Erroneuous Theories

6. Erroneuous Theories

As stated earlier, most physicians categorize arthritis into one of five major groups:

1. Infectious cases caused by a specific microorganism.
2. Cases that are possibly infectious but of unproved etiology.
3. Cases representing degenerative forms of joint disease (sometimes termed arthroses).
4. Cases in which the arthritis results from direct trauma to the joint (e.g., chondromalacia).
5. Cases of metabolic arthritis (e.g., gout).

The first two groups are based on the germ theory of disease. Although bacteria is associated with different diseases, they do not cause that disease. All disease is a vital effort on the part of the organism to heal. It is a bodily response undertaken in order to correct conditions that are harmful. When toxicosis exists and threatens the well-being of the organism, the body responds by eliminating those toxins and the symptoms of disease are felt. Bacteria are present to “clean up” decaying tissues, cells, toxins, etc., and are a useful part of this healing process. Arthritis is not a condition that is inflicted upon people in an indiscriminate manner by bacteria or viruses. It is a condition that has developed within the body due to unhealthful living practices.

The third group consists of degenerative forms of joint diseases that would include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. When you persist in unhealthful living habits and suppress symptoms of disease with drugs or other means, degenerative diseases result. According to your particular diathesis, you may develop arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, etc. Even though the various types of arthritis are different, the cause remains the same for all forms. Accumulation of toxins irritates and weakens the membranes and tissues in the joint. Irritants or toxic substances degenerate cartilage. Then the body deposits, through a process of ossification, mineral salts in the joints. These salts are mostly calcium urates, created by the body’s neutralization of uric acid with its own calcium. Calcium is thus depleted from the bones and wasting is seen. Mineral deposits in these joints harden and the final result would be fusion of the entire joint.

The fourth group consists of arthritis resulting from direct trauma to a joint. In a healthy individual, arthritis would most likely not occur due to use, such as in running. The joints must first be weakened by toxic accumulations and mineral deposits. The trauma then initiates the onset of the disease. If a joint would be greatly overworked, as in a series of marathons, inflammation may occur. However, if the individual were healthy, healing would occur after resting the joint involved, and there would be no lasting adverse effects.

The fifth group consists of metabolic disorders. Gout is a disease that is associated with high amounts of uric acid in the blood. It is also associated with high amounts of uric acid in the urine. The physiology books will tell you that this is common and quite innocuous. This may be true, but it is not normal. The body rids itself of this poisonous material through the kidneys, but the fact that it exists in high amounts in the urine indicates errors in diet. The presence of uric acid in the blood of gouty individuals is considered by many physicians as a primary disease that arises without extrinsic cause. However, this condition would not occur in anyone who lived healthfully. The extrinsic cause that results in high levels of uric acid lies in eating foods that are unsuitable. Flesh foods are main contributors but also consumption of alcohol is a major factor. These conditions must be corrected if health is to be restored.

6.1 The “Immune” Theory

Our system normally comprises various types of white blood cells and molecules made by those cells. These cells and molecules normally reside in the lymph tissues and bloodstream and migrate to certain areas when needed to perform their specialized duties (such as in inflammation as the result of an injury).

Most of these cells and compounds have now been identified in human joints actively afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. They include monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, etc. The scientists do not know why these cells congregate in the rheumatoid-diseased joint. The reason, however, is not so baffling when you realize that the body initiated an inflammatory process in its attempts to heal. All inflammatory processes are associated with the above-named white blood cells. It is their duty to engulf and destroy all foreign matter and “clean up” the area along with other important functions. The scientists speculate that it is these white blood cells that inflict disease but they admit that they do not know why or how they accomplish this matter. The truth is that these white blood cells do not inflict disease even though they are identified with this disease process. In fact, they are “helpers” in the healing process.

It is generally believed that neutrophils (white blood cells) produce proteases that destroy cartilage in the joint. This enzyme may destroy the cartilage eventually, but it is not the cause of the disease. This situation would not occur if the pH of the area were not too acid from excessive meat eating and sugar eating. About 1/6th of meat is composed of uric acid. The body cannot digest and utilize animal wastes. So it neutralizes these harmful acids with base materials, such as calcium. Calcium urates form and are deposited in joints or muscular tissue around the joints. Meanwhile, the joints are being destroyed by the leaching of minerals from the bones and calcium deposits form in the joints irritating the tissues resulting in inflammation, pain, and swelling.

Based on these erroneous conceptions of the immune system working against the body, various drugs are given to suppress the activities of these cells. Aspirin is given to suppress the inflammation but it also suppresses healing, the formation of prostaglandins that also play a role in healing, and many other physiological functions.

Injectable gold is given to arthritis sufferers, but patients suffer itching, stomach discomfort, anemia, and platelet disorders. A drug called D-penicillamine results in bone marrow suppression or kidney disease in many people. Benoxaprofen was given to inhibit the migration of monocytes (a normal occurrence). This drug did not only offer no benefits but had to be removed from the market by Eli Lilly Company for an indefinite period of time because it had been linked with 61 deaths among elderly patients in Great Britain.

You cannot be poisoned into health nor can health be achieved through interference with normal, cellular activities. Once underlying causes are removed and corrected, the body will heal. If the disease has progressed to the point where the joints have become fused, complete recovery may not be achieved, but improvement will be made. Further joint destruction will be halted and general health will greatly improve.