Skeletal System
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Common Bone Diseases
10.13 Arthritis – There are around 200 types of arthritis which can be broadly divided into rheumatoid (inflammatory arthritis) and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease, is the most common. It affects primarily the weight bearing joints like the hip or knees but may affect the spine and hands as well. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that normally covers and cushions the ends of the bones breakdown due to age or excessive wear and tear. As bone rubs against bone, the joint loses shape and alignment; the ends of the bone thicken and form bony growths called spurs; and bits of cartilage or bone can float within the joint space. The result is, stiff, aching swollen joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease attacking the cartilage in its own joints, predominantly in hands, wrists and feet. In many cases it leads to severe pain, stiffness, swelling, joint damage and loss of function of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis has its origin in poor nutrition.
10.14 Osteoporosis – Like high blood pressure and diabetes, this progressive bone disease too strikes silently. “Osteoporosis”, which simply means “porous bones”, is second only to cardiovascular disease as a global health problem (WHO). Your bones are alive, just like other parts of the body. Bone renews itself continuously by removing old bone cells and replacing them with new cells. If too much old bone is lost and too little new bone is formed, due primarily to calcium deficiency, bone density loss can occur and the skeleton become porous and weak. This can set the stage for osteoporosis, a degenerative disease that over time, increases the risk of breaks and fractures, worsens your already poor posture and shaves inches off your height. There are two types of bone loss: age-related bone thinning that happens slowly in men and women; and the accelerated loss of bone mineral density that occurs in women, as estrogen levels drop after menopause – 80% osteoporosis cases happen in women. For bones to grow strong and healthy, we need to eat foods that contain calcium and vitamins A, C and D. These include dairy products, especially cheese and milk; fresh fruits and vegetables; and oily fish.
Santokh Singh Parmar
Naturo-Food Therapist & Lifestyle Consultant
Mobile: +91(0) 9815922330
Websites: www.naturofoodtherapy.org & www.foodtherapy.org
Note: The above information and advice and indicative remedies are not a substitute for the advice, your doctor or naturo-food therapist may give you based on his/her knowledge of yourself.
