Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory response within the body, which primarily affects joints, but can also affect organs and tissues. This inflammatory response can destroy the cartilage in joints. It is considered to be an autoimmune disease, which occurs when the immune system becomes overactive, and mistakenly starts attacking the bodies’ cells.
Women are more susceptible to RA than men, by a factor of about three, and this disease seems to occur most frequently between the ages of forty and fifty, although there are cases where it occurs at much younger ages.
Normal physical activity and mobility can be severely curtailed, with severe pain being experienced by sufferers too. Anti-inflammatory drugs as well as painkillers and cortisone based medications are the general approach to dealing with this health challenge.
As Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) are required by every cell in your entire body, and also make eicosanoids, tiny messengers that regulate a multitude of functions within the body, including the body’s immune and inflammatory response, they can be extremely helpful in managing this disease. If they don’t form part of your diet, you will be deficient in them, and your immune system will be unable to function optimally, which could lead to an autoimmune disease, like RA, or make it worse. EFA’s are natural anti-inflammatories and immune enhancing nutrients.
Furthermore, EFA’s should form part of the synovial fluid, a lubricating liquid that bathes the cartilage and tissues in the joint. Synovial fluid acts like a shock absorber and cushions joints, protecting them from damage.
Unfortunately, many people are under the impression that the Omega 3′s are the only Essential Fats required to help with the immune and inflammatory responses in the body, and therefore consume only flax or fish oils. The Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acid, Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), found in our oil blend, in an undamaged form, has also been found to be effective in helping RA sufferers, and works with the Omega 3′s in our blend to enhance immune health and restore inflammatory balance.
People who suffer from this disease may have to consume more than the recommended dosage to start with, to help their immune system start functioning normally again.