Ganoderma lucidum and Arthritis

Ganoderma lucidum and Arthritis

"Discover How Ganoderma lucidum May Help With Arthritis"

Arthritis is not a modern ailment.

Paleontologists have discovered this disease in the bones of dinosaurs, it's been around for a long time. (Too bad the dinosaurs didn't know about Reishi.)

It afflicts one in six Canadians and one in every three Americans over the age of 15. This statistic makes it one of the most prevalent diseases in North America and with an aging population these numbers are sure to grow.

There are many different types of arthritis but we will only be discussing the two most common forms:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis and Ganoderma lucidum

"Learn About Osteoarthritis And Discover How
Ganoderma lucidum May Be Able To Help"

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that involves the gradual deterioration of the tough elastic cartilage that protects the end of bones.

As the cartilage wears away, it often causes pain and swelling in the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments. These tissues must then work in ways they are not accustomed to in order to compensate for the worn out cartilage.

If the cartilage continues to break down. The ends of the bones may actually start to rub together contributing to pain, swelling and inflammation.

What Are Some Of The Warning Signs and Symptoms?

The symptoms of Osteoarthritis usually come on very slowly over a period of many years.

At first there is only mild stiffness, a little pain but no inflammation but over time pain and stiffness increase and the joint starts to become inflamed.

You may hear a rubbing or grating noise when moving a joint and this may signal cartilage wear.

You may notice bumps and swelling around the affected joint, especially the feet and hands. Joint mobility is lessened.

What Is Thought to Cause Osteoarthritis?

An interesting thing is that no one knows for sure what causes this disease but many researchers believe: Heredity, Being Overweight, Injury to a joint, or other Types of Arthritis may be contributing factors to developing osteoarthritis.

So What Can You Do?

The first line of treatment for osteoarthritis usually includes acetaminophen (helps with pain but no anti-inflammatory effect) or NSAID's (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ASA and ibuprofen.

For severe pain and inflammation steroids like cortisone and corticosteroids may be injected into an effected joint to provide immediate relief.

There can be some drawbacks to the above treatments.

An overdose or prolonged use of acetaminophen can cause damage to your liver. There is also mounting evidence that aspirin and NSAID's are absorbed into damaged joints.

By being absorbed into the joint. NSAIS's may cause further joint damage by deactivating enzymes that help make chondroitin (a cartilage component) thus restricting the body in repairing and maintaining its cartilage.

Anti-inflammatory steroids may cause chondroitin producing cells to die at five times their normal rate, thus further weakening cartilage. Steroids may also remove minerals from bone causing bone weakness which further weakens the joint.

How Ganoderma lucidum May Help

Reishi's analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties may make it a good candidate to help with osteoarthritis.

In regards to pain management. There is some evidence that Reishi can reduce pain.

The pain reducing components in Ganoderma lucidium appear to be ganoderic acids A,B,G,H and compound C6 as identified in the experiment Antinociceptive components of Ganoderma lucidum.

Also a case study entitled the Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on Postherpetic Neuralgia stated that "Ganoderma lucidum decreased pain dramatically..."

The adenosine and organic germaniun components of Ganoderma also have pain reducing, analgesic, and muscle relaxing properties.

Reishi also possesses anti-inflammatory properties in which the highly oxygenated anti-inflammatory triterpenes seem responsible for this effect.

To protect cells from oxidative damage and premature aging, the antioxidant components: Polysaccharides and Organic Germanium, Phenols ganoderic acid A,B,C,D
Lucidenic Acid B, Ganodermanontriol of Reishi can help accomplish this.

Some More Things That May Help

Nutritional supplements

There are many nutrients that may help osteoarthritis: Vitamin C because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Vitamins A,B,B6,E and niacinamide (may improve joint function) to help arthritis.

Other dietary supplements that may help are: Boron, helps to keep bones healthy by helping them absorb calcium, SOD (super oxide dismutase) is an antioxidant that may help protect joint fluid, Zinc, needed for bone growth and immune function, Vitamin D is needed for bone formation, Copper helps to strengthen connective tissue, Selenium is a powerful antioxidant, Calcium and Magnesium help build and maintain healthy bones
Exercise

This can be very beneficial in helping your osteoarthritis.

Not only will exercise help you maintain a healthy weight so you are not putting undue stress on your joints. It will also help to strengthen surrounding tissues of an effected joint. It will also help to reduce pain by keeping joints loose and help in preventing joint deformation.

You should choose regular activities that do not put stress on the joint but rather strengthen the surrounding tissue.

Low impact activities like riding a bike, walking, swimming and yoga are all good choices. Try and avoid impact and weight bearing activities.

Heat and Cold

Heat helps to reduce pain and stiffness and increases circulation by relaxing muscles. That is why a soak in a warm bath or hot tub feels so good.

Cold helps numb pain by constricting blood vessels and blocking nerve impulses. It also helps to keep swelling down. Make sure you NEVER place an ice pack directly on the skin, always wrap it in a cloth or towel first.

Relax or Meditate

There are many ways to relax to reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Try deep breathing.

You can also learn to meditate to relax.

By developing good relaxation skills you can develop a greater feeling of control over osteoarthritis and a healthier more positive outlook on life as a whole.

Rheumatoid arthritis

"Learn About Rheumatoid Arthritis and What You and Ganoderma May Be Able To Do"

Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the body incorrectly identifies the synovial membrane (lining of the joints) as foreign and attacks it.

This causes pain, inflammation, loss of joint function, long term joint damage, and disability.

Unlike osteoarthritis which affects individual joints. This type of arthritis affects all the body's synovial joints.

In this article we will learn more about Rheumatoid arthritis and how Reishi may help.

Causes

All though the exact cause is unknown. Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the body incorrectly identifies the synovial membrane of the joints as foreign.

1) This causes the body to produce antibodies that bind to the synovial membrane and fluid to identify it to the T cells as foreign.
2) When this happens, the immune system attacks the cells in the joint causing swelling, inflammation and pain.
3) Then there is a growth spurt of pannus cells that thicken the synovium.
4) Lastly, the inflammation causes the release of enzymes that "eat away" at the surrounding bone and cartilage. The body then replaces this lost tissue with scar tissue which often causes the joint to lose shape and proper alignment. This then causes more pain, swelling and loss of movement.

Symptoms

Some common symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis are: Fatigue, Stiffness, Swelling, Low Fever, Muscle and Joint Pain, Lumps under the skin, Loss of Appetite, Anemia, Weight Loss, Joint Deformity.

So How May Ganoderma lucidum Help?

Reishi is known as an immunomodulator.

This means Ganoderma lucidum tends to balance an immune system. Boosting a sluggish immune system and suppressing an overactive one.

The immune system consists of many different cells. But it is thought that the balance between the two kinds of T cells (helpers and suppressors) is the key to a healthy immune system.
1) If the helpers are suppressed the immune system is not strong and can not mount much of an immune response.
2) If the suppressor cells are lacking. The immune system goes out of control and attacks everything.

As you can see there needs to be a balance between the two.

A large numbers of studies have shown that Reishi can modulate many components of the immune system.

Ling Zhi-8, a protein found in the mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum has been shown to be a potent T cell activator and immunosuppressive. Thus it may be able to help activate suppressor T cells, calming an overactive immune system and regulate antibody production.

Other components of Ganoderma that may help modulate the immune system are the triterpenes and organic germanium.

There are other properties of Reishi that may be of some benefit to those suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis.

Reishi's analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties also may make it a good candidate to help with Rheumatoid arthritis.

In regards to pain management. There is some evidence that Reishi can reduce pain.

The pain reducing components in Ganoderma lucidium appear to be ganoderic acids A,B,G,H and compound C6 as identified in the experiment Antinociceptive components of Ganoderma lucidum.

Also a case study entitled the Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on Postherpetic Neuralgia stated that "Ganoderma lucidum decreased pain dramatically..."

The adenosine and organic germanium components of Ganoderma also have pain reducing, analgesic, and muscle relaxing properties.

Reishi also possesses anti-inflammatory properties in which the highly oxygenated anti-inflammatory triterpenes seem responsible for this effect.

To protect cells from oxidative damage and premature aging, the antioxidant components:
1) polysaccharides and organic germanium
2) phenols ganoderic acid A,B,C,D
3) lucidenic acid B
4) ganodermanontriol
of Reishi may help accomplish this.

Some More Things That May Help With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nutritional supplements. There are many nutrients that may also help: Vitamin C because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Vitamins A,B,B6,E and niacinamide (may improve joint function)

Other dietary supplements that may help are: Boron, helps to keep bones healthy by helping them absorb calcium, SOD (super oxide dismutase) is an antioxidant that may help protect joint fluid, Zinc, needed for bone growth and immune function, Vitamin D is needed for bone formation, Copper helps to strengthen connective tissue, Selenium is a powerful antioxidant, Calcium and Magnesium help build and maintain healthy bones.

Exercise

This can be very beneficial in helping your arthritis.

Not only will exercise help you maintain a healthy weight so you are not putting undue stress on your joints. It will also help to strengthen surrounding tissues of an effected joint. It will also help to reduce pain by keeping joints loose and help in preventing joint deformation.

You should choose regular activities that do not put stress on the joint but rather strengthen the surrounding tissue.

Low impact activities like riding a bike, walking, swimming and yoga are all good choices. Try and avoid impact and heavy weight bearing activities.

Heat and Cold

Heat helps to reduce pain and stiffness and increases circulation by relaxing muscles. That is why a soak in a warm bath or hot tub feels so good.

Cold helps numb pain by constricting blood vessels and blocking nerve impulses. It also helps to keep swelling down. Make sure you NEVER place an ice pack directly on the skin, always wrap it in a cloth or towel first.

Relax or Meditate

There are many ways to relax to reduce the pain associated with Rheumatoid arthritis.

Try deep breathing.

You can also learn to meditate to relax.

By developing good relaxation skills you can develop a greater feeling of control over Rheumatoid arthritis and a healthier more positive outlook on life as a whole.

and how Ganoderma's analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulating properties may help with this disease.

So let's discover how Ganoderma lucidum or Reishi may be able to help.