Back to the good old (pain-free) days Q: I am 63-years-old and have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 24. I have managed the condition naturally all these years. I take lots of vitamins and supplements, but they aren't helping like they used to. Do you have any suggestions? Dr. Wright: Both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are highly likely to be linked to food allergies. Milk and dairy are almost always major allergens in this form of arthritis. Eliminating nightshade vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers might also be helpful. And increasing your consumption of essential fatty acids, preferably through supplementing with fish oil, will also provide a natural anti-inflammatory effect. Generally, I recommend taking 1 tablespoonful of cod liver oil with 400 I.U. of vitamin E as mixed tocopherols twice daily. If you haven't already taken these steps, doing so now might bring you quick and even dramatic relief. However, if what you have been doing since you were 24 to manage the condition seems to be working less and less as you get older, there is another highly likely culprit. Over the years, multiple studies have reported a high incidence of stomach malfunction in people who have rheumatoid arthritis – specifically, low levels of hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Since this is a common occurrence for all of us as we age, it may be something you want to get checked out right away. While this condition is relatively easy to correct by supplementing with hydrochloric acid/pepsin capsules, you should still work closely with a doctor who can monitor your progress and make sure that you're using the correct doses. For a list of physicians in your area who are skilled in natural medicine, contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine at (800)532-3688 or visit www.acam.org. | 
