It is not uncommon for an arthritis sufferer to have varying degrees of more than one type of arthritis. Regardless of the type of arthritis, the end result is pain and inflammation at the sight of affliction. This fact has led to the popularity of over-the-counter and prescription medications to combat inflammation, and thus diminish pain. Medicines such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs come with long term side effects, including a worsening of the arthritic condition. They work by interfering with hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins.

For decades, medical researchers, including those with the Arthritis Foundation itself, refused to acknowledge that diet, nutrition, and allergies could play a role in immune function and arthritis. Today however, studies have shown that arthritis can be reversible, and in some cases, curable with proper diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes. These changes can not only relieve the inflammation and pain but stop degeneration and rejuvenate the affected joints.

Unlike toxic drugs, natural therapies and diet modification can often provide relief from chronic inflammation and pain. One of the most compelling reasons for using natural therapies in arthritic conditions is that while some drugs can cause cartilage destruction, natural therapies correct the underlying factors involved in arthritic cartilage degeneration. Natural therapies have been shown to perform by the following mechanisms:

• Attracting water to the cartilage locations to enhance synovial lubrication.
  

• Inhibiting COX-2 (enzyme responsible for prostaglandins and inflammation)
  

• Suppressing cartilage-destroying enzymes, collagenase and phospholipase
  

• Suppressing TNF-alpha, IL-1b, and IL-6 (cytokines, responsible for systemic inflammation and hypersensitivity)
  

• Inhibiting the formation of PE2 (inflammatory compound)
  

• Promoting the synthesis of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans in the joints
  

• Reducing production of LTB4 (facilitates IL-1b and IL-6)
  

The principle keys for treating and preventing arthritis is proper diet and nutrition, detoxification, stress reduction and exercise. As it is with most programs, there is no single treatment that is right for everyone. Since there are different forms of arthritis, there is not a single prescription that will help all sufferers. The treatment needs to be tailored to fit the individual. It is for this reason that we would like to provide the different modalities that are available and that have had great success with arthritis.

Judy Phillips is the founder of Jash Botanicals, a manufacturer of physicians grade herbal extracts and medicinals. A naturopath and herbalist with over 25 years of experience, her passion for producing herbal formulas of exceptional purity and strength grew from a dissatisfaction with mainstream herbal products. She is an author of various natural health topics, from detoxification to dietary modification, and works to assist the expansion of knowledge to individuals in search of natural treatments.

JashBotanicals.com offers a wide range of informative articles, including a alternative healing newsletter and a natural health blog.