Proper digestion with rheumatoid arthritis

The right digestion of is in many ways the guarantee of human health. Digestive disorders can be the cause of many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis( RA).According to modern data, in many RA patients there is a shortage of substances responsible for digestion( including hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes), so incomplete digestion of food can serve as the decisive factor that will cause the disease.

You probably know that the food must be thoroughly chewed. Good digestion begins with this. During chewing food we do not just grind it. Food is mixed with saliva, which contains enzymes( amylase, maltase), which convert complex carbohydrates( polysaccharides) into simple( monosaccharides).

Then the food enters the stomach through the esophagus. The primary functions of the stomach are protein digestion and ionization of minerals. The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid, various hormones and enzymes, and also activates the secretion of digestive enzymes by the pancreas and bile gall bladder.

Many people with RA suffer from a lack of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice. Hypochlorhydria is called insufficient acid release, and chlorhydria - its complete absence in gastric juice. To identify a deficiency of gastric acid, gastric analysis of Heidelberg is carried out: the patient swallows an electronic capsule attached to the thread. The capsule measures the pH level in the stomach and transmits the radio signal to the receiver, which records the information. After the test is completed, the capsule is extracted.

In order to determine if sufficient amounts of gastric acid are released, you can use more simple and affordable techniques.

Here are the most common signs of a decreased acidity of gastric juice:

bloating, belching, heartburn and flatulence that occur immediately after ingestion;

sensation of overcrowding after eating;

indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation;

a variety of food allergies;

nausea after taking supplements;

itching in the rectal area;

increased level of gas formation;

undigested food in feces;

chronic intestinal parasites or abnormal intestinal flora;

deficiency of iron;

weak, layered nails;

dilated blood vessels on the cheeks and nose;

acne;

chronic fungal infections( Candida albicans).

To regulate the level of acidity take drugs containing hydrochloric acid. One tablet or capsule containing 10 grains( 600 mg) of hydrochloric acid is taken during a full meal. If this does not cause a sensation of burning or discomfort in the stomach, during each same meal, take one tablet or capsule more than last time. The dose is increased to 7 tablets or until the burning or discomfort begins to be felt.

The burning sensation in the stomach means that you have taken too many pills for so much food and next time you need to take one tablet less. After a while, try to increase the dose again to make sure that the burning was caused by hydrochloric acid, and not by something else.

Once you have determined the greatest dose for you that does not cause discomfort, stick to it during all similar full-fledged meals. If you ate less than usual, you need to reduce the number of tablets. If you take several tablets, distribute them for the whole meal.

When the capacity of your stomach to produce the amount of acid necessary for digestion of food will begin to recover, you will again feel a burning sensation and will be forced to lower the dose.

The pancreas secretes enzymes necessary for digestion and assimilation of food. Every day, this organ emits about 1.4 liters of pancreatic juice into the small intestine. The juice contains enzymes that break down protein substances( trypsin, etc.), fats( lipase) and carbohydrates( amylase, maltase).

The most common symptoms of insufficient pancreatic secretion: swelling and discomfort in the abdomen, gases, indigestion, output of undigested food with a stool. An extensive stool analysis helps to determine the amount of enzymes released into the intestine by the pancreas, and allows you to determine how healthy the bacterial flora is.

Preparations containing pancreatic enzymes are made from porcine pancreas. Most often, these drugs are used in the treatment of digestive disorders, food allergies and autoimmune diseases, such as RA.

If the digestion of fats and carbohydrates, pancreatic enzymes are not so necessary, then for normal digestion of proteins, proteases are crucial. Incomplete digestion of proteins creates a lot of problems for the body, including the emergence of allergic reactions and the formation of toxic substances formed in the process of decay.

In addition to digesting proteins, proteases perform other important functions. Proteases are very effective in combating food allergy, it was proven in the 30-40's of the last century. Usually people whose bodies do not produce these enzymes in sufficient quantities suffer from various manifestations of food allergies. Apparently, many RA patients are among such people.

Preparations of pancreatic and protease enzymes have proved useful in the treatment of many acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, including RA.They prevent tissue inflammation, and also prevent the formation of thrombi

Decay( decomposition) is called the process of splitting a protein substance by bacteria.

When proteases are used in the treatment of RA, they, among other things, prevent the accumulation of immune complexes in tissues and reduce their level of circulation. And the lower this level, the better the condition of the patient.

Enzymes of the pancreas are included in dietary supplements( biologically active additives).Sufficiently powerful and effective supplements contain a complex of enzymes, for example pancreatin, bromelain, papain, trypsin, lipase, amylase.

The composition of food products includes so-called "invisible" fats( they are found in meat, fish, milk and other food products) and "visible" -specially added to food vegetable oils and animal fats. Food fats are the source of essential fatty acids, phosphatides( lecithin), vitamins A, D, E.

Fat contains saturated fatty acids, solid at room temperature( for example, stearic and palmitic) and unsaturated, liquid( for example, oleic, linoleic, linolenic).Animal fats contain more saturated acids, and vegetable fats are more unsaturated.

Arachidonic acid, which like all saturated fats is found in animal products, can contribute to the inflammatory process. Therefore, excluding meat from the diet of a sick RA reduces inflammatory processes.

It is possible to suppress the inflammatory reaction in another way. For this, it is necessary that the body receives linolenic acid( omega-3), which turns into an indispensable eicosapentaenoic acid( EPA).As a result of the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, inflammatory and allergic reactions are significantly reduced. To obtain such an effect, it is necessary to add EPA( 1.8 g daily) to food or to use cod liver oil. However, if you include mackerel, herring or salmon in your daily menu, you may not need to take supplements. Vegetarians can consume flaxseed oil, which gives a similar effect.

In addition to linolenic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids include linoleic( omega-6) and oleic( omega-9) acids. Many books have been written about their usefulness. And I advise everyone who wants to preserve their health and prolong their youth, to eat food containing their products.

Blackcurrant, borage and evening primrose oils contain gamma-linolenic acid( GLA) and omega-6 acid. They can provide significant assistance in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, since they have the ability to relieve inflammation. Adding GLA to food has the desired effect in combination with omega-3 acid, while limiting the consumption of products containing arachidonic acid. But in the treatment of RA, it is best to use flaxseed oil, which is a natural source of omega-3 and omega-6 acids, and is much cheaper.

In literary sources, you can find a great many recipes for food, which include linseed oil, for example, vegetarian pilaf on linseed oil. The daily dose of linseed oil is only 1 tbsp.spoon. Flaxseed oil can often be found in the pharmacy, it is found in ordinary stores, in the departments of dietary products.

I would like to stress once again that it is absolutely necessary for RA patients to consume a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. The right diet is a key moment in the treatment of this serious disease. Vegetables and fruits contain nutrients-antioxidants, such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, selenium and zinc. Taking vitamin and mineral complexes, you can not make up for the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables on your table, as the latter include other substances, such as flavonoids, which are very effective in treating RA.

Flavonoids are a group of plant pigments responsible for the coloring of fruits and flowers. They also protect plants from external influences. According to the latest medical data, many medicinal properties of food products, juices, herbs, pollen

and propolis are directly related to the content of flavonoids in them. Their use is of great importance for humans, since flavonoids have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-cancer properties. Molecules of flavonoids are unique in their activity in the fight against various oxidants and free radicals.

Flavonoids responsible for the coloring of blueberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes, hawthorn and many flowers, called anthocyanidins and procyanidinam. These flavonoids increase the content of vitamin C in cells, reduce the level of permeability and fragility of small blood vessels, protect against harmful effects of free radicals and strengthen joint structures. These flavonoids have a very beneficial effect on collagen. Collagen is the most common protein substance in the body, it is responsible for maintaining the integrity of our connective tissue. A connective tissue keeps together all the tissues of the body. Collagen is also found in tendons, ligaments and cartilages. In RA, gout and other inflammatory conditions, covering the bones, joints, cartilage and other connective tissue, collagen is destroyed.

Anthocyanidins and other flavonoids have a unique ability to bind collagen fibers to each other, thus strengthening the natural "interweaving" of collagen, through which the intercellular substance of connective tissue( cartilage, tendons, etc.) is formed;

prevents the harmful effects of free radicals;

inhibits the action of enzymes of white blood cells - enzymes, which otherwise would destroy collagen structures in the inflammatory process;prevent the synthesis and release of substances that contribute to the development of inflammation.

These remarkable properties of flavonoids make them an indispensable tool in the treatment of any form of arthritis. I already wrote above about the fact that cherry well helps the sick with gout. If you suffer from any form of arthritis, eat more cherries and other foods rich in flavonoids. It makes sense also to take dietary supplements with flavonoids. Flavonoids such as quercetin have an anti-inflammatory effect, especially in combination with proteolytic enzymes.