Case Study #3

Herbalist's Comments and Suggestions for:
68 Year old woman with Arthritis, Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Problems

Herbalist’s Comments and Suggestions:
Decrease or Eliminate intake of coffee, as coffee tends to rob the body of water and minerals.

Decrease use of Tea, Sugar, Refined Carbohydrates, Salt, Saturated Fats, Stimulants, and Meat consumption which are strongly associated with arthritic problems.

Eat smaller meals and snacks every three hours; follow the food pyramid, slow release Carbohydrates and protein will ensure a balance in blood sugar. This also increases metabolism.
Add these foods to your diet for health: Whole grains, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Nuts and Seeds, Legumes, Garlic and Onions. These foods are naturally anti-inflammatory.

Also add Salmon and Tuna which are heart healthy foods, rich in folic acid, B12, and essential fatty acids.

Avoid foods that may interfere with your medications: Grapefruit Juice (Cozaar)

Other Suggestions: Try a “diet diary” record the foods that you eat and how you feel after. Record if you experience any symptoms associated with arthritis, try eliminating foods associated with symptoms as it is possible that an allergy exists.

Recommended Herbs & Nutrients:
Multivitamin and Multimineral containing at least 300 mg Magnesium, 500 mg each Vitamin B3, B5, 20mg Zinc. Vitamins and minerals should be taken 15 mins. before or after a meal.

Chromium picolinate 200mcg, support of proper blood sugar levels.

Antioxidant complex, antioxidants are essential nutrients that prevent “free radicals” from damaging cellular tissue. A deficiency is probable in symptoms of arthritis.

Vitamin C 1000mg, Twice Daily. Vitamin C is a natural anti-inflammatory, immune system booster, and antioxidant.

CoQ10 50-100mg, an antioxidant that may have cardioprotective, cytoprotective and neuroprotective activities.

Grape Seed Extract 100mg, In addition to antioxidant activity, Grape Seed Extract may also have anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and anti-atherogenic activities

GLA 150-300mg, Gamma-linolenic acid or GLA is an n-6 (omega-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid it has anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic actions. It may also have lipid-lowering activity.

Topical Cream containing Boswellia or Capsicum

Single Herbs: Devils Claw, Yucca, Boswellia, For Preparations &Dosages See “Supplement Information”

Other Suggestions: Have your physician check your mineral levels, Monitor Blood Pressure, Lipid Checks at least every 5 years, Consultation with a Nutritionist or read The Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford. Supplement information is provided for reference, source: Physicians Desk Reference online http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/index.html .

Lifestyle Modification Changes:

It’s never too late to learn something new!Local parks and community services offer many classes for seniors, at low or no cost. Take a class, join a club, or develop a hobby to enrich your life, ease boredom and stress, and make new friends.

Suggested Class :
Write Your Life Story!You don’t have to be a professional to write your own life story! Classes are available to guide you and give you handouts to stimulate your memory so you may write episodes from your life that will be treasured by your children and grandchildren. You’ve got great stories to tell!

Relaxation Techniques and Exercise:
Light exercise will increase mobility, and make the joints more limber.

Try a low impact, low stress exercise for at least 15 minutes, 2-3 times per week gradually work up to 20-30 minutes 2-3 times per week.

Suggested low impact exercises: walking, swimming, Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a martial art that is both for exercise and meditation, highly suggested as a form of exercise and relaxation.

Regular Massage will aid in the elimination of toxins from the body, circulation, and relaxation.

Other:
Massage Referral

Arthroswim:
Warm water exercises specifically designed for people with arthritis to increase mobility and well-being.

Tai Chi Chuan for Seniors:
BeginningT'ai Chi Ch'uan's basic training forms are well known as the slow motion routines that groups of people practice every morning in hundreds of parks across China and other parts of the world. The slow, repetitive work involved in that process is said to gently increase and open the internal circulation. For Health and meditation.

This consultation was based on a detailed health history, not revealed in this blog. Always consult your health care professional before you begin any treatment.