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Are Pain Medications Making Your Arthritis
Worse?
By Renee Marie Walters
 The pills
you take to control joint pain may be making the problem worse—by
increasing gastro-intestinal permeability, which is a major cause of
arthritis and can occur in as little as one to seven days of taking
pain medications.
My father suffers from arthritis, literally suffers from it! The
joint pain and stiffness has him feeling nearly crippled on most days.
I asked him what he is taking for it, and his response was “Well, not
anything anymore. I was taking a prescription medication, but it
seemed to quit working after about a month. And aspirin and pain
medications scare me because they create openings in the intestines
that not only cause the arthritis to worsen but also set the stage for
various other diseases. I surely don’t need to make my arthritis worse
or develop a more serious disease… simply for a few hours of pain
relief.”
What do you take to control joint pain? Are you among most
Americans who treat the painful symptoms with pain relievers or
anti-inflammatory drugs – quick relief at the expense of worsening
the condition? Or, are you working toward stopping the progression
of your arthritis? There is a difference.
When joint pain flares up, most Americans reach for an aspirin,
ibuprofen, acetaminophen or other pain reliever. We use pain
relievers, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
because they work at reducing or eliminating pain. This temporary pain
relief is not without strings attached though! Research shows these
over-the-counter pain medications create gut permeability (Leaky Gut
Syndrome) which is the leading cause of chronic disease and illness .
. . arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and allergies
to name a few. Thus, the very medicine that you are taking to control
your joint pain may be increasing your joint pain (as well as other
diseases) for the rest of your life! Are you willing to relieve joint
pain and stiffness temporarily at the expense of increasing the
progression of arthritis and other more serious diseases?
There is hope, however. There is a way to protect ourselves when we
take pain medication. Fortunately, medical research now shows that you
can prevent the gastrointestinal injury that NSAIDs cause by taking
colostrum (from dairy cows) at the same time. NSAIDs can increase gut
permeability significantly, even if used for only a short time (1-7
days). A recent study (Playford, 1999) shows that colostrum keeps the
GI tract from becoming more permeable, and can repair the damage
already caused from taking NSAIDs. If you are going to reach for the
pain relievers, make sure you also reach for the colostrum.
Nature’s Pharmacy
Researchers are now coming full circle to rediscover the most powerful
natural substances to not only treat the symptoms of arthritis without
negative side effects, but also to actually stop the progression of
the disease. The healing benefits from the following natural
components, when taken together, may actually help stop the
progression of various forms of arthritis, along with helping to
reduce the inflammation and pain.
Natural Product Solution #1: Colostrum – the
foundation
Colostrum provides the foundation for stopping the progression of
arthritis. Unlike any other substance, colostrum naturally contains
IgF1 and other growth factors in a perfect combination to stimulate
tissue regrowth and promote healing of the mucosal surfaces of the GI
tract; therefore, healing the root of the problem.
Colostrum is the nutrient-rich, pre-milk liquid derived from a mother
dairy cow within the first 48 hours after giving birth. It ensures a
lifetime of good health for the newborn in two ways: it delivers
antibodies and other immune factors to combat disease, and it delivers
growth factors to protect the gastro-intestinal tract from becoming
too permeable (a state of having large openings in the mucosal
surfaces that will allow pathogens into the body). Since up to 90% of
all disease enters the body through these openings in the GI tract, it
is important to heal the damage that pain relievers, soft drinks,
antibiotics, steroids and many other drugs or foods have caused.
Colostrum contains a myriad of components that specifically alleviate
the symptoms of arthritis as well as stop the progression of the
disease. Colostrum’s effectiveness lies in the synergistic combination
of its powerful anti-inflammatory components, growth factors, immune
factors, PRP, and sulfur micronutrients.
Anti-inflammatory components: Among others,
colostrum contains cytokines and infopeptides. Cytokines are nature’s
most powerful anti-inflammatory, and have been shown to mediate many
vital biological processes, including inflammation (Feldmann 1999). Infopeptides are
a protein derivative that reduce inflammation as well as allow the
immune system to reorient and correct its response mechanism against
autoimmune disease processes. Clinical observations of the effects of
infopeptides in humans show reductions in inflammation, edema, pain
and fever apparently regardless of cause (Nitsch 1998).
Growth factors: Colostrum is the only
natural source of IgF-1, the growth factor known for its regenerative
effects. The numerous growth factors in colostrum help prevent and
repair damage to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and connective
tissue. By healing the intestinal barrier with colostrum’s growth
factors, pathogens that cause disease, including various forms of
arthritis, will not be allowed to enter the body. By healing the
connective tissue, you may slow or stop the progression of the
disease.
Immune factors: There is some evidence that
like many other diseases, some forms of arthritis may be caused by
pathogens entering the body through the intestinal tract. In the past
decade, researchers have shown that intestinal bacteria are involved
in the etiology of various forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid
arthritis (Hazenburg 1992). Various studies show colostrum protects against common
disease-promoting bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, shigella and
yersinia. By providing antibodies to bacteria, viruses, toxins and
yeasts, the various immune factors in colostrum prevent these
pathogens from attaching to the intestinal mucosa and gaining access
to the body.
PRP (proline-rich polypeptide): A compound,
also known as colostrinin or transfer factor, shown recently to regulate and balance
immune response. PRP relieves pain and swelling by stopping the
progress of an overly aggressive immune response, such as
over-production of T-cells and lymphocytes. It stops the overactive
immune response that characterizes auto-immune diseases, like
rheumatoid arthritis. And it has a wonderful side effect: clinical
studies show that PRP reduces symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by up to
50%.
Sulfur micronutrients: Colostrum contains
bioavailable sulfur micronutrients such as MSM that have been shown to
have a beneficial effect on the inflammation of arthritis.
In addition to the important combination of components that colostrum
offers the body, it also stimulates the body to produce glutathione (GSH),
the most important anti-oxidant for humans. Low intracellular
glutathione has been implicated in or associated with hundreds of
conditions relating to oxidative stress, including arthritis! Although
chemical companies have made glutathione available in pill or powder
form, researchers have determined that orally ingested glutathione has
no effect on increasing glutathione levels. Colostrum, however, can
stimulate the body to produce it naturally. It’s no wonder so many
individuals have reported how their conditions either improve or
disappear while taking colostrum.
Natural Product Solution #2: MSM
MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, is a natural sulfur compound found in
all living things. MSM is needed by the body for healthy connective
tissues and joint function, along with the proper function of the
immune system. MSM acts as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. It also
inhibits muscle spasm and increases blood flow.
According to a recent book by Lawrence, Jacob, and Zucker, entitled
The Miracle of MSM, MSM can be a natural remedy for osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, bursitis, and muscular
soreness. Dr. Lawrence has treated more than 1,000 patients with MSM.
He says “The effects of MSM on rheumatoid arthritis almost mimic that
of cortisone.” However, it does not have negative side effects as
cortisone does. It has been shown to have no toxic build up in the
body. In fact, according to Lawrence, “It’s safer than water.”
Natural Product Solution #3: Glucosamine sulfate
Glucosamine, also known as chitosamine, has been used for the
alleviation of arthritis symptoms. Like MSM, it is a naturally
occurring sulfur compound that has a beneficial effect on
inflammation. Glucosamine attracts water into the cartilage matrix and
stimulates the production of cartilage, which is important for
maintaining healthy joints. There is evidence that glucosamine sulfate
may provide pain relief, reduce tenderness, and improve mobility in
patients with osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis (de Camara 1998). The
sulfate form (glucosamine sulfate) is better absorbed by the body.
Natural Product Solution #4: Chondroitin sulfate
Chondroitin sulfate provides the structural components of joint
cartilage, inhibits free radical enzymes that degrade joint cartilage
and collagen, and facilitates the entry of glucosamine into inflamed
joints. Many products offer a combination of glucosamine and
chondroitin, as they effectively work together to improve joint
function and provide pain relief. Like glucosamine, it has the ability
to stimulate cartilage production as well as prevent enzymes from
dissolving cartilage. Recent studies have shown very good results from
long-term treatment with chondroitin sulfate in reducing pain and
increasing range of motion.
Natural Product Solution #5: Cetyl myristoleate
Cetyl myristoleate, also known as CM or CMO, is a fatty acid complex
for the nutritional support of degenerative joint conditions. It is
important that CM is taken with a lipase enzyme to ensure that the
stomach can properly digest it.
Harry W. Diehl, a researcher and chemist who worked for the
National Institutes of Health for 40 years, discovered cetyl
myristoleate. He received a U.S. patent on cetyl myristoleate for
rheumatoid arthritis in 1977, and another for osteoarthritis in 1996.
He discovered that it was the presence of cetyl myristoleate in mice
that prevented them from developing joint problems (Diehl 1994). Dr. Diehl
observed in scientific studies that animals given cetyl myristoleate
in advance of being injected with an arthritis-producing solution were
almost completely protected against the development of arthritis.
Cetyl myristoleate has shown significantly effective against
osteoarthritis, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. It serves as a
surfactant to lubricate joints, as well as an immune system modulator
to regulate auto-immune problems. There are no confirmed reports of
adverse side effects or interactions with medications or other natural
substances. In order to increase absorption of CM into the body, it is
best to avoid carbonated cola beverages, citrus juices, alcohol or
caffeine while taking it.
What sets these natural alternative therapies for arthritis apart
from over-the-counter and pharmaceutical drugs is they do not cause
gastro-intestinal injury, which can set you up for future disease.
Thus, if you start with a high quality colostrum product and add to it
some or all of the other proven natural arthritis components, perhaps
you may get your arthritis under control without sacrificing your
future health.
Renee Marie Walters is a freelance health and fitness writer.
Case Studies
“I suffer with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis. The stiffness
had become very bad and my activity was very limited. Since I began
taking colostrum, I am seeing improvement; the stiffness has become
less and I am walking and moving around with much more mobility. I am
encouraged with the colostrum.”
HMM, Ohatchee, AL
“My story is very simple. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my knees
and given a prescription for pain pills, but never took the first
pill. I also had stiffness in my hands and sat each day working them
by stretching them out and making a ball - back and forth. Then I was
introduced to colostrum. The first day I took three capsules in the
morning, and three that evening. I took the same the next morning and
suddenly realized that afternoon that the stiffness and pain in my
knees was gone. Also, my hands were no longer stiff and sore. I have
been taking colostrum for approximately six months now, and have no
signs of stiffness or soreness in my hands or knees. Recently I
injured my knee while working – x-rays were taken and guess what?
Right, no signs of arthritis! Thanks to the use of colostrum, it sure
feels good to be free of the awful pain I endured for many years.”
Eileen T., Richmond, VA
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