by Gloria Gilbčre, N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D.
With over 70 million “baby-boomers” reaching the
“youth of middle-age,” we’re developing pain
and discomfort from a myriad of disorders; pain
and inflammation being the most prevalent along with disorders
affecting cartilage, joint flexibility and mobility,
bringing with them a barrage of unrelenting pain and
decreased bone density.
General Inflammation Defined
Inflammation is a response that occurs when part of the body
reacts to trauma, toxic overload or infection. It can be caused
by disorders such as arthritis, injury, strain or bacterial
infection.
In times past, symptoms of inflammation were easy to
identify: swelling, heat and pain. With newer emerging disorders
such as fibromyalgia, identification and diagnosis are
challenging. More often than not, the inflammation is in the
soft and connective tissue and only detectable upon actual
physical examination to feel the “fibro knots” or “tender
points” in a victim.
Bacterial Inflammation
Another type of inflammation, unfortunately becoming more
prevalent and a serious hidden saboteur of health, is bacterial
inflammation. This is generally associated with an infection
elsewhere within the body, such as in the oral cavity (teeth
and gums), gallbladder, lungs, kidneys and intestines.
Regardless of the core cause, inflammation equates to
pain, lack of mobility and overall diminished quality of life.
Basic Steps for Overcoming Pain, Inflammation, Lack of
Mobility and Prescription Drugs, Naturally
Foundational First Step—provide long-term relief and
immune system support by detoxifying the body through
effective herbal/fiber cleansing of the large intestine. This
type of detoxification will subsequently reduce the overall
toxic load of the major pathways of detoxification, the liver,
kidneys and lymphatic system.
Second Step—provide as much natural non-drug support for
the bones, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue, while
providing substances that will reduce pain and inflammation,
not an easy task in non-pharmaceutical products.
Third Step—Eliminate all foods known as the “nightshades.”
This family of botanicals contains a substance called solanine,
a chemical known as alkaloid, which can be highly toxic
and known to cause inflammation.
Historical Perspective: The connection of nightshades in
arthritis and inflammatory disorders was first brought to the
forefront largely by the efforts of Dr. Norman F. Childers,
former professor of horticulture at Rutgers University (for
detailed information about nightshades, see the chapter in
Invisible Illnesses by Dr. Gloria Gilbčre). The inflammation
caused by nightshades ranges from gastrointestinal inflammation,
nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, muscle stiffness and
migraines. Cholinesterase is an enzyme in the body originating
from the brain that is responsible for .exibility of
movement in muscles. Solanine, present in nightshades, is a
powerful inhibitor of cholinesterase. In other words, its presence
can interfere with muscle movement—responsible for
stiffness experienced after consumption of nightshades.
The nightshade group includes:
Tomatoes, tomatillos potatoes, eggplant, paprika, pimento,
peppers of all varieties (red, green, yellow, chili, cayenne,
hot/sweet), homeopathic belladonna, blueberries, huckleberries,
okra and tobacco products
Some prescription drugs, especially those used for
insomnia and depression, contain potato starch. Check with
your pharmacist for a list of ingredients if you have an inflammatory
condition.
Fourth Step—Have a thorough dental exam by a biologically
aware dentist. Many victims of inflammation and immune
system disorders have a “false sense of security” because
they have full gold or porcelain restorations. Many a victim
has not been able to completely repair their immune
system, only to find that beneath their expensive restoration
is a toxic mercury/amalgam filling adding constant
insult to injury. This author knows that only too well, I’m
one of the ones caught in the state of “false security” from
gold crowns placed in the late 1960s, when the tooth was first built-up with mercury/amalgam before it was prepared
for the crown.
What to Look for in Non-drug Solutions
A. Identify a product that is a complete, comprehensive bone
and joint health support formula that contains cartilage and
bone-building compounds to provide the body what it needs
to increase bone density while also rebuilding healthy cartilage
and connective tissue.
Just as important, the formula should contain whole foods,
herbs and enzymes for pain associated with inflammation,
specifically ingredients helpful for soft tissue pain as in fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndromes.
The comprehensive formula should contain type II
chicken collagen because it is the principal structural
protein in cartilage—providing strength, flexibility and
joint support. The type II chicken collagen must come
from free-ranged chickens: free of growth hormones,
antibiotics, pesticides and insecticides.
FYI #1: Collagen is important because the body relies on this
critical nutrient to assist in maintaining healthy cartilage and connective
tissue, which support many of the major body systems.
Cartilage is a specialized form of dense connective tissue,
consisting of cells embedded in a firm and compact ground
substance, otherwise known as matrix.
The popular choice in collagen supplementation is generally
bovine (cattle trachea) and shark cartilage. I am not comfortable
recommending either because of new information
regarding heavy metals in marine life and diseases such as
mad cow in cattle.
FYI #2: Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate are imperative
in bone health. These substances make-up the body’s building
blocks, responsible for repairing cartilage, easing pain of
fibromyalgia (connective tissue) and arthritis (bone) and act
as a natural anti-inflammatory. Glucosamine sulfate is usually
extracted from crab, lobster or shrimp shells—a potential
source of heavy metal contamination, and potentially dangerous
for those allergic to shellfish. One of its major functions
is to draw fluid into connective tissue, giving it elasticity.
Studies show chondroitin supplementation slows joint degeneration,
improves function and eases pain.
Type II chicken collagen possesses both sulfates, in their
natural state, allowing for small molecules that are quickly
absorbed into the intestinal tract, thus easily distributed to
bones and cartilage.
B. Be sure the supplement contains an osteo-enhancing blend
of naturally occurring minerals to assist in maintaining proper
chemical balance, facilitating calcium to remain in solution
(fluid) and thus preventing it from depositing in the joints.
The mineral replacement I prefer is in the form of pre-digested
and regular goat-milk whey. Minerals in this form support
muscle integrity and neutralize acid waste better than any
other form I’ve found. In addition, goat-milk whey contains
more than 20 naturally occurring minerals and healthy
amounts of sodium to control the acid alkaline balance—essential for healthy muscles and bones. The rich minerals in
goat-milk whey are naturally occurring (nothing added) and
are in ratios recognized and utilized (absorbed) by the body
with ease.
C. Look for natural ingredients known for pain and inflammation-
reducing abilities like white willow bark (nature’s aspirin)
and other non-drug analgesic and anti-oxidant herbs.
D. An effective supplement will also include enzymes that
have been known for decades to reduce inflammation such as
bromelain and papain. |
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To locate a retailer of CapraFlex™, the product used and recommended by Dr. Gilbčre, (containing all the ingredients
mentioned along with many other health-enhancing natural ingredients) contact Mt. Capra Products toll-free at 1-800-
574-1961 or log on to www.mtcapra.com.
Dr. Gloria Gilbčre is internationally respected as an authoritative influence in the causes, effects and drug-free solutions
for fibromyalgia, leaky gut syndrome, chronic fatigue and chemically induced immune system disorders. She is author
of I was Poisoned by my body, Invisible Illnesses, and Nature’s Prescription Milk. She is talk show host of “Health by Design
with Dr. G.” heard weekly on www.healthylife.net.
She consults via telephone worldwide and at her health center in northern Idaho. To contact her office to become a
client, call 208-255-1920 (9 to 4 Pacific Time, Tues.—Thurs.) or visit her Web site at www.drgloriagilbere.com
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