Arthritis
One of the most common diseases on Earth and one that affects millions of adults and children is arthritis, which is inflammation of a bone or joint that can occur for a number of reasons, the most common of which is Osteoarthritis. This is caused by the degeneration of the cartilage that covers the ends of bones.
This degeneration or loss of cartilage allows the bones to rub together with no lubrication causing inflammation and pain. In Rheumatoid arthritis, which is more common in women, it is the body’s immune system that attacks the joint linings, frequently in the fingers, causing severe inflammation, pain and swelling of the joints. Spondylosis, another form of arthritis, occurs when the bones of the spine grow together. In all of these and other forms of arthritis the inflammation can cause severe pain.
In normal cases inflammation is fought in the body by an enzyme called superoxide dismutase, often shortened to SOD. This is a natural enzyme that is produced by the body in response to inflammation. However, in severe cases of arthritis there is simply not enough of this enzyme to counter the inflammatory pain, and this is usually where one has to resort to painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Clinical tests carried out in China have shown that where a sufferer takes a daily dose of between 10 and 30 grams of Goji berries, the body’s production of SOD is increased by some 40%, thus increasing the body’s ability to counter inflammatory pain caused by arthritis.
Goji berries do not only help control arthritis, but are also extremely good as treatment for cancer, cholesterol levels, balancing the immune system, normalising blood pressure, Glaucoma, senility and Alzheimer’s disease.
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