Hot And Cold Arthritis by Richard Heft

The body is not one structure and function but many that work together to produce greater structure and function, health and longevity. All structure and function is largely controlled through diet, as the body digests, transforms food, nutrients into blood into structure into function.

Arthritis is a disease of the joints which not only involve the bones and cartilage but also the ligaments (hold bones together), tendons (attach muscles to ligaments), muscles, nerves and blood.

All structure and function are built, fueled, cleansed, cooled, moistened and warmed by blood. Blood deficiency and stagnation, in the extreme, tend to cause arthritis.

1. COLD ARTHRITIS: A decrease in the supply, amount of blood, tends to cause heat, dryness, inflammation, cold, pain, weakness, numbness and or shaking, depending on the severity of deficiency. It is generally caused by blood deficiency (anemia), poor circulation and or medication. The first body parts to suffer blood deficiency and or poor circulation are the extremities, hands and feet.

Blood deficiency generally tends to occur more so in women than men. Women tend to eat anemic diets, low protein and low fat, high carbohydrate. They also tend to menstruate. This combination tends to cause blood deficiency (anemia, thin skin, hair, nails and bones; infertility, miscarriage, short term pregnancy, fear, depression) which in turn can dry, inflame and pain the joints, bones, muscles.

2. HOT ARTHRITIS: Blood stagnation in the form of high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis and cirrhosis tends to reduce the circulation of blood, which in turn, dries and weakens the joints, causing arthritic symptoms.

All blood passes in and out of the liver. The liver stores, cleanses (filters excess protein and fat) and distributes the blood. A clogged liver tends to swell with blood so that more blood passes in than out, which in turn. reduces the amount of blood circulated to the extremities.

This type of arthritis is more common among men than women. Men tend to eat too much fat and protein, building foods and not enough cleansing foods, carbohydrates, fruit, vegetables and grains; which in turn, tends to clog the liver, arteries and veins, which in turn, reduce circulation to the extremities, joints causing pain, weakness, inflammation, etc. Protein and especially fat (includes oil) are thick sticky nutrients that tend to stick and clog the arteries, veins, liver, etc.

There is also another popular cause: medication, especially blood thinners. Blood thinners not only thin the blood of excess cholesterol and fat, but also thin the bones, skin, hair, etc. because when you thin the blood you thin everything else.

There are three types of arthritis: osteo (bone on bone), rheumatoid (autoimmune) and gout (uric acid). OsteoArthritis can not be improved through diet or herbs. You can not grow cartilage (separates and cushions the bones) where there is none.

You can grow cartilage where there is some. Glucosamine sulfate ((1500 mg./ day, check with your doctor before using) and other supplements have been shown to grow cartilage. Solgar, Solaray, Enzymatic Therapy, Twin Lab and Natures Plus are high quality companies that not only manufacture and distribute but also research.

I owned and operated a small health food store, Food and Thought, Hollywood, Fl (1984-2001). I sold a lot of Glucosamine Sulfate and never heard a complaint, just praise. Check with your doctor before making any changes.

Dietary cures for blood deficiency and blood stagnation are relatively simple.

Blood deficiency requires more protein and fat (red meat, chicken, turkey, etc.), cooked foods and spices. Spices (cardamon, cumin, coriander, fennel, ginger, cayenne, etc.) aid in the digestion of protein and fat. They also act like blood thinners in thinning the blood of excess fat and protein. Reduce cold and or watery foods: raw vegetables, salads, tropical and citrus fruits, bitter herbs (laxatives, liver cleansers) and or cold drinks to improve digestion.

Digestion is a fiery process (acid and enzymes) transforms food, nutrients into blood. Cold and or water, in excess dilutes and decreases digestion, absorption. blood, energy, etc. This is a general rule for who suffer from blood deficiency.

Blood stagnation (clogged arteries, veins, liver, etc.) is also simple but timely to cure. It is a disease of excess. The first solution is eat less, skip meals (especially dinner), space the meals (gives body extra time and more to digest) and don’t eat late. The second solution is reducing animal protein and fat. No more than one time, meal per day, never at night. I like turkey. More vegetables (cabbage0, raw and cooked, more fruit (apples), peppermint tea, etc. Avoid alcohol. Bitter herbs (golden seal, gentian, etc.) may also help. Check with your doctor first.

Hot salves for reducing pain are also effective. You can any hot balm.

Thank you

About the Author

Richard G. Heft: Author, Hot and Cold Health: Acupuncture Physician (FL 1992-2002): owner, operator, Food and Thought, health food store, Hollywood, FL (1984-2001): questioning and counseling 30,000+ people: “What do you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner?”; Web: http://www.hotandcoldhealth.net