It’s the purpose of this blog to suggest natural options for healing, healing with food.  So since part 1 of this post on arthritis was a brief overview of the arthritis epidemic and the nature of the disease, part 2 is going to provide a few insights into how a person might develop arthritis and give you a natural food option to help treat it.

The Leading Causes of Arthritis

By some estimates, there are over 200 causes of arthritis in its many forms.  Among these, some of the key factors are:

• genetics

As with so many diseases, your genes play a big part in whether or not you develop arthritis:  If you have a family history of it, you’re more likely to develop it yourself.

• gender

At least in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, you’re 2 to 4 times more likely to develop it if you’re female.

• cigarette smoking

Even moderate smokers (6 cigarettes per day) increase their risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis – by up to 1500%!

• obesity

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition sites excess weight as being the number one risk factor in developing osteoarthritis in the hips and hands of those over 60,

• stress

Stress seems to affect everything, and arthritis is no exception.  Stress has been shown to trigger arthritis flare-ups.

Goji Berries:  A Healing Food for Arthritis

Goji berries — also known as wolfberries, gou qi zi, or Fructus lycii –are members of the nightshade family and grow on evergreen shrubs in the temperate and subtropical areas of China and Mongolia as well as in the Tibetan Himalayas.  Usually found dried, they look like red raisins.

Goji berries have been shown to enhance the conversion of food into energy.  Because of this they have been used with significant success in anti-obesity studies. As mentioned earlier, one of the leading factors in arthritis is obesity.

In Asia, the consumption of goji berries is recommended for a cheerful attitude in dealing with stress.  Stress has been cited as a trigger in arthritis flare-ups. (And it’s almost always cited by smokers as the reason they smoke.)

But perhaps what is most important about goji berries  is that they have been found to increase superoxide dismutase (SOD), a powerful anti-inflammatory enzyme, by up to 40%!

Remember that earlier I mentioned that joint inflammation is the common factor in arthritis?   Well, the free radical most implicated in arthritic inflammation is superoxide.  Normally, the body can control superoxide by producing an enzyme known as superoxide dismutase, but in the case of chronic inflammation, the body can’t on its own keep up with the superoxide production. Goji berries to the rescue.

So, while these little berries can’t help with genes or gender, they definitely seem to be beneficial in combating obesity, stress, and – most important – the superoxides connected with arthritic inflammation.

So How Many Goji Berries Do You Need?

The usual dosage as indicated by research indicates that a maintenance dose for arthritic conditions is 2 ounces of premium quality standardized goji juice taken two or three times per day at meals.  The dose can be doubled during flare-ups.

Image via Wikipedia

As I said, I grew up in Florida, and I’ve known a lot of people who’ve suffered from arthritis.  I hope that if you have arthritis, this information was helpful.  As always, remember that while every effort is made to insure that the information in this blog is accurate, it is for information and entertainment purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your health care provider before using or taking any home remedies or supplements or following any suggestions on this site. Only your health care provider can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs.