Get this! Discovered Height Genes Could Lead to New Treatments for Arthritis & Cancer

We all have height genes, which are 90% responsible for determining our height as an adult (the other 10% can be affected by external factors such as diet). Research has suggested that these genes explain a whole range of important biological processes. This research has identified 20 sections of genetic code linked to height and this discovery may also lead to new treatments for arthritis and cancer.

Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School, Exeter in the UK, explain that their findings have given insight into how the body grows and could also explain how conditions such as osteoarthritis and cancers develop.

The discovery of the "height gene" was made last year after examining DNA samples from more than 30,000 people across Europe. It identified the regions of code which make a difference of up to six centimetres in height.

Hopefully such findings will eventually lead to new treatments for diseases such as arthritis and cancer which affect so many around the world.
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Vegan diet appears to ease arthritis

Swedish researchers have announced that a gluten-free vegan diet full of nuts, sunflower seeds, fruit and vegetables seems to offer protection against heart attacks and strokes for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The vegan diet appeared to lower cholesterol and also have an affect on the immune system, easing some of the symptoms associated with the rheumatoid arthritis - a painful joint condition.

The team from Sweden's Karolinska Institute suggested that diet could assist patients with rheumatoid arthritis as they are often more prone to heart attacks, strokes and clogged arteries.

A report in the Arthritis Research and Therapy journal stated: "These findings are compatible with previous results of vegetarian/vegan dietary regimens in non-rheumatoid arthritis subjects which have shown lower blood pressure, lower body mass index and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease."

Interesting news. It seems that diet is playing more and more of an important role in relief of many ailments. Perhaps it's time we all took notice and started changing our diet.

"Risk Of Heart Attacks And Strokes Reduced By Arthritis Medications"

Good news this week as researchers found that "patients prescribed drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis could be at a reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes", according to a study published in the open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy.

"An international team of researchers led by Antonio Naranjo of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and colleagues in Argentina, Europe, and the USA have analyzed data from the QUEST-RA (Quantitative Patient Questionnaires in Standard Monitoring of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis) study. From this study, including 4,363 patients from 48 sites in 15 countries, the team has examined the causes and effects of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the potential benefits of medications."

Rheumatoid arthritis is a known risk factor for hardening of the arteries and so can lead to stroke and heart attacks occurring in sufferers ten years earlier than in people without the condition. Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/99670.php

For more arthritis news and helpful tips, check out the arthritis information directory at the side of the page.

Amazing Arthritis Treatment Discovery

The Arthritis Foundation has listed an amazing scientific discovery as one of the top 10 advances of 2007.

Some engineers have recently created a new framework upon which cartilage tissue can be grown. The scaffold is porous, so the 'fabric' type framework can be seeded with cells and transplanted into a joint damaged by arthritis.

The woven 'fabric' will be absorbed by the body, leaving only healthy, strong cartilage for those who suffer from osteoarthritis or other cartilage injuries.

Amazing! There are more discoveries all the time on treatments for arthritis. I hope this information can help you. Refer to the directories under 'more arthritis links' for more research, discoveries and how to help yourself.

Information Source: http://www.hsconnect.com/Community/articles.asp?articleID=22349

Link Between Depression and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Here is an excerpt from an article I read this week regarding rheumatoid arthritis patients. If it raises an issue for you, I urge you please to speak to a doctor. Depression can be hard on not only the patient but their families, friends and workmates. Doctors can help in a variety of ways, it doesn't necessarily mean just more medication.

Check out this article. For similar articles, refer to the arthritis information directory under 'More Arthritis Links' at the side of the page.

Article source: http://www.physorg.com/news121087729.html
"Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common chronic inflammatory arthritis, are twice as likely as other individuals to experience depression. Although depression in primary care has been well studied, no studies have examined whether rheumatologists and RA patients discuss depression during medical visits."

Healthy diet can ease pain of arthritis

If you have arthritis you may wonder what types of food you should be eating. Here is an answer I found to this question which I thought was very helpful, I hope you find it helpful too. For similar articles, check out the Arthritis Directory under 'My Favorite Links'.

Source:http://www.masslive.com/news/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-3/120159524054430.xml&coll=1

It depends on the type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic auto-immune disease where the immune system attacks the body's joints, causing inflammation and pain in joints and, possibly, neighboring organs. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is a degenerative disease where cartilage within joints breaks down over time, resulting in pain.

Regardless of which form of arthritis you have, you will benefit from following a healthful meal plan. This includes eating a variety of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, heart-healthy nuts and seeds, fish, low-fat calcium-rich dairy foods (milk, yogurt, and cheese), and lean protein (beans, tofu, poultry and fish), as well as a limited amount of added sugars (found in sweets and processed foods), saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.

Some Arthritis Facts

Did you know that there are actually over 100 types of arthritis.

The most common of course are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. There is currently no cure for either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, but there are a variety of successful treatments for both.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by degeneration of the cartilage (slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint), eventually leading to pain and joint stiffness. Since the cartilage itself has no nerve endings, the process often begins before affected individuals realize it.

Once the cartilage begins wearing away the bones underneath begin to rub together which causes a great deal of discomfort. Onset of the disease is gradual and usually begins after age 40.

For more facts and information like this, check out the "Health Directory" under "My Favourite Links".