Ask the doctor

Better Nutrition, June, 2004 by Frank Ervolino

I have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) nodules on my hands. Other than surgery, what do you recommend to reduce their size?

--Cindy B

To treat the condition, you have to modulate the immune system, encourage less inflammation, relieve pain and encourage normal joint growth. To do this, I recommend the following:

Take 2 grams per day of an omega-3 fatty acid. This will change inflammation mediators (prostaglandins) in your body from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory. Omega-3 is an essential fatty, acid that can he obtained from the diet or in supplement form.

Try to reduce your fat intake to 20 percent of total calories. Eliminate animal fat, cheese, cooking oils and any other foods that derive their calories from fat. Omega-3 oils and foods containing high amounts of essential fatty acids are fine.

Consider going on a vegetarian or vegan diet. There are studies that show that people who adopt a vegetarian diet see improvement in their RA symptoms within 4 weeks.

Have your thyroid checked for hypothyroidism, and also get tested for intestinal parasites (specifically amoebas), which can be a cause of RA in a small proportion of the RA population.

Take 50 milligrams (mg) of zinc sulfate three times per day. RA patients have been shown to have low levels of zinc in their bodies, and studies show improvement from taking zinc. Vitamin E (1,000 international units (IU)/day) and selenium (400 micrograms (mcg)/day) can also decrease inflammation.

Ginger (1-4 grams of powdered tool per day) can inhibit inflammatory prostaglandin and leukotriene production in the body.

Curcumin, which is also called turmeric, is a potent anti-inflammatory that works in a manner similar to many popular prescription pharmaceuticals used for pain. I suggest 1-3 mg per day of copper salicylate, which is a unique form of copper that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It mimics superoxide dismutase (SOD), a potent, natural antioxidant.

Two remedies from file sea that benefit RA sufferers are green-lipped mussel extract (350 mg 3 times/day) and sea cucumber (500 mg 4 times/day). Both have been shown to not only improve pain control hut also to improve the ability' of the joint to function.

Finally, RA sufferers should consider taking cetyl myristolcate (CMO), which acts as a joint lubricant and anti-inflammatory agent. Dosage is 400-500 mg per day. Studies show that GMO works well for patients who have tailed to respond to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Frank Ervolino, ND, lives in Palm City, Florida. He's on the staff of Jupiter Medical Center Hospital as art acupuncturist. He received his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and a Masters of Science Degree in acupuncture from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. In 2003, he was appointed by the governor to the Florida State Board of Acupuncture.

Dr. Ervolino is happy to answer your health questions. Email him at askdre@adelphia.net.