Arthritis Awareness Month 2022: 6 Natural Remedies for Springtime Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare-Ups
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks healthy cells, causing painful stiffness and inflammation. It's widely reported that changes in seasons can cause symptoms to become more severe. RA flareups have been associated with cold weather, but there is increasing evidence that symptoms may actually be at their worst in spring! But no matter what season affects your RA the most, the ingredients in Mountain Ice Pain Relief Gel can help you melt the pain away!
1. Turmeric
The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, a chemical compound responsible for the distinctive color of the plant as well as its anti-inflammatory properties. By blocking cytokines (proteins that signal cell response) and enzymes (proteins that serve as catalysts for chemical reactions) involved in inflammation response, curcumin can attack inflammation at its source. These chemicals include 5-LOX and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the latter of which is targeted by many drugs that range from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to selective inhibitors that target COX-2 specifically. It's one of the most common causes of inflammation and studies suggest that curcumin is effective in suppressing it.
2. Aloe Vera
Speaking of cyclooxygenase, turmeric is not the only ingredient in Mountain Ice that inhibits its production. Aloe vera, a plant best known for its cooling effect and ability to soothe burns, has been shown in studies to have similar preventative effects on pro-inflammatory enzymes like COX-2.
3. Vitamin E
Still being investigated is the role of oxidative stress in the development of Rheumatoid arthritis. Oxidative stress is caused by an excess of free radicals, unstable atoms containing an unpaired electron, and they can cause cellular damage resulting in inflammation. Antioxidants can stop this damage, and this pathway is increasingly being examined as a possible prevention method against RA. As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin E scavenges free radicals, reacting with them to stabilize them. This may be why it shows evidence of preventing joint damage even when inflammation is present.
Vitamin E may have other implications on RA, as well. Studies suggest that it protects lipids from breaking down, and these fatty acids are an important component of the synovial fluid in our joints. Low levels of synovial fluid are found in patients with inflammatory arthritis, so Vitamin E may help improve joint health in people with RA and similar types of arthritis.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Vitamin E isn't the only antioxidant in Mountain Ice! Tea tree oil, derived from the leaves of Australia's native Melaleuca alternifolia plant, is an antioxidant that also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. You may have noticed this essential oil in many products for inflammatory skin conditions like acne and eczema. Its primary constituent, terpinen-4-ol, shows evidence of promoting anti-inflammatory cytokines while inhibiting cytokines that cause inflammation.
5. Menthol
Menthol is a common pain relief option that works for a substantial number of conditions, and is known for the cooling sensation it creates. It works by stimulating thermoreceptors in skin cells that help your body recognize temperature changes. This sends signals that your brain interprets as cold, which relieves the heat of inflammation.
Menthol's also well known for its numbing sensation, which occurs when it binds to a receptor known as the κ-opioid receptor, producing an analgesic effect.
6. MSM
Methylsulfonylmethane, known as MSM, is an organosulfur compound with a versatile array of benefits for joint health. Studies regarding MSM's anti-inflammatory properties have been promising and indicate that MSN inhibits the production of NF-kB, a protein complex that controls many of the genes involved in inflammation and has been found to be chronically active in numerous inflammatory diseases. MSM has also shown potential towards inhibiting the production of multiple cytokines (small proteins) that signal the inflammatory response.
How Can Mountain Ice Pain Relief Gel Help Reduce Pain and Inflammation from Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Mountain Ice Pain Relief Gel can be an extremely effective component of an arthritis treatment plan. Each ingredient contained in Mountain Ice has anti-inflammatory as well as anti-oxidant properties, all of which help to increase blood flow, reduce swelling, and slow the progression of arthritis. Its deep-penetrating formula allows for absorption deep into the muscles and joints, making for effective relief that treats pain at its source.
