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Pain is Inevitable, Suffering is
Optional
By Gloria Gilbere N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D
We all know with aging comes pain—pain from years of
wear and tear, injury, trauma, and sometimes pain from conditions
caused by genetic weaknesses. With new advances in nondrug therapeutic
options, suffering through pain becomes a choice you need not make,
rather than a sentence that dictates you must restrict your lifestyle
because of sustained discomfort.
One of the major causes of pain is defined as the
wear-and-tear disease of osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative
joint disease—a disease experienced by an estimated 40 million
Americans (15 percent of the population) and expected to grow to over
60 million by the year 2020. Added to the arthritis-type disorders is
fibromyalgia, a syndrome that robs its victims of quality of life and,
under conventional protocols, usually subjects them to a life of
prescription drug therapies for symptom care, most often leading to
serious side-effects. The other end of the arthritis spectrum is the
degenerating disease known as rheumatoid arthritis, causing not only
pain and inflammation but loss of mobility due to deformity and
deterioration.
In order for pain to be optional, we must first
understand the conditions mostly responsible for our pain, and then be
informed as to safe non-pharmaceutical options.
You Asked
Daily I’m asked specific questions regarding nondrug
solutions for arthritis, fibromyalgia, pain and inflammation
syndromes, and their connection to other disorders. The following are
answers to your inquiries:
Q: Do osteoarthritis and osteoporosis have the
same symptoms?
A: No, they do not. Osteoporosis is the loss of bone density, caused
by the loss of calcium and other minerals that are components of bone.
Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is a condition of the joints at the
juncture point such as in the elbows, fingers and knees.
Q: What causes osteoarthritis?
A: Mostly wear and tear through the aging process and, many times, it
is triggered from an accident or trauma.
Q: What is the difference between fibromyalgia
(FM) and arthritis?
A: Fibromyalgia generally affects soft and connective tissue, hence is
called the “hurt-all-over” disorder. Arthritis, on the other hand,
involves tissue and stems from trauma and deterioration of the joints.
In FM, symptoms are accelerated by dampness, overexertion and
inactivity.
Q: Please explain the difference between osteo
and rheumatic joint disorders?
A: “Osteo” refers to joints that undergo degenerative changes, usually
with some bone loss. It can occur as a result of chemical, mechanical
(body posturing), genetic predisposition, metabolic, and endocrine
contributors. Symptoms include stiffness and tenderness to the touch
that are made worse by exercise. These same symptoms fit fibromyalgia,
a form of osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on the other
hand, defines a chronic, destructive collagen disorder that is
considered an allergic response to an acute autoimmune condition. RA
is characterized by the thickening and swelling of the joint. In
severe conditions, RA is recognized by the presence of joint
deformity, muscle wasting, and bone and cartilage destruction.
Q: Why do you use, recommend and write so much
about predigested and regular goat-milk mineral concentrate for
conditions relating to osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and digestive
disorders?
A: Because this source of bioavailable (readily absorbable) naturally
occurring minerals assists in maintaining proper chemical balance to
keep calcium in solution (fluid)—preventing it from depositing in the
joints.
Q: Why do you endorse the use of chicken collagen
(Type II)?
A: Because this form of collagen, Type II, is the principal structural
protein in cartilage that provides strength, flexibility and support.
When the collagen source is from free-ranged chickens that are free of
growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and insecticides, we feel
confident that this whole food concentrate has not been known to have
any side effects and provides maximum absorption.
Q: Is chicken collagen Type II only effective in
cases of osteoarthritis?
A: No, it has also been shown to be effective in patients with RA,
where the person’s immune system is reacting against its own Type II
collagen. Studies at Harvard Medical School used this type of collagen
to treat RA because they found feeding the antigen (Type II collagen)
orally suppressed the patients’ immune response to the protein, rather
than triggering it. Patients receiving this therapy had significant
improvement in joint swelling, tenderness, pain and mobility. In
addition, it is thought that connective tissue proteins, including
collagen, may activate wound healing factors and stimulate cell
repair.
Q: Are compounds such as glucosamine and chondroiton
sulfates important for any type of arthritis?
A. Yes, because these two compounds are responsible for
cartilage-building.
Q: How many types of arthritis have been
identified?
A:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (connective tissue disease)
- Juvenile arthritis (connective tissue disease)
- Psoriatic arthritis (associated with the skin
disease known as psoriasis)
- Osteoarthritis (osteoarthrosis, degenerative
joint disease)
- Infectious arthritis (associated with bacterial,
viral, fungal, and parasitic disease)
- Fibromyalgia (a syndrome involving a variety of
symptoms according to the American College of Rheumatology, who
defines it as a chronic, debilitating state of widespread
musculoskeletal pain, stiffness and fatigue)
Q: What are the dominant symptoms of fibromyalgia?
A:
- Sicca syndrome (dry eyes and/or mouth)
- Sleep disorders
- Muscular pain, stiffness and aching, worse upon
arising
- Acceleration of symptoms in cold/humid weather
- History of injury/trauma within a year prior to
the onset of symptoms
- Depression
- Raynaud’s phenomenon (numb and cold sensitive
fingers and toes)
- Anxiety
- Osteoarthritis (more uncommon, rheumatoid
arthritis)
- Severe headaches (migraine and pressure-type)
- Unexplained weight gain, manifesting later as
syndrome X
- Autoimmune disorder (defined as a condition where
an attack is mounted against normal, healthy tissues and organs,
versus attacking foreign substances, e.g., bacteria, viruses,
parasites, heavy metals, cancer cells)
Q: What other nondrug substances do you recommend
for arthritis-type pain and inflammation?
A: The natural substances known for their strong, effective,
anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects include: tart
cherry juice, ginger, turmeric, acerola cherry, feverfew, valerian,
lemon powder and white willow bark (nature’s aspirin).
Q: Which enzymes assist in the repair and
elimination of symptoms?
A. The following enzymes are known for their benefits as follows:
- Protease Blend, capable of digesting proteins at
various pH levels in the digestive tract. They assist in alleviating
various infections and inflammation conditions.
- Bromelain, derived from both the ripe and unripe
fruit and leaves of the pineapple plant. Bromelain has been used for
medical purposes around the world for hundreds of years as a
digestive aid and anti-inflammatory compound.
- Papain, known for its inflammation-reducing
properties
- Amylase, credited for breaking down and digesting
carbohydrate starches and sugars. It is important in combination
with other digestive enzymes to prevent the proliferation of dead
leukocytes (white blood cells).
- Lipase, powerful for digesting fats, weight
management and circulation.
- Cellulase, converts fiber cellulose to glucose.
It is an enzyme not made in the body and can only be obtained from
food or supplements.
Q: Why do you write about the benefits of oat
juice for bone health?
A: Because oat juice contains a high amount of protein and is a
natural source of silica. Silicon, a trace element, is found in bones
during mineralization suggesting its importance in normal bone
function.
Q: You have written extensively about the
benefits of a product that was formulated to meet your strict
guidelines, CapraFlex™. Why is it any different than other products
for bone health and pain relief?
A: Because CapraFlex is a complete, comprehensive bone and joint
health support formula. It contains cartilage and bone building
compounds, providing the body what it needs to increase bone density
and also rebuild healthy cartilage and connective tissue.
Additionally, it contains whole foods, herbs and enzymes for pain
associated with inflammation, especially helpful for victims of
fibromyalgia syndrome.
Q: Does CapraFlex just reduce pain?
A. No, it also is formulated to assist the body in rebuilding and
supporting healthy cartilage, facilitate greater flexibility and
mobility to joints, and improve bone density. It also reduces pain and
inflammation and has an alkalizing effect on the body.
Q: Please explain articular cartilage.
A: Articular cartilage, found in joints, is a unique connective tissue
that serves as an elastic shock-absorber and protects against effects
of wear and tear. It lacks a blood supply and does not have any nerves
or lymph drainage. This cartilage is composed of type II collagen,
water, proteoglycans, and chondrocytes. The arrangement of these
collagen fibers provides strength to the cartilage while the water and
proteoglycans give the cartilage its elasticity and play an important
role in limiting friction. The chondrocytes are cells that make up the
matrix or surrounding substance. Diseases that destroy articular
cartilage do so by activating the catabolic (destructive) enzymes and
decreasing the production of breakdown inhibitors. When inflammation
is present, cells in the area (including chondrocytes) secrete
substances (cytokines, interleukin-1) that trigger cartilage
degradation processes. Destruction of articular cartilage by these
indigenous cells is an important mechanism in many joint diseases.
You no longer must submit to the pain caused by the disorders and
syndromes discussed in this article. You can now regain healthy bones
and joints, combat pain and inflammation, and do so with
cartilage-building compounds that are safe and effective, naturally.
References
Health Products Business, March 2003
Jensen, B. Arthritis, Rheumatism and Osteoporosis: An Effective
Program for Correction through Nutrition. Bernard Jensen Publishing,
1986.
Gloria Gilbere, N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D. is a traditional naturopath,
homeopath and doctor of natural health. She is internationally
respected for her work with chemically induced immune and digestive
disorders. She is author of I Was Poisoned by My Body, Invisible
Illnesses, Nature’s Prescription Milk.
CapraFlex™: 
Powerful Support for Healthy Bones,
Joints, Pain & Inflammation
What is
CapraFlex by Mt. Capra?
- A complete bone and joint support formula
- Contains naturally occurring (whole food)
cartilage-building compounds such as glucosamine and chondroiton
sulfates
- Contains enzymes and botanicals to ease pain and
inflammation
- Promotes healthy joints
- Contains over 20 naturally occurring minerals
(including potassium, sodium and calcium) from both predigested and
regular goat-milk whey to support joint health and bone density
- Ingredients to assist mobility and flexibility
- A blend of 17 foods, botanicals and enzymes
What makes
CapraFlex unique?
Its powerhouse of four synergistically balanced
blends that include:
- Osteo-Enhancing Blend
- Joint and Cartilage Matrix Blend
- ArthriFlex Blend
- Anti-Inflammatory Blend
CapraFlex provides support for the following conditions, all in
one product:
- Generalized pain
- Loss of bone mass
- Joint pain & stiffness
- Soft & connective tissue pain
- Stiffness made worse by inactivity
- Overly acidic pH
- Generalized inflammation
- Swollen joints
- Impaired flexibility
Available in powder or capsules.
Click
Here for Capra Flex product web page. |
