Well over 100 diseases are as a result of inflammation in the connective tissues or degeneration of these tissues, such as:
It can be caused by a combination of everything.
Atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes are increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), all of which are caused by oxidative stress. What is oxidative stress?
As always, our diet plays a major part and sugar is the main culprit as it causes glycation. The following foods should be avoided as much as possible:
These convert to glycation. Glycation takes place when a glucose molecule binds to a protein or lipid molecule without the control of an enzyme. With the molecule now impaired, it leads to advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) which then results in inflammatory diseases.
Physical or mental stress can also cause oxidation. Markers for inflammatory diseases are:
Markers need to be tested for all of these.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of the world’s population, mainly found in women who have 3 times the likelihood of getting it than men. It usually occurs between the ages of 20 – 60, but it can also occur at any age.
Peri-Menopause usually brings on the onset, between the ages of 40 – 50. With it the typical estrogen excess symptoms occur:
There is a predominance of the inflammatory Th1 cytokines over the anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokines in arthritis. Progesterone stimulates the Th2 cytokines, so pregnancy improves symptoms in 75% of cases. This is because progesterone levels rise greatly during pregnancy, particularly in the 3rd trimester which is when symptoms in lupus patients stop. The remaining 25% have low progesterone levels. It has been proven that 90% of cases relapse within 6 months after giving birth, and highest within the first 3 months. Progesterone levels fall sharply after birth.
Prolactin, the hormone controlling milk production, rises after birth. Prolactin stimulates the immune response and is elevated in both male and female RA patients. Progesterone suppresses prolactin production.
Studies have found that there is a progesterone deficiency in females with thyroid and ovarian autoimmune diseases. Studies also found that both progesterone and androgens were significantly lower during the luteal phase in RA patients. A rare case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurred in a transgender man who was given estrogen (feminising hormones).
Progesterone is neuroprotective; it helps to prevent lipid peroxidation and confers vascular protection. The endogenous steroid cortisol and the commonly prescribed glucocorticoid prednisolone, will increase cholesteryl ester (CE) formation which leads to atherosclerosis, progesterone will block the increase. Estradiol (E2) proved to be ineffective. Progesterone being an excellent anti-inflammatory reduced the response of natural killer cells, the TH1 response, as well as other known initiators of inflammation. Progesterone suppresses estrogen, which is an excitatory hormone which is known to cause inflammation. It stimulates the production of IL-4 and IL-10, anti-inflammatory agents. Tumour necrosis factor-alph is an inflammatory cytokine involved in the acute phase reaction in arthritis. Progesterone decreases both intracellular and secreted TNF-alpha. Estrogen has no effect.
Oxidative Stress is behind all types of inflammation due to low levels of anti-oxidants which should be increased. Vitamin D3 and the amino acid N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) are most important. NAC chelates any excess copper and other environment toxins. Selenium is also very important as it is part of the glutathione molecule. The other two important amino acid precursors are glycine and glutamine which are both found in our food, NAC is not. If stressed, glutamine becomes a conditionally essential amino acid and supplementing is important.
Progesterone is excellent for any kind of emotional stress as it is a calming hormone and activates the GABA receptor sites. GABA can be difficult to use as too much will cause symptoms to return. Therefore supplementing with progesterone is far easier.
Taurine is another calming neurotransmitters, it is a powerful sulphur amino acid like cysteine (NAC) and is vital for the immune system. Without Taurine, fats will accumulate in the blood.
One should also test for Insulin Resistance, if present, it should be addressed.
If a high homocysteine level is found the following vitamins should be taken:
As you know, Vitamin D3 is essential for better health, it is connected to every single functioning cell in our body. Testing should be done for 25-hydroxyvitamin D, also called calcidiol. 30-50% of people have a deficiency, particularly those living in:
A deficiency is less than 25ng/L or 62.4nmol/L. Please read the vitamin D3 page for more information.
The amount of progesterone to be used depends on the individual and how severe the problem is. Women should use between 100-200mg daily and men should use between 10-100mg daily. If symptoms are severe, more may be needed. Rubbing progesterone cream on the affected areas brings great relief to many sufferers.
Please remember to read the How to use Progesterone Cream and Estrogen Dominance pages.
The following plants contain powerful anti-oxidants:
They all contain ellagic acid, raspberries providing the greatest amount.
Broccoli, cabbage, watercress etc should be eaten in moderation and avoid eating them raw as they are goitrogens and contain an enzyme that suppresses the thyroid gland. Turmeric contains curcumin which has been found to stop pre-cancerous changes in the DNA.
Many plants contain flavonoids, particularly berries and buckwheat, which remove metal toxins and also protect the anti-oxidant vitamins.
Fermented Foods are excellent for inflammation. They are potent chelators (detoxifiers) and contain much higher levels of probiotics than probiotic supplements, making them ideal for optimizing your gut flora. OTC probiotics simply do NOT compare. In addition to helping break down and eliminate heavy metals and other toxins from your body, beneficial gut bacteria, they perform a number of surprising functions.
Disclaimer: Although this web site is not intended to be prescriptive, it is intended, and hoped, that it will induce in you a sufficient level of scepticism about some health care practices to impel you to seek out medical advice that is not captive to purely commercial interests, or blinded by academic and institutional hubris. You are encouraged to refer any health problem to a health care practitioner and, in reference to any information contained in this web site, preferably one with specific knowledge of progesterone therapy.
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