Aloe and Its Amazing Benefits for Arthritis
Although arthritis won't really kill you, it can literally cripple you. Arthritis causes so much restriction and cuts back even the most undemanding activities such as bathing, walking or dressing. Arthritis can be rather debilitating because of extreme pain on the joints Added to that, it's also a recurring disease.
Thousands are afflicted with arthritis each year and statistics show that one in every three adults over 40 suffer or will suffer from arthritis as they move on to the retirement years. There is no specific age or gender for susceptibility since arthritis can develop even in infants, but most sufferers begin to experience symptoms when they near their fifties, with more than 50% occurring before the age of 65. The sad thing about arthritis is that it can be debilitating both to the body and to one's finances. It is estimated that an average person will spend close to USD 150,000 in medical expenses and lost wages just coping with arthritis during his or her lifetime.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common forms that afflict the greater majority. Osteoarthritis is a condition that results from normal wear and tear of the knees, hips, or ankles since they bear much of the weight in the body. Arthritis also invades the shoulders and other highly mobile joints in the cervical and lumbar spinal regions. Like grease on joints and gears in a mechanical structure, synovial fluid maintains lubrication and ease of movement within our joints. It is also responsible for overall health and maintenance of the cartilage. Synovial fluid inevitably shrinks with age and cartilage undergoes wear and tear with heavy use, eventually causing the bones to grind against each other. Pain and difficulty associated with arthritis are caused by this grinding action on the bones.
Rheumatoid Arthritis on the other hand is caused by anti-bodies attacking the synovial lining of the joints. These anti-bodies are produced by the body's immune system but genetics, certain infections or environmental factors can trigger a misdirected immune system and cause destruction of the synovial membrane and the cartilage. This results in inflammatory conditions which include soreness, pain and tenderness in the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects any age group, and this type of immunologically induced arthritis is also prevalent in other systemic illnesses such as Lupus and Scleroderma.
Symptoms of arthritis are not permanent – when inflammation is present, the disease is active and that period is known as a “flare”. As the symptoms subside, it is said that the disease is “in remission”. Remission can be accomplished through treatment or may occur spontaneously and may last for months or even years.
Arthritis has long been successfully treated with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids. Typically, these come in the form of cortisone injections or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or what is commonly known as NSAIDs. These types of treatment bring pain relief, unfortunately they don't repair the damaged tissues – hence relief is said to be merely symptomatic.
NSAIDs and steroids are also known to produce adverse effects. Osteoporosis and skin thinning are two of the most common side effects, and NSAIDs also tend to irritate the digestive tract and cause stomach ulcers.
No cure for arthritis has been discovered yet, but there is growing evidence that tissue repair and replacement can arrest disease progress. In fact, this has been the focus of controversial stem cell replacement studies over the years. Whether or not stem cell replacement will eventually emerge as the cure for arthritis, it is a welcome relief to know that natural substances are available to relieve arthritis pain and discomfort, and slow progression of the disease – without the side effects.
One of the best known natural substances for its anti-inflammatory properties is Aloe Vera. Aloe generally provides analgesic relief but it has also been observed to stimulate the immune system and speed up cell growth and replacement. Aloe Vera contains basic sugars which are also found in every cell of the body – it is rich in nutrients that include vitamins E, C, and the B series, as well as iron, manganese, calcium and zinc. Aloe Vera also contains essential amino and fatty acids needed by the body.
Possibly more than its nutritional benefits is the ability of Aloe Vera to assist the body in repairing damaged tissue by regenerating cells. A breakthrough formulation combines aloe with glucosamine and chondroitin, two joint supplements that are building blocks of cartilage found within joints. Glucosamine increases fluid maintenance in the cartilage, while chondroitin, an ingredient of cartilage tissue, takes charge of drawing in fluids and nutrients. As the body ages, its capacity to produce these natural elements of healthy cartilage is diminished, thus leading to painful joint conditions. Naturally occurring substances combined with Aloe Vera may work best for arthritis pain relief, tissue repair and cell regeneration without the nasty side effects!
Learn more about breakthrough aloe formulations that relieve arthritis symptoms and help to rebuild healthy cells in your joints at Forever Freedom.