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Ankylosing
Spondylitis Research
- Diet &
Lifestyle
Apart from the importance of diet in our
general health and well-being, research is now confirming that specific
nutrients and dietary practices are very much associated with most forms
of arthritis including Ankylosing Spondylitis. It is interesting to note
that Ankylosing Spondylitis is much more common among people of countries
where rich foods are commonly eaten (eg. Europe, USA, Canada, Australia)
yet it is a very rare disease in those parts of the world (including
Africa and Asia) where wholegrains, fruits and vegtables make up most of
the diet and meat and dairy products are rarely eaten. The difference
cannot be explained by genetics because when people emigrate from Asia to
western countries and subsequently adopt a westernised diet, arthritis
becomes common amongst them. Similarly, when the elite, wealthy people of
third world countries adopt a 'rich' western style diet, they too fall
prey to this crippling disease.
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Vegan diet
& Ankylosing Spondylitis
A vegan diet excludes all meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy food and
includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, pulses, seeds and
nuts. There has been an interesting study with arthritis sufferers
involving a one week fast followed by three weeks of a vegan dietary
regime. At the end of the period, it was found that 60% of the
participants felt better with "less pain and increased functional
ability." (1) A later study into the dietary habits of patients
suffering with Ankylosing Spondylitis found that all patients ate meat or
dairy products on a regular basis while most of them only occasionally ate
fresh fruits and vegetables(2).
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Fat free diet
& Ankylosing Spondylitis
Meat and dairy products contain arachidonic acid, a fatty acid which
contributes to the inflammation experienced in rheumatism and arthritis
because it is converted into inflammatory prostaglandin and leukotrienes.
In one study, arthritis sufferers reported a complete absence of symptoms
after going on a fat free diet for 7 weeks. Interestingly, when fats were
re-introduced into their diets, their symptoms returned. (3)
Dr John MacDougall M.D. a prominent
proponent of Hygienist and naturopathic health principles recommends that
his patients have a low fat diet with no animal products whatsoever as
well as eliminating highly allergenic plant foods such as wheat, corn and
citrus fruits. He says "benefits are usually seen within a few
days." (4) He explains that "One of the ways in which things we
eat can cause arthritis is by contributing to the formation of persistent
'immune complexes', in which animal proteins...enter the bloodstream and
combine with specific antibodies produced against them. Complexes act much
like slivers of wood stuck under the skin, causing severe inflammation of
the joints."
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Deadly
nightshade plants &
Ankylosing Spondylitis
There is a theory that the sodium alkaloids found in plants from the
deadly nightshade family (eg. potatoes, aubergines, tomatoes, and red and
green peppers) may cause/contribute to arthritis and Ankylosing
Spondylitis in some people. This theory was given credence by a study in
which a group of 3,000 rheumatoid arthritis sufferers cut out foods from
the deadly nightshade family and subsequently, they had reduced aches,
pains and disfigurement. (5)
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Food Combining
& Ankylosing Spondylitis
Many foods are not easily digested when eaten together. The Hay system of
food combining recommends, for example, that high protein foods (eg.
meats, dairy, eggs, fish, nuts, soya) should not be eaten at the same meal
as high carbohydrate foods (eg. rice, potatoes, bread) because proteins
require an acid medium in the stomach to be broken down whereas
carbohydrates require an alkaline medium. This means that the bulk of the
diet should be fruits, salad and vegetables which are neither starch or
protein and eat wholefoods rather than refined foods. One report of an
rheumatoid arthritis sufferer, Elizabeth Doran, who had suffered for over
15 years, stated that "within a few days, the pain eased up and the
swelling started to go down. It had almost disappeared within a
fortnight." (6) Mrs Doran enthused: "I feel better in every way.
I can dance and leap and run. My praise for this system knows no
bounds." The report went on to say that: "The benefits for
rheumatic disorders can be extraordinary and changes can be noticed within
a week or two. Those who stay on the diet say they feel much better
physically and mentally."
For more information on the Hay system
either consult a
qualified
naturopath (see Where to Go for Help) or the
Book 'Food Combining for Health' by Doris Grant (Thorsons).
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Vitamin C
& Ankylosing Spondylitis
Vitamin C is known to boost the immune system and one report found that
pain was significantly reduced in elderly people suffering from arthritis
when vitamin C was added to their diet. (7)
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Evening
Primrose Oil & Ankylosing Spondylitis
A report in the Lancet reveals that EPO is effective for a substantial
number of patients suffering from
arthritic
pain. (8)
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Gluten Free
diet & Ankylosing Spondylitis
Many people who suffer with arthritis have an enzyme deficiency in their
small intestines which prevents them from absorbing gluten - a sticky
protein found in wheat and rye flour. Interestingly, those areas where
gluten cereals are included in the staple diet are also those areas with
the highest incidence of arthritis. (9) Conversley, countries where rice
or corn (low gluten foods) is the staple grain have a much lower rate of
arthritic and rheumatic diseases.
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Vitamin D
& Ankylosing Spondylitis
An article in the British Medical Journal (10) reported that "vitamin
D deficiency
seems
to play an important role in causing both fractures and
the osteopenia (bone frailty) of long-standing rheumatoid arthritis."
The authors pointed out that advanced arthritis sufferers rarely leave the
house and consequently do not receive adequate sunlight for their bodies
to synthesise vitamin D. Obtaining an hour a day of direct daylight or
dietary supplementation of vitamin D is a factor often overlooked in
chronic arthritis sufferers.
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Vitamin E
& Ankylosing Spondylitis
Vitamin E is now recognised to be an important nutrient in arthritic
disorders helping reduce inflammation in the tissues. One research paper
found that may be beneficial for patients suffering from Ankylosing
Spondylitis by reducing the inflammatory process. (11)
References:
(1) 'Fasting & Vegan Diet in Rheumatoid
Arthritis' Skoldstam, Lars, Scand J Rheumatology 1986, 15; p219-223
(2) [Diet of patients with ankylosing spondylitis] Prehrana bolesnika s
ankilozantnim spondilitisom.
Jajic I; Jajic Z; Cegnar M; Ozic-Bebek M; Jajic I Medicinskog fakulteta
Sveucilista u nastavnoj bazi Klinicke bolnice Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb.
Reumatizam (YUGOSLAVIA) 1991, 38 (1-4) p17-20
(3) Wayne State University College of Medicine - reported in Better
Nutrition March 1990 v52 n3 p9
(4) The MacDougall Programme (Penguin) 1990 p312.
(5) The Nightshades & Health N Childers & GM Russo - Horticulture
Publications, Somerville, New Jersey 1973
(6) Here's Health December 1993 p.40
(7) Cass et al Geriatrics 9: 375 (1954).
(8) J.N McCormick et al The Lancet (2:508) 1977
(9) Bestways Sept 1989 p.42
(10) Reported by Mark Pritkin in The Practical Encyclopedia of Natural
Healing (Rodale Press)
(11) [Alternative therapy. Chances in Bechterew disease?] Alternative
Therapie. Chancen beim Morbus Bechterew? Berquet KH Versicherungsmedizin
(GERMANY) Oct 1 1991, 43 (5) p140-2
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This page was last updated on 04 December 2006 21:10:56
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