John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

During the next few weeks we are going to see how people with various health problems can benefit from adopting a nutritional support plan alongside normal medical treatment.

Today we are having another look at Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) – a disease that seems to be increasing among our 60 plus age population. In the last few years I have had more people contact me about PMR than any other problem. I have written several articles on PMR, so feel free to request copies of these.

PMR is characterised by inflammation in the tissues surrounding joints, especially around the shoulders and hips. The result is pain referred into the muscles with significant stiffness especially in the mornings. While PMR and associated tiredness is a real nuisance, the greatest concern is that it may develop into Giant Cell Arteritis. This is an inflammatory disease affecting the elastic linings of arteries. This can result in serious problems, including blindness. If you have experienced rapid onset of muscle pain you should immediately see your GP.

Most medical researchers agree PMR starts with a genetic predisposition. There is a certain combination of genes that increases your risk of developing the disease. The trigger for PMR may be a virus, but the main culprit is the immune system generating a major increase in inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, especially the interleukins IL2 and IL6. This inflammation is shown in blood tests such as ESR and CRP. Medical treatment is based on a course of steroid (prednisone) medication starting at higher doses. This usually provides very rapid relief. The doses are then slowly lowered as symptoms reduce and blood tests show declining inflammation.

PMR is one example where nutritional therapy works very well with medical treatment. The steroids work like a dam – restricting the flow of a flooding river by blocking inflammation, while the nutrients work to normalise immune responses. The key is to add a cocktail of natural compounds, including fatty acids, trace minerals and various antioxidants and co-factors that help reduce the immune system output of inflammatory cytokines. One of the real benefits of this approach is we can also target the processes in PMR that cause the fatigue usually part of PMR. In my observation, the first benefit people notice is improvements in their energy, often within a couple of months.

John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health. For product information visit www.abundant.co.nz

If you have questions or would like a free health plan phone 07 578 9051 or 0800 423 559 or email john@johnarts.co.nz

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