What Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis

Turmeric is made from the dried rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant, belonging to the ginger family. Native to South Asia, Turmeric has a long history in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. The key component is the organic polyphenol, curcumin, which is responsible for giving the plant its yellow color. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have been used in the treatment of arthritis, digestive disorders, respiratory and metabolic issues.  

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are essential fats absorbed through food including fish (mackerel, salmon, seabass), vegetable oils (flax oil, soybean oil), nuts (walnuts) and seeds (flax, chia, hemp). There are three main Omega-3 Fatty Acids: ALA also known as Alpha-Linolenic Acid, EPA also known as Eicosapentaenoic Acid and DHA also known as Docosahexaenoic Acid. ALA is found naturally in plants, while EPA and DHA are found in fish. Omega-3 Fatty Acids maintain heart, vascular, lung, brain, immune and endocrine system health, while reducing inflammation.

SAMe, the acronym for S-adenosyl-L-methionine, is a compound found naturally in the human body. Discovered in the 1950s as a derivative of the amino acid methionine, it maintains cell membranes, in addition to, producing and regulating hormones. It is not found naturally in foods, therefore a synthetic version is required to normalize inadequate levels.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in foods including fish (salmon, trout, sardines) and mushrooms (morel, chanterelle, oyster, shiitake), but more substantially from sun exposure, as the sun’s ultraviolet rays trigger synthesis. 

Boswellia, also known as Indian Frankincense, is made from Boswellia serrata tree gum-resin. Native to India, Africa and the Middle East, the branching tree has been used in African folk and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries as an analgesic and in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Cayenne Pepper also known as Capsicum annuum is a hot chili pepper in the Solanaceae or nightshade family of flowering plants. Native to South America, Cayenne was introduced to Europe in the 15th century by Christopher Columbus. The active component responsible for the pepper’s spicy heat, Capsaicin, is an antioxidant used medicinally as a digestive aid and topical analgesic.

Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables, also known as ASU, are natural vegetable extracts made from the fruits and seeds of avocado and soybean oils in the ratio of 1:2. Known for its anti-inflammatory effects, ASU has been used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and as an analgesic. 

Cat’s Claw, also known as Uncaria tomentosa, is a tropical vine native to the Amazon rainforest. Named for its hook-like thorns, Cat’s Claw is an antioxidant and immune stimulant used in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years by the indigenious people of South and Central America. Currently, it is used in the treatment of viral infections including AIDS, alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer and gastro-intestinal disorders.

Ginger is a tropical, green-purple, flowering plant from the Zingiberaceae family closely related to cardamom and turmeric. The oily resin from its rhizome contains many biochemic compounds including gingerol regarded for its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been widely used throughout ancient Sanskrit, Chinese, Greek, Roman, and Arabic history for its medical properties treating ailments like colds and nausea.

Quercetin is a flavonoid and powerful antioxidant helping to combat free radical damage. Part of the diverse group of phytonutrients responsible for pigmentation, the compound is found in vegetables (watercress, cilantro, radicchio, asparagus, okra)  and fruits (elderberry, cranberry, blueberry, blackberry, fig).

Folate is the natural form of Vitamin B9, sold as a supplement as Folic Acid. Folate plays a critical role in cell division, as well as the formation of red and white blood cells, DNA and RNA. Folate is found naturally in dark leafy vegetables (spinach, romaine, broccoli), fruits (oranges, lemons, banana, strawberries), legumes (beans, peanuts) and eggs.

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a naturally-occurring compound in the Cannabid sativa L plant, commonly known as hemp. Originating in Central Asia, hemp has been cultivated for thousands of years.  CBD is non-psychoactive and has been used to treat conditions ranging from chronic pain and anxiety to autoimmune and skin diseases.