Rheumatoid Arthritis

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

Eliminate foods that cause an allergic response or to which there is a sensitivity (fast, use an elimination diet, or allergy test to isolate such foods)
Reduce all fats to less than 25% of the diet especially saturated fats (animal products)
Eat more vegetables, brown rice, and fish
Eat lots of fresh ginger (proven anti-inflammatory effect in RA)
Avoid refined foods and all food additives
Avoid alcohol, coffee, and black tea
Avoid tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tobacco (all in the Solanacea family of plants)

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

Niacinamide: 500 mg. QID (check liver enzymes regularly)
Vitamin B5: 500 mg. QID
Vitamin C (buffered - reduce if joint pain increases): 1 gm. TID
Vitamin E: 800 I.U.
Vitamin K: 50 - 100 mg. TID
Selenium: 200 - 300 mcg.
Zinc: 30 mg. BID - TID
Copper (salicylate form): 64 mg. BID
Manganese: 15 mg.

Supplements: (references)

Quercetin: 250 mg. TID (between meals)
Bromelain: 250 mg. TID (between meals)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 2 - 5 gm. TID
Omega-6 Fatty Acids: 1 gm. TID
Hydrochloric Acid: 10 - 70 grains per meal (if lab work confirms)
Glucosamine Sulfate: 500 mg. TID

Botanicals: (references)

Curcuma longa: 450 mg. (standardized to contain 95% curcuminoids) daily with food
Dry Herbs - Harpagophytum (248 mg.), Yucca (248 mg.), Juniperus (124 mg.), Angelica s. (124 mg.), Arctium (124 mg.), Cimicifuga (124 mg.), Medicago (248 mg.): take 2 capsules TID

Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

Inflammation of arthritis:
Acon., Apis, Bell., Bry., Led., Sil.
Joint aching and pain:
Carl., Chin-S., Gels., Dalm., Ruta.
Rheumatic pain:
Arn., Ars., Aur-M-N., Bad., Benz-Ac., Bry., Caust., Cham., Chel., Colch., Form., Kali-I., Dalm., Lyc., Med., Nat-A., Phyt., Puls., Rhod., Rhus-T., Sang., Sars., Sulph.

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

Coffee enema: 3/week during flare-ups
Copper bracelets worn continuously have been shown to relieve arthritis symptoms
Hot epsom salt compress followed by castor oil massage (not directly on joints, but around)
Daily exercise (walking, cycling, yoga, etc.) prevents immobility and supports the immune system
Stop smoking
Alternating magnets (north/south) have been shown to increase circulation and reduce arthritis inflammation
Avoid exposure to pesticides and silica dust

Recommended Labs:

Check for rheumatoid arthritis: ANA, Rheumatoid Factor
Rule out autoimmune disorders: ANA with Reflex
Rule out degenerative joint disease: X-Ray
Rule out Epstein Barr infection: EBV Capsid IgG and IgM
Rule out gout: Gout, Uric Acid
Rule out HIV: ELISA, Western Blot
Rule out infectious arthritis: Joint Fluid Culture
Rule out Lyme Disease: Western Blot
Rule out occult malignancies: Antimalignant Antibody
Rule out osteoarthritis: X-Ray
Rule out pseudogout: Joint Fluid Aspiration
Rule out systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): CBC with Diff, Blood Chemistry, Urinalysis, CRP, ANA with Reflex, Quantitative Immunoglobulins, Tissue Biopsy

* The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.