Health Happening
The "No-Brainers" for Physical and Mental Health:
Lectins PROLAMIN and AGGLUTININ are inflammation-causing anti-nutrients in our diet.
Prolamin includes gliadin (the actual culprit in gluten) found in such as wheat, barley, and rye. Other prolamins are zein in corn, hordein in rye, seculin in barley, and avenin in oats (in small amounts, provided they have not been cross-contaminated with other high lectin grains). In the Western diet, Prolamins and agglutinin are primarily eaten in IMPROPERLY PREPARED:
Collagen is the main component of the cartilage providing cushioning between your bones - the collagen molecule comprises 3 tightly wound chains of 3 repeating amino acids - glycine, lysine and proline.
Collagen production requires that you ensure 4 MAIN ingredients in your diet - which may be lacking:
(1) Proline - key component of collagen; body synthesizes small amounts of this non-essential amino acid, but it may not be enough to balance collagen destruction by enzymes.
(2) Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) - Hydroxyproline results from oxygen reacting with proline, a reaction dependent on vitamin C.
(3) Copper (2-4 mgs/day) - a component of the enzyme lysyl oxidase required for synthesis of collagen and elastin. Also an integral part of SOD, the major endogenous antioxidant enzyme. Excellent sources: calf's liver, crimini mushrooms, turnip greens, molasses; Very good sources: chard, spinach, sesame seeds, mustard greens, kale, summer squash, asparagus, eggplant, cashews.
(4)Lysine (essential amino-acid) - sufficient lysine blocks the anchor sites in connective tissue for enzymes which would otherwise digest collagen
Note: Rath/Pauling Therapy provides proline, lysine and vitamin C
Tthe "gel-like", water-absorbing, filler substance between collagen. If you think of a net cast in the sea, the net (collagen) will collapse without the sea (GAGs).
Chondroitin - the most prevalent GAG in connective tissue - its benefits include:
Chondroitin works as a therapy only if directly injected into the affected joint - There is much controversy as to whether a high molecular mass supplement, such as the commonly used Chondroitin Sulfate, can be absorbed by the intestines. Some saying that its supporting studies are really paid ads in medical journals.
Glucosamine (500mg/day). Promotes GAG production and is a component of hyaluronic acid.
Zinc deficiency reduces collagen in the body and is common in high-phytate diets. You can begin with higher doses (50mg) for just a few days to take care of a deficiency, but only 2-4mg / day is sufficient as a maintenance dose - easily obtained in ~1/4 Cup of raw pumpkin seeds or from a daily quality "green drink" Too high dosesdeplete magnesium and copper.
| Comfrey - Author's #1 TREATMENT for Building Collagen |
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This herb has been used for centuries to very successfully build collagen in the body. - Apply to affected joint as a comfrey leaf mash (you can minimally chop leaves at low speed using food processor), oil or tea-soaked compress. Add 1/2 tsp. DMSO to aid penetration (but FIRST read the rules about how to use DMSO). If you don't use DMSO, a comfrey oil or compress can include comfrey root, which is more potent than the leaf, but which the FDA has declared unsafe for internal use. - Drink a comfrey leaf tea once or twice / day |
Antioxidant vitamins - to control further free radical damage
Quit smoking - which boosts risk
of RA and may speed up disease or cause more joint damage.
Take care of gums - there is a link between RA and periodontal disease.
Transdermal cayenne pepper cream / lotion / oil or 0.025 - 0.075% capsaicin gel or cream. Cayenne's active ingredient capsaicin relieves pain by numbing sensory nerves (gradually reduces substance P, a chemical necessary for nerves to send pain signals to the brain), and also increases circulation to aid healing of joints and/or muscles.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy
DMSO (for pain). Anti-inflammatory
Transdermal Magnesium Chloride
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). A successful off-label / very low dose use of a medical drug
Rath-Pauling Therapy. Strengthens body's collagen
MSM (1 to 6 1000 mg capsules / day). Contains sulfur, which protects from damage to collagen by cross-linking, and provides flexibility and permeability to cell membranes.
