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 How Do Antioxidants Work to Help Treat RA?
You've probably hear of antioxidants and their association with the aging process. Well, they are also powerful in fighting inflammation in the body, which is ultra-important when treating RA naturally. If you're still wondering, "But, how do antioxidants work?" here's the low-down: Antioxidants are powerful substances found in food (they are not produced by the body). Let’s go back to the beginning. The body continually replenishes its cells. Through a process called cellular metabolism, the body produces energy, more cells and repairs any damage. One by-product of cellular metabolism is unstable molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that damage your body. They are unstable because they are missing an electron. To get another one and become stable, free radicals will steal electrons from cells. That theft damages the cells in a variety of ways.The results are visible and invisible changes to our bodies. The development of diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and neurological deficiencies may begin to affect you as you age. Also, thinner skin wrinkles and brittle bones are a problem. Free radicals enter our body from outside sources as well: cigarette smoke, radiation and the sun’s UV rays. The more free radicals we encounter, the greater the damage that can be done. Antioxidants have been shown to be of great help in the free radical problem. Antioxidant substances combine with free radicals and neutralize them. Once they are neutralized, they can no longer do any damage. Scientists don’t have any idea of a recommended daily dose of antioxidants to correct free radical damage and the diseases that come with, but they do know that eating foods rich in antioxidants makes a huge difference in how we live. Where do you find antioxidants? They are all around us. Look no further than your local farmer’s market or produce aisle in the grocery store. Fruits and vegetables contain the principle sources of antioxidants. Examples of antioxidants include:
Certain minerals like zinc and selenium also function in the body. They are not antioxidants but they boost the immune system to fight against free radical damage. Eating a varied diet of fruits, vegetables will increase the amount of antioxidants in your system and help reduce the incidence of inflammation and related "free-radical" diseases. Eating fruits and vegetables in their natural form instead of juices brings the benefit of other nutrients found in the foods. Juices also contain a lot of sugar that is not needed by your body. How Do Antioxidants Work to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis?Studies show that people with low levels of antioxidants are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis. Other studies show that antioxidants are useful in controlling RA inflammation. In one study done by Finnish researchers found that people with low blood levels of vitamin E, beta-carotene and selenium (a mineral with anti-inflammatory properties) had more than eight times the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis compared with people with high levels of these nutrients. But, since you already have RA, the main point here is that antioxidants can help you control the inflammation in your joints. The best way to get certain antioxidants is through food. Dr. Joel Fuhrman, M.D. warns against taking certain supplements, including Vitamin E, Vitamin A and isolated beta-carotene (associated with an increased mortality risk and risk of heart failure.) There are lots of other supplements you can take safely, however, like vitamin C, that will help you increase your antioxidant intake. Research on Antioxidants and Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Newsletter No. 16
November 2004
Nutritional Care of Autoimmune Diseases
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