc.

There is evidence that tissue injury causes antibodies to form that may injure

joints. (Lancet, May 6, 1972, p. 1019)

10. Avoid dogs, cats, birds, and all sick animals, as rheumatoid patients have beenfound to be more likely to have a history of exposure to pets than persons not

having rheumatoid arthritis.

Dietary Matters1. Take small bites, one-third the usual size.

2. Put the fork down between bites.3. Chew until food is a cream before swallowing (very important).

4. Not a morsel of food or beverages between meals except water.

5. Sip a supper of 4-5 ounces of fruit juice, or skip supper.6. Eat 2-4 apricots and 3-6 olives daily. Use a serving of cherries daily for gout.

7. Do not eat fruits and vegetables at the same meal; do not use liquid foods except

when skipping the regular meal.

8. Use no more than three dishes at one meal.9. Fast one or two days a week if weight permits, as fasting often gives much relief.

10. Use a high fiber diet. Especially effective are unpolished grains and the fruits

high in pectin.11. Have a green drink twice weekly, made with parsley, lettuce, celery, or other

greens and carrot juice. Alfalfa tea is helpful to some: 1 cup per day.

12. Correct constipation and gas.13. Regularity in all things is essential.

14. The nightshade group of foods cause about 10% of people to have arthritis. These

foods include tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and peppers. Even a small taste will

spoil the diet. Maintain strict abstinence for two months as a trial.15. Milk is a carrier of a germ that may cause arthritis. It would seem wise to omit

dairy products from the diet, as 75% of rheumatoid patients grow the germ in

their throat, and have antibodies to it in their blood. (Acta Medica Scandinavica,192:231-239, September, 1972)

Arthritis Routine (Days 1 and 2)1. Live by the clock, especially during the first month, keeping all things on

schedule as much as possible: meals, bedtime, arising, physical hygiene, study,

work, prayers, etc.


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2. Begin a program of walking on the first day. Walk as far as is comfortable.

Gradually work up to five miles per day. Take two baths daily in the purest water

possible, without soap, dry brushing the skin before each shower, or bathe with astiff brush.

3. Take deep breathing exercises three times daily, breathing in as deeply as possible

and holding to the count of twenty, breathing out as deeply as possible andholding out to the count of ten. Repeat this exercise twenty times, always in fresh

air. MAINTAIN GOOD POSTURE, STANDING, SITTING, LYING.

4. Take contrast baths (hot and cold) daily for pain relief and for healing, involvingwhole body or only the extremities as may be necessary. Repeat one to four times

daily as indicated. Hot for 6 minutes, cold for 30 seconds.

5. If city water is used for drinking, it should be distilled or boiled. To improve the

flavor of boiled water, blend 1/2 minute after it has cooled to re-aerate.6. Do warm-up exercises for 20 minutes each day, using a good book such as the Air

Force book on exercises, or any other exercise list.

7. Cultivate a sunny disposition. Eliminate anger, excitement, anxiety, TV, movies.

Practice kindness, mildness, joy, patience, and quietness.8. Use no drugs. Be cautious about the use of cosmetics, soaps, and sprays.

9. Keep the colon entirely clear for the first two weeks with two enemas per dayuntil water is returned entirely clear (about three quarts).

10. Fast for two days at the beginning of the course. Drink about 10 glasses of water

daily, or enough to keep the urine quite pale.

Day Three: Breakfast of juice (freshly squeezed) 10-12 ounces

Dinner of fruit (unsweetened) 2-3 servings

Omit supper

Day Four: BreakfastRaw fruit 2 servings

Dry whole grain bread 1 servingDinnerRaw fruit or vegetables 2 servings

Bread 1 slice

SupperOmit

Day Five:

Fruit meal (according to the meal planner on separate sheet)

Vegetable meal for second meal (according to meal planner)Omit supper

Day Six:See arthritic diet for maintenance diet beginning on this day.

INITIAL ARTHRITIC DIET

(Use for first four weeks-be strict)

Eliminate

Vinegars


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Smoked foods

Pickled foods

Preserved foods

Rich gravy, refined starches

Sauces, thickenings

Coffee, tea, alcohol

Soft drinks

Refined foods: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, oils, vitamins, minerals

Desserts, sweets, dates, honey, dried fruits

Animal products

Any gas-forming foods

Combinations of fruits and vegetables

Spices (Pepper, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, baking powder)

Scorched or overcooked foods

Unripe or overripe fruits and vegetables Food having additives, conditioners, preservatives, etc.

Canned and frozen juices

Food having a fermenting or aging step in processing

Nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, pepper, eggplant, and tobacco). To be successful

in eliminating nightshades from the diet one must be a label reader. Some

brands of yogurt contain potato starch, some herb teas contain hot pepper, paprikais found in some cheeses, and some baby foods contain potato and tomato

products. The diet must be strictly followedeven a whisper of paprika may

produce symptoms.

Use Sparingly Salt

Whole grains

Sweet fruits

Legumes

Use Freely

Bland fruits: olives, avocados

Low starch vegetables: asparagus, celery, broccoli, cucumber, greens of all kinds,

sprouts, beet tops, endive, lettuce, mustard, okra, onions, pumpkin, small* beets,

small carrots, small parsnips, small turnips, spinach, small string beans, Swisschard, summer squash, turnip tops, zucchini

Low starch fruits: apples, apricots, berries, cantaloupe, cherries, grapes,

grapefruit, melons, nectarines, oranges, papaya, pineapple, peaches, plums,

watermelons (1" x 6" slice only)

*Small root vegetables and immature vegetables contain less starch.


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For more information contact:

Uchee Pines Lifestyle Center

30 Uchee Pines Road #75Seale, Alabama 36875

Tel. 334-855-4764

www.ucheepines.org

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