There are more than one hundred different forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Among the more widely known conditions are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus. When I think of arthritis disease the one form that comes to mind is one of the more debilitating forms of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects about 1% of the population of North America and occurs three times more often in females than in males.  It can occur at any age but typically the age of onset is between 50 and 60. This arthritis disease is a chronic progressive condition that causes the lining of your joints to become inflamed.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease meaning that it affects the entire body. As this arthritis disease progresses it can not only damage the tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone in the joints but also other areas in the body such as your lungs and blood vessels. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease meaning that the body’s immune system is not functioning properly. The immune system does not recognize it’s own tissue and treats it like foreign invaders. With this form of arthritis disease the immune system attacks the joints and surrounding tissue causing long term damage.

Symptoms can come on very suddenly or gradually and the arthritis disease has periods when it is active and periods of remission. When the disease is active, symptoms may include fatigue, lack of appetite, low grade fever, muscle and joint aches and stiffness. Muscle and joint stiffness are usually most notable in the morning and after periods of inactivity. In Rheumatoid arthritis, joints are usually inflamed in a symmetrical pattern (both sides of the body affected). Joints in the hands and wrists are often affected.

See your physician if you are experiencing some of the above symptoms. He will do a physical examination while asking about your medical history and he will also request a blood test. The findings from the blood test will help the doctor determine which form of arthritis disease you have. Your doctor may send you to see a rheumatologist which is a doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating arthritic diseases. The two may work together to give you the best treatment for your condition.

While you cannot cure your condition, you can adopt a variety of coping techniques that will leave you more active and in control of your life.  You and your joints can remain on good terms.  Learn more from my next blog on arthritis help.

We have all heard of antioxidants and how good they are for our health.  While it is true that antioxidants are good for our health, many of us don’t understand why?  Read along with me as I describe antioxidant activity, so that you can understand why it is essential for your good health. 

What is an Antioxidant?

Antioxidants are natural compounds; this means they are found in nature.  Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals.  What does this mean?  I will start by explaining what a free radical is, so you can comprehend antioxidant activity.  A Free radical is an atom or molecule, usually oxygen that is missing an electron (negatively charged particle).  This free radical is a highly reactive atom because it needs an electron to make it stable.

Where do Free Radicals come from?

Some free radicals are produced in your body by normal body processes such as metabolism.  Free radicals can be aggravated by stress. The more reactive and harmful free radicals are produced by many external factors including pollution, radiation and pesticides.

What do Free Radicals Do?

In your body, a free radical goes around looking for an electron and steals it from your cells.  This is damaging to your cells and if there are many free radicals in your body this will cause a great deal of harm and eventually lead to poor health.   Free radicals impair our immune system which can lead to infections, cancers and auto-immune diseases including Crohn’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid arthritis.  Free radicals are also responsible for degenerative diseases such as coronary heart disease and osteoarthritis.  Recent research has determined that free radicals are responsible for the aging process.

How do Antioxidants work?

Antioxidant activity is quite remarkable in that antioxidants give free radicals an electron that they so desperately need to become stable, meanwhile the antioxidants themselves remain stable.  Some antioxidants are generated in your body.  These antioxidants are called free radical scavengers, and as their name indicates they will travel inside your body neutralizing radicals as they come upon them.  Antioxidants are also found in a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.  For a diet high in antioxidants some choices can include tomatoes, red peppers, berries (blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and cranberries) red grapes and pomegranate. 

When to Supplement with antioxidants?

Even though your body produces some antioxidants, and you get more from your diet, these are often not sufficient to neutralize the number of free radicals in your body.  As you age, your body becomes less efficient at producing its own antioxidants.  When your lifestyle does not provide enough antioxidants it is necessary for you to supplement with natural health products.  Vitamins A, C, and E have potent antioxidant activity. The supplement CoQ10 is an antioxidant that helps maintain cardiovascular health.  Melatonin, a hormone produced in your body that helps regulate your circadian clock, also has strong antioxidant activity. Melatonin has a great advantage over many other antioxidants because it can cross the blood brain barrier and eliminate free radicals found in your brain.

Do not allow free radicals to damage your cells leading to disease and the destruction of your body.   Keep your body healthy and be sure to supplement your diet with antioxidants.