Vitamin E
Vitamin E is particularly useful in cases of muscular rheumatism (fibrositis) and will often give relief when taken in sufficient quantities over a long period of time, even with rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis.
Vitamin E plays a large part in assuring that all the cells of the body receive adequate oxygen, the net result being that it increases the flow of blood.
It is also useful in counteracting the effects cf rancid or over-processed fats or oils.
The recommended quantity to be taken to begin with is two 30 i.u. tablets or capsules twice daily after meals.
Later these could be increased to 100 i.u. tablets or capsules, one after each meal. (Incidentally some of these vitamins are stated to be in mg instead of i.u'.s ) Each individual must discover by experience the amount he can best tolerate.
Comments (0) 08.01.2007. 19:24
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the so-called sunshine vitamin because it is normally absorbed through the skin in sunny weather and may be in short supply during the winter months or for house-bound people.
It is found, like vitamin A, in the fish liver oils, and helps the body to assimilate other substances, particularly calcium. So many vitamins and minerals are more effective when in combination with one another.
Comments (0) 08.01.2007. 19:23
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is contained in many fruits and vegetables, and has been found to be abnormally low in the blood of arthritics.
Much has been written about experiments conducted with this vitamin.
Everyone suffering from arthritis needs more than normal amounts of vitamin C every day for many reasons too technical to go into here.
If it is impracticable to eat large amounts of fruits or vegetables adequate amounts of vitamin C may be obtained from rose hip or other tablets found in health shops. These are even more effective if combined with the bioflavanoids. The bioflavanoids (vitamin P) occur under the outer skin of citrus fruits.
Most green vegetables, raw or properly cooked in a minimum amount of water or steamed, are excellent sources of vitamin C, as are many fruits.
Comments (0) 08.01.2007. 19:22
The B Vitamins
The fact that most arthritics have difficulty in assimilating carbohydrates and consequently can suffer from chronic catarrh may point to a deficiency of the B vitamins.
One of the best ways to remedy this is to take brewer's yeast tablets, beginning with two daily, with meals, for three or four weeks, then gradually increasing to six or eight daily. It, is generally wise to take about three months before reaching the maximum number, otherwise indigestion may occur, in which case it is best to leave the tablets off altogether for about a week, then go back to two or three.
If the body has suffered a deficiency of any specific nutrient over a long period it will not always begin to assimilate it properly over the short term.
Once the system has become used to the brewer's yeast it will be found to help the digestion, and it is also invaluable for the health of the eyes.
However, as well as the yeast it is advisable for those with arthritis to take supplementary vitamin B12 (found in liver and in some plants), which is also available in tablet form in health stores.
This has been found by experiments to show remarkable results in the treatment of osteo arthritis, though this is not so marked for rheumatoid arthritis.
Lean meats (if not overcooked), poultry, fish and milk, dark green leafy vegetables, particularly if eaten raw, nuts and whole grain breads or cereals, all are good sources of various B vitamins.
Wheat germ, now freely available in many grocery shops as well as health stores, is rich in most of the B vitamin complex.
Comments (0) 08.01.2007. 19:00
Vitamin A and Carotene (or Pro-Vitamin A)
Animal foods, particularly fish liver oils, contain vitamin A; vegetable foods, particularly the yellow ones, contain carotene, though some animal foods contain both.
If the diet includes nuts, whole cereals such as wholemeal bread, wheat germ, and four to eight dessertspoonsful daily of cod liver oil, there is no danger of a deficiency of these vitamins, and vitamin D will also come into this.
Those with arthritis have a special need for these vitamins, and calcium, obtainable at health shops in the form of bone meal, is necessary for their assimilation.
Comments (0) 08.01.2007. 18:58