Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

omplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine as “a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.” Some patients who use CAM therapies are dissatisfied with conventional medical treatments. Others find that CAM appeals to their values and beliefs about health and life. Being diagnosed with RA and living with the disease can be a frightening, exhausting, and demanding experience. CAM appeals to many people because these treatments appear to offer a chance to feel better and to decrease uncomfortable symptoms such as pain and fatigue. They are not meant to replace conventional rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, but may help to alleviate side effects or to improve a patient health and changing his life style. CAM modalities into five categories: Alternative medical systems, mind-body interventions, biologically based treatments, manipulative and body-based methods, and energy therapies.We concentrated more in dietary therapy, herbal therapy and homeopathic remedies that are useful for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Diet may play role in the management of RA, particularly in alleviating the symptoms of the disease, combating the side-effects of therapy and reducing the risk of complications. Healthy food and avoiding bad habits as smoking and drinking alcohol play an important role in decrease inflammation and improve health state of the patients. For example, in recent years there was a focus on the importance of the immune-modulatory effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their therapeutic potential as anti-inflammatory agents. It was found that manipulating the balance of dietary fatty acids in favor of increased omega-3fatty acids and decreased omega-6 fatty acids may have a beneficial effect on disease activity in Rheumatoid arthritis. For example Olive oil has been shown to reduce lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity, adhesion molecule expression on lymphocytes and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recommended fresh fruits and vegetables contain important anti-inflammatory and antioxidants vitamins, minerals as well as fibers and flavonoids. The fibers found in fruits and vegetables can help restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, thereby reducing the general inflammation in the body, on other hand nightshades vegetables and citrus