Managing Arthritis With Nutrition and Term Paper

On the other hand a diet that is high in fruit and vegetable intake has also been found to increase the absorption of antioxidants and vitamins that help to manage the symptoms of this disease. Pineapples have been found to be effective in the control of inflammation in arthritis, as they contain bromelain enzymes. ".... bromelain enzymes block the prostaglandins that play a part in swelling. These enzymes have been used with dramatic success to treat rheumatoid arthritis and to speed tissue repair." (Goldstein, and Goldstein 113)

Degenerative diseases such as arthritis have been linked the damage caused by free-radicals. Foodstuffs that counter the effect of free radicals have also been shown to have a positive effect on arthritis management. The inclusion of vitamin E in one's diet has also been found to be conducive to good general health and is particularly effective in the treatment of arthritis. (Emanoil 5)

3. Conclusion

At present research is being conducted on various nutritional supplements that can be of assistance in management of arthritis. Alternative approaches to conventional medications are being continually sought. As one pundit states" "In arthritis, the body is not maintaining the capacity to repair [itself],"... "If you're taking bricks from the structure of a house, it does no good to paint the house. You have to put the bricks back." (Horvitz) In effect this refers to the replacement or the supplement of essential substances in the body such as glucosamine, a modified sugar molecule made by joint cells, and chrondocytes that"... help rebuild, repair and maintain healthy joints." (Horvitz) This is also indicative of the importance of nutrition and nutritional supplements in the management of the various forms of arthritis. Several European studies have demonstrated that "...supplements improve mobility and reduce pain in arthritic sufferers,... Three-quarters of the people who use the supplements report noticeable improvement in as little as four weeks, though it may take as long as a year." (Horvitz)

In the final analysis, while there is no incontrovertible evidence that nutrition definitively has a positive impact on arthritis, yet there are numerous studies and experiential reports of the importance of diet and nutrition in combating the symptoms of arthritis.The research on the positive effects of certain supplements attests to this point-of-view. The research also indicates that some types of arthritis, such as gout, are more amenable and respond better to nutrition - based management.

However what can be said without any doubt is that when nutrition is considered holistically in relation to general lifestyle and mental health factors, it can in most instances have a beneficial effect on the symptoms of arthritis.

Works Cited

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Goldstein, Myrna Chandler, and Mark A. Goldstein. Controversies in Food and Nutrition. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002. Questia. 27 Feb. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=101287399.

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MANAGING ARTHRITIS. 24 February, 2007. http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:_kAN3IZBfsEJ:www.healthreport.com.au/Reports/5.pdf+MANAGING+ARTHRITIS+THROUGH+IMPROVED+NUTRITION&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=22&gl=za www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5015492991

Payne, Laura L., Andrew J. Mowen, and Julian Montoro-Rodriguez. "The Role of Leisure Style in Maintaining the Health of Older Adults with Arthritis." Journal of Leisure Research 38.1 (2006): 20+. Questia. 27 Feb. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5015492991.

Rheumatoid arthritis: A healthy lifestyle relieves one woman's pain. 24 February, http://edition.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/AR/00018.html.....