In this Issue:
Greetings
[[firstname]],
Achy Joints May
Mean Systemic Inflammation
Are falling temperatures, low barometric pressure, increased humidity and
rainy conditions making you a little stiffer than usual? Are your joints getting
good at predicting a storm?
Have you or someone you love become a human barometer? And, what exactly is
happening, when a sailor says, “When your joints hurt, a storm is approaching”?
An Inflammation Refresher
It’s all about pressue. Take a balloon, for example, and put it in a vacuum.
As the pressure around that balloon is reduced, the balloon expands.
If you’ve already got some inflammation in your joints, as the pressure
outside goes down, your tissue expands and your joints feel an increase in pain.
Alas, this is the
inflammatory response.
The inflammatory response means white blood cells and other chemicals react,
releasing cytokines.
Cytokines are cell messengers that mediate and control immune and
inflammatory responses that protect you from infection, bacteria, and viruses.
Normally this response is only triggered under acute injury or illness. But,
when your immune system is out of balance due to poor health practices, your
body triggers a full-fledged inflammatory response all the time, making your
joints and other pain points ache more.
The seeds of systemic inflammation take root in the gastrointestinal tract.
Too much sugar and carbohydrates, the wrong ratio of fatty acids, and high
levels of wheat, dairy and other allergens stack the deck in inflammation's
favor.
Inflamed cells can't absorb nutrients or expel toxins properly, which can
open the doors to mischief. Systemic inflammation is being studied in connection
to illnesses from arthritis and Alzheimer’s to diabetes and heart disease.
So, if an old sports injury is giving you trouble on damp low-pressure days,
it’s a good idea to take a look at reducing inflammation throughout your whole
body.
Here are some proven things you can do to keep those joints moving, and
decrease inflammation this season:
Get enough sleep. During sleep, the body regenerates, and
the immune system calms down. Inflammatory cytokines are secreted less by
those that get enough sleep.
Get your body moving. Weight management is an important
aspect of maintaining a balanced immune system and controlling inflammation.
Fat cells secrete inflammatory histamines and cytokines, especially during
weight gain.
Don’t overeat. Overeating promotes the inflammatory
response and suppresses the immune system, so try "push outs" and push
yourself back from the table after one serving.
Decrease your intake of foods that cause inflammation:
-
Cut down on eggs, beef, and dairy products.
Avoid deep fried foods like french fries and overcooked foods like barbeque.
-
Stay away from “hydrogenated” or “partially
hydrogenated” oils -- “trans fats” -- they cause inflammation.
-
Don’t eat processed foods of any type.
-
Exclude the nightshade family -- potatoes,
peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant -- especially if you suffer from arthritis.
-
Cut down on refined sugar, caffeine, smoking,
and alcohol consumption.
Increase in your diet foods that reduce inflammation:
-
Eat more vegetables (especially non-starchy
varieties) and fruit.
-
Try free-range chicken, and add more fish
(rich in beneficial essential fatty acids) as an alternative to beef.
-
Extra virgin olive oil is the safest oil you
can find in your supermarket.
-
Choose complex carbohydrates, like brown rice,
and foods that are lower on the glycemic index to help balance blood sugar,
lower insulin requirements, reduce blood pressure, and improve immune system
function.
To supplement these efforts, and keep those bones and joints healthy:
First, because two thirds of your immune system is in your “gut”, you can
begin addressing systemic inflammation with:
Probiotics 16 balances intestinal
micro-flora, which strengthen the immune system, help your body resist
allergens, and lower the systemic inflammation response.
Fiber supports digestion and elimination
of toxins, as well as lowers C-reactive protein (a clinical inflammation
marker). Strive for 30 grams of fiber per day.
Next, keep those joints moving with:
Evening Primrose Oil helps the body
produce natural, anti-inflammatory substances called prostaglandins. Evening
primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, which helps reduce joint tenderness
and has shown to improve symptoms of rheumetoid arthritis.
Fish Oil helps the body regulate
and balance inflammatory response, and is well know for reducing painful
symptoms of arthritis, cystitis, bursitis, sinusitis, tendonitis, prostatitis,
dermatitis, and other "itises."
SAM-e helps to protect cartilage from wearing down in the
aging process. SAM-e is known for increasing joint mobility, reducing swelling
(anti-inflammatory), and improving liver function by production of glutathione
-- a very powerful antioxidant. It doesn't hurt, as the holiday season
approaches, that SAM-e is known for promoting positive moods too.
Joint Complex (comprised of the
following ingredients) is a Co-op favorite for joint comfort, both the humans
and their canine friends.
Glucosamine is a key building block
of joint cartilage and joint fluid. Glucosamine stimulates the synthesis of
proteoglycans, resulting in tissue that holds water to give
cartilage thickness and its cushioning effect. This is especially important
when you age, as cartilage degradation can occur.
Chondroitin relieves joint pain and
increases mobility by drawing nutrients and tissue fluid into cartilage.
Tissue fluid acts as a “shock absorber,” protecting the cartilage from being
worn away by the bones. Chondroitin also shows anti-inflammatory properties,
inhibits enzymes that break down cartilage, and stimulates production of new
cartilage.
MSM (methylsulfonymethane) relieves
pain and inflammation, and may inhibit the formation of scar tissue around
joints. MSM also slows down degradation of cartilage and aids in general
immune function.
Collagen supports joints in
gradually building up a new layers of cartilage, thus improving joint
mobility and flexibility.
Stock up on your favorite joint
products today.
Dog Rescuers Appreciate Joint Help, Too!
This kat received a note last week
from Roxanne
Godsey, board member of the
DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue.
DWF Rescue saves cocker spaniels of
all ages from kill-shelters and provides vet care, shelter and food until a
permanent loving home can be found. They find homes for around 175 dogs each
year!
This kat called Roxanne to find out
more.
OHC: How did you get into Cocker
Spaniel rescuing?
Roxanne: My husband was in
the Air Force for 21 years, and I warned him that when we retired, I wanted a
dog. First I had one, then two, now I have four! At one point I was fostering up
to 13, but I promised my husband I would take it easy for a few years.
OHC: How does your organization
operate?
Roxanne: We run 100% on
donations. I volunteer about 60 hours/week, but most of our volunteers have
other part-time and full-time jobs. We have about 20 to 30 foster homes at any
given time, and the other volunteers take dogs to the vet, transport them from
shelters, and staff "meet and greet" events.
When a dog comes into our care, it
is examined by a veterinarian, spayed or neutered, treated for any possible
diseases, and sent to a foster home until a permanent, loving home can be found.
OHC: How did you find out about
Our Health Co-op?
Roxanne: I think I was
living in Alaska at the time and someone told me about your site. I can't
remember for sure but it's been years!
I am a strong proponent of your
company and share the word with everyone I can. You have no idea how many
magazine corners or crumpled up receipts I've written your web site on for
people -- doctors offices, vet offices, you name it!
Your prices and customer service
are phenomenal! The fact that you are an animal-friendly company is simply icing
on the cake!
OHC: When did you start giving
your dogs glucosamine?
Roxanne: Someone in the
rescue organization recommended glucosamine to me when my older dogs began
getting stiff and achy during the winter. I started comparing your glucosamine
to joint products I would find in pet stores or veterinarians and the price
difference was phenomenal.
Now, every morning all four of my
dogs line up for their "peanut butter and pills." Only the two older dogs
actually get the glucosamine, but I can't deprive the young ones of their peanut
butter!
OHC: What would you like folks
to know about pet rescue efforts?
Roxanne: We, and every other rescue
organization, are always in need of foster homes and donations. If you, or
someone you know, might be interested, please contact your local rescue
organization.
Also, I like to remind everyone to
please remember heartworm prevention and vaccinations for your furry friends,
even through the winter!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Fair members, don't be shy about
contacting your local rescue organization to lend a hand. They always need your
help. ^..^
Teri's Gone to Maui!
Teri's heading to Maui to bask in
the Pacific Island sun and celebrate the wedding of her son-in-law.
What this means for you besides
some envy? All calls next week will be forwarded to Tess at our Salt Lake City
office.
For all of Teri's fans, not to
worry. Tess gets high marks from everyone whose call ever gets routed to those
hinterlands out West.
'Til next time, fair members!
Still purringly yours,
Guido
Guido Housemouser
Chief Kat and Community Manager
Our Health Co-op, Incorporated
4188 Westroads Drive, Unit 123
Riviera Beach, FL 33407
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