Ankylosing spondylitis

Positive emotion – a new anti-inflammatory?

positive emotion anti-inflammatory cytokinePositive emotions are linked to lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (the proteins that signal the immune system to work harder) in research published in the journal Emotion.
It has long been established that a healthy diet, exercise and sleep bolster the body’s defences against physical and mental illnesses. But the new findings suggest that positive emotions can be added to the list. Continue reading

Deadly nightshade foods and arthritis: urgent need for research based on strong anecdotal evidence

potato  jamonationtomatoaubergine  Alice HennemanRed pepper

potatoes – tomatoes –  aubergines – peppers – goji berries

• People with arthritis used to be told to eat less foods from the deadly nightshade family as a way of reducing symptoms.
• In recent years this thinking has been widely dispelled as a myth.
• There is no scientific evidence that suggests that foods from the deadly nightshade family exacerbate arthritis symptoms. But equally, there is no research concluding that they don’t.
• Bearing in mind the wealth of anecdotal evidence from people with arthritis that eliminating all (or particular) nightshade foods from their diet has made a fundamental difference to their symptoms, it is somewhat surprising that no studies have been done in the area.
• It could be that some people have individual reactions to particular foods and do see an improvement in their symptoms if they eliminate them. Perhaps some of us have genes that make us more susceptible to the effects of solanine, or another component of deadly nightshade plants. Why wouldn’t experts put deadly nightshade plants to the test in light of all the anecdotal evidence in the area? Continue reading

Brighton Marathon beckons. Iona Walton from Arthritis Digest magazine fundraises for leading arthritis charity

wedding 1I’ve taken the plunge… and signed up to run the Brighton Marathon this April. And it’s all thanks to you, the community we’ve created via our website, facebook and twitter.
I’ve been editing Arthritis Digest magazine for over two years and now realise the devastating impact that arthritis and similar conditions can have on every aspect of life for some people. Continue reading