Spondyloarthritis
The term spondyloarthritis (also known as spondyloarthropathy) covers a group of closely related inflammatory diseases including arthritis of the spine (sacroilitis or spondylitis) and peripheral joints; and inflammation in the area where ligaments and tendons attach to bones (enthesitis or enthesopathy). These diseases can cause pain in the spine, legs and arms as joints, ligaments and tendons become inflamed and/or predispose patients to spinal vertebral fractures. Skin rashes, eye and intestinal problems can also occur.
Diseases that fall under spondyloarthritis umbrella include: (1) ankylosing spondylitis (2) reactive arthritis (known previously as Reiter’s syndrome ) (3) psoriatic arthritis and psoriatic spondylitis, and 4) the arthritis or spondylitis associated with the inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Still other patients may develop undifferentiated spondyloarthritis. This means they have symptoms or signs of one of the illnesses above, but do not develop the full blown disease.
The exact cause of spondyloarthritis is unknown. Researchers point to hereditary factors as playing an important role since these illnesses tend to occur more often in family members of patients who have spondyloarthritis. Other infections, such as chlamydia (which can cause urethritis or burning on urination) and bacteria that cause intestinal dysentery (such as types of salmonella, shigella, etc.), can trigger a certain type of reactive arthritis that is a form of spondyloarthritis. Beyond these, no specific infection has been linked to other types of the disease.
Role of Noni
A vegan and fat free diet is advisable to spondyloarthritis patients. Meat and dairy products contain arachidonic acid, a fatty acid which contributes to inflammation experienced in rheumatism and arthritis because it is converted into inflammatory prostaglandin and leukotrienes.
The essential fatty acids that Noni contains act like an anti-inflammatory agent and help the patients suffering from spondyloarthritis. Noni contains high in vitamin C and it maintains healthy connective tissues. Noni is rich in many micronutrients and phytochemicals that nourishes and restores the cartilage. Abnormal bowel function is one of the “triggers” that causes rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Noni improves the condition of gastrointestinal system, maintains an optimum balance of all digestive enzymes and keeps the bacterial flora intact and thus it relieves the symptoms of spondyloarthritis in a better way as to maintain a healthy bowel and digestive system.
Vitamin E is now recognized as an important nutrient in arthritic disorders helping reduce inflammation in the tissues. One research paper found that Noni may be beneficial for patients suffering from spondyloarthritis by reducing inflammatory process. Noni is rich in antioxidant vitamin E.
Xeronine present in Noni also modifies or corrects the damage of fibrous layers of the vertebral disc made up of collagen fibers. The fibrosus layers of the disc are composed of collagen fibers. Collagen fibers act as main role in cushioning role of disc in vertebra to external pressure load and also offer great resistance to any pulling force. Collagen fibers are fairly simple proteins and are made up of chains of amino acids. Amino acids are delivered from circulation to the cell called fibrocytes that manufacture collagen. The three important amino acids required for formation of collagen fibres are glycine, hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine that present in Noni. Besides that Noni contains 17 amino acids out of total 20 amino acids with all essential amino acids.
COX Enzyme and Noni : Pain, redness, heat and swelling which are the markers of inflammation, follow release of prostaglandins. Aspirin and similar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) reduce prostaglandins by blocking an enzyme which helps to produce them, called cyclooxygenase (COX). There are two COX enzymes in the body; COX-1 and COX-2. Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) is an enzyme that is normally present in a variety of areas of the body, including sites of inflammation and the stomach. The COX-1 enzyme of the stomach produces the chemical messengers (called prostaglandins) that ensure the natural mucus lining, which protects the inner stomach.
Another enzyme, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), also produces these chemical messenger molecules, but the COX-2 enzyme is located specifically in areas of the body that are responsible for inflammation and not in the stomach.
Common anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin or ibuprofen, block the function of COX-1 enzyme along with COX-2 . With these traditional anti-inflammatory drugs, inflammation is reduced by blocking Cox-2, but the protective mucus lining of the stomach is also reduced, because Cox-1 is blocked, which can cause stomach upset, ulceration, and bleeding from stomach and intestines. When the COX-2 enzyme is blocked, inflammation is reduced since the COX-2 enzyme does not play a role in the normal function of the stomach.
Any drug or pain relieving medication if blocking COX – 2 only, then it will be beneficial both for pain relieving and keeping stomach inner lining healthy too.
Noni is a selective COX-2 inhibitor. It reduces the pain of arthritis and ankylosing spondilitis to a great extent with keeping stomach lining healthy.
Scopoletin in Noni in spondyloarthritis : Another reason for Noni’s pain fighting qualities may stem from several of its constituents. Noni contains Scopoletin, which has anti inflammatory effects. Scopoletin is needed in the body for smooth joint movement. It also produces anti-histamine effects. A laboratory in France conducted a study that showed mice, given a liquid form of Noni, increased pain tolerance as reflected by their reaction time to a hot plate. The researchers concluded that Noni helped the mice better deal with the pain from the hot plate.
Recommended Dosage
Divine Noni Concentrate
5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then
10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then
15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.
