What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a joint-inflammation illness that lasts for years. Joints are the sites on the body where bones come together to allow movement. The majority of these joints, known as synovial joints, also act as shock absorbers.

RA is an autoimmune disorder that has your immune system misidentifying the linings of your joints as “foreign,” attacking and damaging them, causing inflammation and pain.

This condition most commonly affects the symmetrical joints of the hands, wrists, and knees. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no cure for RA, although it can be managed with proper medication (CDC).

Rheumatoid Arthritis Signs and Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is a complicated condition that medical professionals and researchers don’t fully comprehend.

Early indicators of disease, such as joint swelling, pain, and stiffness, often appear gradually and subtly, with symptoms gradually accumulating over weeks to months and worsening over time. The tiny bones of the hands (especially those at the base and middle of the fingers), the base of the toes, and the wrists are commonly affected by RA. According to the Arthritis Foundation, morning stiffness that lasts 30 minutes or more is another sign of RA.

RA is a condition that worsens over time. When inflammation is left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body, causing a variety of potentially catastrophic problems that can impact other organs like the heart, lungs, and nerves, as well as create considerable long-term disability. arrow pointing up

If you’re having RA symptoms, it’s critical to get diagnosed as soon as possible so you can get the therapy you need.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a disorder that happens when white blood cells, which ordinarily guard the body against outside invaders like germs and viruses, enter the synovium (the thin tissue that lines the synovial joints). Inflammation follows, with swelling, redness, warmth, and discomfort in the synovial joint.

The inflammatory synovium can harm the cartilage and bone in the joint, as well as weaken the supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons over time.

Researchers aren’t sure what causes the immune system to infiltrate the synovium, although genetic and environmental agents are believed to play a role in the development of RA.

People with certain genotypes, specifically the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, have a greatly greater risk of having RA, according to research.

By creating proteins that aid the immune system in recognizing proteins from foreign invaders, the HLA gene complex regulates immunological responses.

As reported by a study printed in the journal Rheumatology, a number of additional genes, including STAT4, PTPN22, TRAF1-C5, PADI4, CTLA4, and others, appear to be linked to RA susceptibility.

However, not everyone with these gene variations has RA, and those without them can develop it as well. As a result, it’s likely that environmental circumstances have a role in the disease’s onset, especially in persons who have a genetic predisposition to it. These elements include:

• Bacteria and viruses (though certain infections may reduce RA risk, at least temporarily)
• Hormones in women
• The inhalation of certain types of dust and fibers
• Secondhand smoke exposure
• Obesity accelerates the progression of disability in RA patients. Obese patients, regardless of treatment, had a lower chance of achieving RA remission.
• Extremely stressful situations
• Foods

Smoking and having a family history of RA are further factors that increase a person’s risk of developing the disease.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a malady that attacks children under the age of 16 who have swollen or painful joints all over their bodies for an extended period of time (JIA).

Supplements for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

The thought of using a dietary supplement to help with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) appeals to some people. Is there a natural way to relieve inflammation and joint pain? Check. Fewer pills to chew each day?

Supplements can be an exceptional addition to your RA treatment regimen in some situations. According to a review issued in August 2018 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, curcumin, the active element in the spice turmeric, has been shown to reduce RA inflammatory markers.

However, certain nutritional products that claim to help with RA may really cause more harm than good.

Some supplements, according to the Arthritis Foundation, can interfere with the way your body processes other medications you’re taking.

Plus, supplement labels aren’t always reliable. The bottle may say that each dose includes a specified amount of active ingredients, but there’s no way to tell for sure because supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA in the same way that traditional foods and pharmaceuticals are (FDA).

If you are resolved to try a supplement, talk to your doctor first, and make sure to mention all of the prescriptions you’re taking for RA since some supplements contain chemicals that could reduce or even eliminate their effectiveness.

5 Supplements to Avoid for RA

If you have RA, you should stay away from these supplements.

1. Arnica

This perennial herb has been utilized for medicinal purposes for ages and continues to be popular for a number of diseases, including osteoarthritis. However, no current research has shown that arnica is effective as a RA supplement, and it is on the FDA’s list of toxic plants.

Arnica should only be used in highly diluted homeopathic preparations, according to complementary medicine doctors.

2. Chaparral

The leaves and twigs of a shrub that grows in the American Southwest and Mexico are used to make this cure. Chaparral has been touted as a technique to reduce inflammation and treat arthritic pain, and it is available as a tea or a tablet. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the difficulty is that there isn’t any research to back up these assertions.

Furthermore, chaparral has the potential to be toxic to the liver. Chaparral should be avoided by anyone taking methotrexate for RA therapy since it increases the risk of liver damage, which is already a concern with the medicine. Furthermore, combining chaparral with other regularly given medications, such as statins for high cholesterol significantly raises the risk of liver damage.

3. Aconite

Aconite is a plant that belongs to the buttercup family of flowers and has been employed in homeopathy and Chinese medicine, despite being exceedingly poisonous. It’s said to help with circulation and, as a result, inflammation.

However, it can be harmful, especially when used as tea. According to the facts printed by the American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists, it can cause nausea, vomiting, an erratic heartbeat, and even death. The FDA declared a notification to companies that create homeopathic medications that pose major safety hazards, including aconite, in 2019.

4. Cat’s Claw

The bark and root of a vine found in the Amazon jungle and Central America are used to make this supplement. It’s considered that a cat’s claw can aid RA by lowering inflammation.

Despite the fact that some previous research indicated excellent results, side effects can be a problem. According to the Arthritis Foundation, a cat’s claw can produce nausea, headaches, dizziness, and vomiting. It’s also risky for people who take blood thinners like warfarin, as well as those who take blood pressure drugs because it can drop blood pressure.

People with tuberculosis or those using immune-suppressing treatments, such as biologic RA therapies, should avoid taking a cat’s claw, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

5. Kombucha (Fermented Tea)

This sweet and bubbly beer is well-known for its purported health advantages for everything from cancer to osteoarthritis. Black tea is fermented with yeast and bacteria to make kombucha.

Its proponents argue that it strengthens the immune system and improves the body’s detoxification abilities. However, research contradicts this. In fact, when consumed in large quantities, a variety of negative effects have been observed, including liver damage, nausea, and vomiting. Kombucha is easily infected by germs due to the way it’s made. It is not suggested for breastfeeding or pregnant women. The tea is highly acidic, which may reduce the efficiency of drugs that rely on stomach pH balance for absorption.

Alternative to the Supplements

If your goal is to treat RA discomfort, bear in mind that there are helpful alternatives, such as staying physically active, according to Dennis Cardone, DO, division chief of primary care sports medicine at NYU Langone Health in New York City. He claims that “there is a dearth of evidence that supplements promote pain alleviation.”

Yoga, meditation, massage, acupuncture, and sleep are among more natural methods to try for RA relief.