Get a Grip on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders :: Children and Parenting

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Get a Grip on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders
by author Reviewed by Rita Bayer

Get a Grip on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders
by Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe
Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2004, 116 pages

In her book, Get a Grip on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders, Lorna Vanderhaeghe clearly demonstrates her belief in empowering people with health knowledge so they can achieve optimal wellness.

Lorna discusses symptoms and causes of common inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, lupus, eczema, bowel disease, gingivitis, and gout. She provides health tips to enhance healing and prescriptions for health. She also lists other recommendations to help alleviate pain.

Lorna points out that inflammation is now thought to play a role in many conditions, from allergies and asthma to macular degeneration and memory loss. Some contributing factors to inflammation are viruses, parasites, bacteria, stress, environmental toxins, smoking, high blood-insulin levels, certain foods (including sugar), and insomnia. Lorna explains, though, that obesity is the strongest contributor to the inflammatory response.

Extra Pounds a Problem

Given that 50 percent of North Americans are overweight and an added 15 percent are classed obese, it is no wonder that public health care planners expect to see an immense increase in inflammatory diseases. Every 10 pounds of overweight puts 40 pounds of additional pressure on knees and hips, compressing cartilage and collagen and grinding down bones, thus promoting damage and the inflammatory response. Fat cells excrete histamines and cytokines; therefore, the more fat cells you have the more potential there is for inflammation.

The solution? Lorna recommends choosing unprocessed whole foods, without sugar or fake fats, to keep blood-glucose levels within a healthy range. She explains how natural remedies such as boswellia, devil’s claw, turmeric, white willow bark, and glucosamine sulphate can help reduce inflammation.

Based on Clinical Experience
Lorna has found that glucosamine sulphate can be more effective when used in conjunction with a pain management compound. The pain management compound stops the joint-damaging process of arthritis, while glucosamine sulphate repairs the damage that has already occurred. The result is reduced pain and swelling and increased range of motion.

If you suffer from an inflammation disorder, you’ll want to empower yourself with the amazing range of health knowledge Lorna offers by keeping Get a Grip on Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders within arm’s reach.

Rita Bayer is a BC researcher, writer, and editor who believes in natural health solutions.

Source: alive #276, October 2005

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