A new study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives reported more rheumatoid arthritis in women in northern latitudes such as Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and concluded that this may be a result of less sunshine in these areas which leads to a vitamin D deficiency. The researchers looked at data from the Nurses Health Study and collected residential addresses, health outcomes, and behavioral risk factors for subjects between 1988 and 2002. In the sample 461 women had rheumatoid arthritis compared to 9,220 who did not. In addition to finding more RA in the northern latitudes there was more in those who had lived there longer suggesting that long term exposure to less sunshine may be more important than recent exposure.
Although further research on the relationship of vitamin D deficiency and rheumatoid arthritis is needed, the researchers said the geographic association has also been observed for other autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and Crohn’s disease.
Archive for the ‘rheumatoid arthritis’ Category
Get Sunshine and Avoid Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010New Approach May Halt or Reverse Rheumatoid Arthritis
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010New research to be published in the February issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism discussed a novel way to halt or reverse rheumatoid arthritis by using am imitation of a suicide molecule that floats undetected into immune cells that are responsible for this type of arthritis. Using this approach the researchers were able to stop the disease in 75% of the study mice without any observed toxic effects as is the case with current drugs. The mechanism is that healthy immune cells usually die after attacking an invading virus or bacteria. However, in rheumatoid arthritis the immune cells do not die but live on and go rogue proliferating in the blood, building up in the joints and invading cartilage and bone.
Researchers discovered that immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis are low in a critical molecule (Bim) that cause the immune cells to self- destruct. To correct this fault they developed an imitation of this molecule (called BH2) that was injected into study mice with rheumatoid arthritis that caused the immune cells to destruct, joint swelling was reduced and bone destruction decreased. Thus, they concluded that the molecule could prevent the disease and trigger a remission in those who have it. Further research is planned to develop a more precise method of delivering the drug.
Natural Treatments for Arthritis and Fibromyalgia
Sunday, January 31st, 2010
ON SATURDAY MY GUESTS ARE DR. JACOB TEITELBAUM (LEFT) AND DR. DAVID RUSSELL. DR TEITELBAUM, A BOARD CERTIFIED INTERNIST AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF A NATIONAL CHAIN OF FIBROMYALGIA AND FATIGUE CENTERS (WWW.FIBROANDFATIGUE.COM) SUFFERED WITH AND OVERCOME THESE ILLNESSES IN 1975. HE SPENT THE NEXT 30 YEARS CREATING, RESEARCHING, AND TEACHING ABOUT EFFECTIVE THERAPIES FOR FATIGUE AND PAIN. HE IS THE SENIOR AUTHOR OF THE LANDMARK STUDIES EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND FIBROMYALGIA-A PLACEBO CONTROLLED STUDY AND OF EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND FIBROMYALGIA WITH D-RIBOSE.
DR TEITELBAUM LECTURES INTERNATIONALLY AND IS THE AUTHOR OF THE BEST-SELLING BOOK FROM FATIGUE TO FANTASTIC. HE IS ALSO THE AUTHOR OF THREE STEPS TO HAPPINESS:HEALING THROUGH JOY AND THE RECENTLY RELEASED PAIN FREE 1-2-3-A PROVEN PROGRAM TO GET YOU PAIN FREE BY MCGRAW HILL PUBLISHERS IN 2006. AS A PATIENT ADVOCATE DR TIETELBAUM HAS A POLICY OF NOT TAKING MONEY FROM ANY PHARMACEUTICAL OR NATURAL PRODUCT COMPANIES, AND 100% OF THE ROYALTIES FROM HIS PRODUCTS GO TO CHARITY. HIS WEBSITE IS: www.vitality101.com
MY SECOND GUEST IS DR DAVID RUSSELL WHO HOLDS A DOCTORATE IN NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE AND IS COMPLETING ANOTHER DOCTORATE OF DIVINITY AND IS THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION CARITAS TRADITIONALIS, AN INTERNATIONAL PROJECT WHOSE GOAL IS TO CREATE A SELF-SUSTAINABLE MEDICAL PRESENCE IN ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED COMMUNITIES. HE ALSO MAINTAINS CONSULTATION ON INTEGRATED HEALTH IN TUCSON, ARIZONA AND DENMARK. . FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS HE HAS TAUGHT CLASSICAL MEDICAL DISCIPLINES IN EUROPE, NEPAL AND THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS DIAGNOSTICS AND HOMEOPATHY IN NATUROPATHIC SCHOOLS IN DENMARK AND NORWAY.
IN ADDITION TO HIS DOCTORAL DEGREE HIS EDUCATION INCLUDED STUDYING AND PRACTICING WITH CLASSICAL MASTERS IN EUROPE, NEPAL, AND THE MIDDLE EAST. HE HOLDS CERTIFICATION IN REFLEXOLOGY, HOMEOPATHY, ACUPUNCTURE, BIOCHEMISTRY, IRIDOLOGY, AND KNEIPP THERAPY. HE IS ALSO QUALIFIED IN CHINESE, TIBETIAN, AYURVEDIC AND ISLAMIC MEDICINE.
HE LIVED IN DENMARK FROM 1969 TO 1991 AND HAS WORKED IN THE HEALTH FIELD SINCE 1974, DURING THAT TIME HE BECAME A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DANISH SOCIETY FOR INTEGRATED MEDICINE AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ESTABLISHING THE THREE MAJOR CLINICS FOR INTEGRATED MEDICINE IN DENMARK. HE IS ALSO A MEDICAL CONSULTANT FOR A DANISH CLINIC FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.
DAVID IS THE AUTHOR OF HEALTHY SOLUTIONS: A GUIDE TO SIMPLE HEALING AND HEALTHY WISDOM, FOR WHICH HE RECEIVED THE ARIZONA BOOK AWARD FOR BEST HEALTH/NUTRITION/WELLNESS BOOK. HE LECTURES WIDELY AND HAS BEEN FEATURED AT EVENTS AND CONFERENCES INCLUDING THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF PROBIOTIC MEDICINE, INSTITUTE OF NOETIC SCIENCES, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY, CANCER COTROL SOCIETY, JUNGIAN SOCIETY, AND THE U OF ARIZONA.
New Drug Cautiously Approved for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010Tocilizumab, brand-named Actemra, is a new biologic drug for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthtritis that is not well controlled by other medications. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and should be available for patients during the week of January 18. It is the first drug that blocks a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6) which is overproduced in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. The drug is given once a month by intravenous infusion and is powerful and fast acting. However, there are safety concerns so it must be used cautiously. Side effects experienced by people taking it during clinical trials included elevated LDL or bad cholesterol, high blood pressure, elevated liver enzymes and gastrointestinal perforations. Thus, its use is recommended only for those who have not responded to other therapies and the FDA is requiring the manufacturer to monitor it’s long term safety. Specifically the FDA is interested in evaluating the long term effect of elevated LDL, cholesterol and blood pressure on the cardiovascular health of those on the drug. If this drug is recommended, make sure you have frequent testing by your primary health care provider.
Fish Oil and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010Research published in Nature on October 28 and carried out by Queen Mary, University of London, and Harvard Medical School researchers showed precisely why fish oil helps conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The research described how the body converts an ingredient found in fish oil (DHA*) into another chemical called Resolvin D2 and how this chemical reduces inflammation, a common condition in arthritis. Resolvin D2 seems to have additional value because in addition to its anti-inflammatory properties it does not suppress the immune system. This research is important because it explains how fish oil can help in different kinds of arthritis. The researchers plan to work further to see if this chemical can be used to prevent arthritis and be used for other diseases that are associated with inflammation.
*DHA (docosahexsenoic acid) is an omega 3 fatty acid. fish oil is a rich source of this.
Mark Lubin and Ellice Longo Interviewed on the Holistic Health Show
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
Mark Lubin and Ellice Longo were interviewed by Dr Carl O Helvie, host of the Holistic Health Show, on BBS Radio (www.bbsradio.com) last night. Mark is Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Scientist at RZN Neutraceuticals and his biography was posted earlier on this site. More information at: www.RZNnutra.com
Ellice is a certified holistic health counselor and licensed massage therapist and Founder and Owner of Enlightened Healthcare. Her biography also appeared on this site earlier. More information at: www.ellicelongo.com
Their interview follows:
Dr Garrett Smith, N.P., and Karon White-Gibson Interviewed on the Holistic Health Show
Sunday, November 29th, 2009

Dr Carl O Helvie, Host of the Holistic Health Show, interviewed Dr Garrett Smith and Karon White-Gibson on arthritis last night. Dr Smith, a naturopathic physician in Tucson, Arizona, talked about the effect of nightshades on arthritis. His biography was published earlier on this site.
Mrs Karon White-Gibson is a registered nurse, author and television host who has arthritis. She talked about the natural treatments she has used. Her biography was published on the site earlier.
You can listen to the interview below. I hope you will enjoy it.
Moderate Benefits of Dynamic Exercises for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
Researchers at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that dynamic exercise programs had moderate benefits for rheumatoid arthritis patients and recommended aerobic capacity training combined with muscle strength training as routine practice for these patients. However, more research is needed to determine the recommended length and type of exercise program, if patients need supervision, and if these programs are cost effective.
The researchers combined data from 8 studies involving 575 patients and founds that dynamic exercises are safe and have a positive effect on aerobic capacity and muscle strength for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and when performed long term have a positive effect on functional ability. However, the benefits are seen only after the intervention and programs that are water-based may help improve functioning of patients. Results were published in the Cochrane Library.







