​Arthritis is a major problem in the United States. By conservative estimates, about 54 million adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Almost 300,000 babies and children have arthritis or a rheumatic condition. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which affects an estimated 31 million Americans. The Number of people expected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2040 is more than 78 million.

Almost two-thirds of adults in the U.S. with arthritis are of working age (18-64 years). Arthritis and other non-traumatic joint disorders are among the five most costly conditions among adults 18 and older.

Arthritis is much more common among people who have other chronic conditions.

• 49 percent of adults with heart disease have arthritis.
• 47 percent of adults with diabetes have arthritis.
• 31 percent of adults who are obese have arthritis.

Modern medicine does not understand the cause of arthritis. This is the case for most chronic diseases. At best, it offers some relief of the symptoms but cures are non-existent.

Arthritis can be understood from a naturalistic view to be a deficiency disease. It arises from either a lack of nutrition in one’s diet that weakens the joints, and/or with stressors in one’s diet and lifestyle that deplete nutrients from the body. The nutrients that are missing or depleted are the one’s the joints need to maintain health.

In consultations I recommend supplements and food that supply the body with the missing nutrients. The major nutrients that are missing or depleted in one’s diet are vitamin B3, vitamin C, vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin A, K2, D and calcium.
 
Niacin is higher in animal products. It is high in tuna, chicken breast and pork. With people cutting down on animal products or being vegetarian, the risk of a deficiency is great.
 
Vitamin C is depleted by stress from junk food or imbalanced vegetarian and low carb diets, and including lifestyle and environmental factors.
 
Vitamin B 6, D and true vitamin A is higher in animal products. Certain vegetables have carotenes that convert to A but many people can’t make the conversion. Vitamin A that is readily available is in grass fed dairy products, sardines, organ meats and free range or pastured eggs.
 
Calcium and vitamin K2 are most readily available from full fat grass fed dairy products. Low fat dairy products are missing nutrients that help the body absorb calcium.
 
People who are severely deficient need supplements in addition to food as part of a balanced whole food Full Spectrum Macrobiotic Approach to eating that includes grains, vegetables, fruits, natural animal products and more. Vegetarians can use supplements along with a traditional method of balancing the diet.
 
Balancing for vegans and vegetarians is an issue today as there are many odd ways of eating on these diets. The worst approach is eating lots of fake dairy products from nuts, strange gourmet combinations of food that weaken people’s bodies and the worst of the worst is low carb vegetarian diets. Both low carb vegetarian diets and high amounts of fake nut dairy products and desserts can wreck the metabolism causing the bones and many parts of the body to weaken.
 
Excessive muscle tension from stress can pull on and damage the joints. I teach people somatic exercises to reverse this muscle tension.
 
From the energetic view of Traditional Oriental Medicines problems with the joints point to liver and kidney energy disturbances. In addition to nutrients, I address these imbalances in consultations through herbs, exercise and acupressure.

Gut health has become popular with commercial products advertised on television and online. Doctors are talking about the importance of it even though most are late to the parade.

In macrobiotic teachings from the 70’s, gut health was known as intestinal health. Since I started teaching and counseling people about natural health in the 70’s, I’ve focused on gut health as a key to health.

New information since then explains how intestinal or gut health not only plays a role in digestion and elimination but also in immune health. A large percentage of the immune cells of the body are near the large intestines. The most likely reason for their location is to neutralize bad bacteria in the large intestines. If bad bacteria enter the body it can cause sickness.

The large intestines are home to millions of bacteria somewhere between two to six pounds. These bacteria provide important functions such as the synthesis of folic acid and valuable nutrients from foods including vitamins K and portions of the B complex. Good bacteria is thought to aid in digestion, elimination, and aspects of immunity.

When the bacteria become imbalanced, the immune system and elimination slows down. About 60 million people suffer from constipation in the U.S. This causes an imbalance in the bacteria in the colon that could lead to irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, colon cancer and other serious bowel disorders. Technically, bad bacteria in the colon is called dysbiosis. When bad bacteria over grows, it can enter the small intestines and interfere with the absorption of nutrients.

The modern diet which is low in fiber, high in sugar and poor-quality fats is a major cause of bacterial overgrowth and poor gut health.  Natural diets that also contribute to poor bowel health are diets that are low carb, raw foods diets and imbalanced vegan diets.  Each of these diets are missing nutrients that are important for the bowel.

Gut health is supported by whole grains, beans, cooked vegetables and some fruit. The fiber in these foods feed the good bacteria. Fermented foods such as non-vinegar, chemical free pickles, kvass - a fermented drink from rye or beets, miso, and yogurt can help feed the healthy bacteria.

Moderate amounts of olive oil and coconut oil are naturally anti -bacterial. Adequate protein in the diet will lead to strong muscles in the colon and digestive tract ensuring healthy peristalsis - movement through the digestive tract. Adequate proteins are gotten from natural meats such as grass-fed beef, wild fish, pastured chicken, eggs and raw cheese or good quality protein powders for vegans. Although the use of protein powders as a subsitute for natural unprocessed animal proteins will not be fully known until they are used for many decades and generations, and records of the results are studied. It is our hope that they will substitute adequately.

To keep the metabolism high, I suggest that vegans and vegetarians take certain supplements. Diets lacking any important nutrients put the body in stress and lower the metabolism slowing down the colon function.  In addition, good lifestyle practices include limiting stress, adequate sleep, regular eating and daily exercise helps keep circulation flowing for good intestinal health.

I suggest the use of probiotics when someone takes antibiotics. Yet, probiotics if taken too long can lead to an overgrowth of good bacteria that can negatively impact your health. The only probiotic that I recommend for daily use is one made from soil. It is called Bodybiotics. It supports your intestinal flora but does not create an overgrowth. You can find out more about Bodybiotics at my website.
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https://www.macrobiotic.com/health-products.html  Bodybiotics
https://www.macrobiotic.com/how-to-be-safe-on-a-vegan-diet-not-vagen.html