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Like Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an
autoimmune disease. RA causes the body to attack the synovial
membranes, which secrete the lubricating fluid in the joints.
This results in joint inflammation and the destruction of
connective tissue and cartilage surrounding the joints.
Symptoms include joint stiffness, tenderness, and swelling,
as well as fatigue, anemia, and crippling pain. Further, painful
arthritic nodes at pressure points, such as the elbows, develop.
In the final Stage IV of the disease, the patient generally
has joint defects, muscle destruction, soft tissue tumors,
and bone and cartilage degeneration, as well as ankylosis—a
joining of the joints.
Medical treatment includes rest, exercise to improve joint
function, drugs to reduce pain and inflammation, surgery to
prevent or correct defects, and a nutritional diet. Steroids
are given with caution because of their known side effects.
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the tissue type most
frequently found in patients is HL-DR4. The bacteria that
most closely matches the characteristics of HL-DR4 is Proteus,
a common cause of urinary tract infections. Interestingly
enough, women—who have a much higher rate of urinary
tract infections than men—also suffer from rheumatoid
arthritis twice as often as men.
Once Proteus was identified as close in characteristic to
HL-DR4 tissue types, it was a simple matter of testing Dr.
Alan Ebringer’s theory, which states the body’s
immune system could make a mistake in its efforts to get rid
of an undesirable bacteria, and be fooled into attacking its
own tissues instead. When levels of Proteus antibodies found
in the blood of people with rheumatoid arthritis were compared
with those of healthy people, the antibodies were discovered
to be much higher.
When strong armies of beneficial bacteria are on guard to
control the overgrowth of Proteus, many symptoms of rheumatoid
arthritis can be eliminated.
RECOMMENDED PROBIOTIC REGIMEN
In addition to the following Probiotic regimen, those with
rheumatoid arthritis may consider taking 1 tablespoon of emulsified
cod liver oil, which helps to minimize pain.
Take 2 capsules each of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum (or 1 teaspoon each powder) along with 1/2 teaspoon L. bulgaricus powder mixed in 6 to 8 ounces unchilled
filtered water, three times daily.
In addition to or instead of the above regimen, for increased
strength, take 1 combination capsule that contains all three
super strains in an oil-matrix carrier, one to three times
daily.
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