As we alluded to in our first blog post, inflammation is a major factor involved in aging and most diseases.  One of the most common and debilitating inflammatory diseases involved in aging is Arthritis. This condition can have a significant physical impact on lifestyle and quality of life. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll explore Arthritis and different types with insights into their prevention, and management. Additionally, we’ll provide a detailed Q&A section to address common concerns and questions.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term for “joint inflammation”.  Joints are the meeting points of two bones such as the shoulder, elbow, knee, hips, spine, fingers, and toes.  As we age, these joints and surrounding tissues can break down due to a variety of factors such as overuse, obesity, lifestyle, and excess inflammation. Inflammation is caused by one or more factors such as poor nutrition, smoking, toxins, etc.  There are dozens of specific types of arthritis but the common ones include Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid and Gout.  Here is a brief description of the 3 common types of arthritis:

Osteoarthritis – this type of arthritis is the “thinning of bones” due to bone mineral loss and bone mass decrease.  Most people don’t even know they have this issue until they break a bone.  In women, estrogen decreases at menopause, and for men, testosterone decreases at andropause;  which may lead to osteoarthritis.  

Rheumatoid– this type of arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks healthy joints and tissue leading to inflammation, chronic pain, swelling, and stiffness and can lead to organ disease of the heart, lungs, eyes muscles, etc.

Gout –  this form of arthritis is caused by the buildup of uric acid in the blood which may form crystals that are deposited in the joints causing pain, swelling, and inflammation.

***Lupus – Although lupus is NOT arthritis, it may cause arthritis symptoms.  Lupus is an inflammatory autoimmune disease whereby the immune system attacks the body.

Prevention and Management

• Prevention –  It is so important to discuss a progressive anti-aging management protocol with your healthcare practitioner – before it becomes an issue.  There are many progressive anti-aging and anti-inflammatory strategies that patients can participate in well before there is disease (see below).
• lifestyle changes are the most important progressive approach to mitigating any inflammation process before it gets out of control.  They include proper diet and nutrition, exercise, weight loss(if overweight), limiting alcohol, stopping smoking, and drastically limiting carbohydrate intake from sugar and fructose.  Without a doubt, excess carbohydrates and refined sugar elimination is the single most important step you can do to reduce inflammation. 

***In our blog posts, we will refer to metabolic “fitness” frequently as it is an important component of overall health.  

Metabolic fitness is the ability of your body to efficiently convert food into energy, use nutrients, and regulate hormones. It’s a key part of maintaining good health, preventing chronic diseases, and improving physical performance. Being metabolically fit means your body can digest and absorb nutrients without causing unhealthy spikes in blood sugar, blood fat, inflammation, and insulin. It also involves having a flexible metabolism that can adapt to different situations, giving you the energy you need to live your best life. Blood sugar swings are notorious for causing inflammation.  Therefore – prevention of arthritis starts with proper diet and nutrition having a good level of “metabolic fitness” and getting blood sugars under control.

• Management – Arthritis should first focus on diet and nutrition as stated to reduce inflammation. Proper rest to heal and repair the body is extremely important as is reducing stress, and minimizing alcohol and smoking as they are toxins.  Reduce or eliminate toxins in your environment that have any chemicals in them. Look at what you are consuming in terms of food and drink(read labels for chemical ingredients) and in any personal hygiene products.

Peptide therapy such as NAD and glutathione are good anti-inflammatory agents that assist our cellular engines (called mitochondria) to repair.   Losing excess weight with diet and exercise takes the weight off of joints helps them to heal and reduces inflammation. As well, exercise both cardiovascular and strength training strengthens bones and surrounding tissues while moving oxygen to tissues and removing wastes and toxins.  

Peptide therapy such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are new weight loss medications that are having a significant impact on those patients where weight is difficult to control.  These peptides are once-weekly injections that slow the gastric system leading to less hunger and ultimately weight loss.  These peptides also have a direct impact on reducing blood sugar levels and also directly reducing inflammation in the body.  They are in some ways..revolutionary!   

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) such as estrogens for women and testosterone for men can reduce inflammation.   Supporting Gut health for immune system support is a major anti-aging strategy and is thus important in managing arthritis. Mold and heavy metal testing may be important to determine possible causes of chronic inflammation. Detoxification protocols such as heat and cold therapy can assist in toxin elimination and thus are anti-inflammatory.  Supplementation of vitamins and minerals is important as we age as we may not be getting enough of these from our diets.  They include calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.  An antioxidant supplement regime is equally important because as we age free radical damage can cause inflammation.  Antioxidants assist in the elimination of these harmful products and would include CoQ10 and glutathione.  We like injectable antioxidants as they are not limited by the GI system.  We offer injectables at Freezewellness including peptides and antioxidants. Please email us at admin@mydrfreeze.com if you have any questions.

Q&A Section

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of arthritis?

A:  Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis can include any of the following: pain, stiffness, redness, inflammation(joints).

Q: When should I be assessed for Arthritis?

A: Aging adults should be assessed for general inflammation during regular visits with their healthcare practitioner.  If you are noticing sudden or unusually prolonged signs and symptoms of joint pain, swelling, redness to joints, difficulty walking, back pain or easily breaking bones then it’s time for a comprehensive assessment. Through a thorough history, blood work, and other testing, your healthcare practitioner should have a good idea if arthritis is the correct diagnosis.

Q: What lifestyle changes can help prevent Arthritis?

A:  The most significant lifestyle change to help prevent arthritis is: eating a healthy diet which includes a significant reduction of simple carbohydrate and sugar intake.  Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising both for cardiovascular health (aerobic activity) and strength training are important to strengthen joints and bones.

Q: Can Arthritis be cured?

A: While Arthritis may not be cured, it can be effectively managed with lifestyle changes. Regular monitoring and adherence to a comprehensive anti-aging and anti-inflammatory plan is crucial.

Q: Are there any natural remedies for managing Arthritis?

A: Natural remedies such as changes to diet, regular exercise, stress reduction techniques, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol can help manage arthritis. Supplementation of anti-inflammatory products can help.  If you go to full scripts and type in anti-inflammatory or arthritis products, there will be a list that you can choose from.  If you need help finding the right ones, please email us at admin@mydrfreeze.com

Q: Can diet alleviate Arthritis symptoms?

A: Diet may play an integral role in arthritis but this question is a tricky one!  Avoiding inflammatory foods is always a good idea.  Such foods include sugar, omega-6 seed oils, refined white flour, fried foods, processed foods, dairy, alcohol, fatty meats, and high-salt foods.  Diet and nutrition are extremely complicated from one person to the next and therefore most people need to pay attention to how they feel after they ingest particular foods.  This is the subject of another blog post in the future as what one person may be able to eat…another person cannot.

In conclusion, seniors face various health challenges, particularly related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and high blood pressure. Understanding these conditions and taking proactive steps to prevent and manage them can significantly improve quality of life and overall health. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying informed, and seeking regular medical care, seniors can navigate these common health issues more effectively.