What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), also called polyarthritis, is the most common of the various forms of chronic inflammatory rheumatisms grouped under the name “arthritis.” It is an autoimmune disease, a category of diseases where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues instead of harmful foreign substances.

RA leads to inflammation of multiple joints at the same time, causing swelling and pain, and limiting range of movement. The inflammation first affects the synovial membrane that lines the joints. As the membrane becomes inflamed, it loses its protective seal, allowing fluid and blood to seep into the joint, which causes swelling (oedema). Then the inflammation damages other joint components—cartilage, capsule, tendons, ligaments, muscles and bone—ultimately destroying the joint.

Often patients with polyarthritis experience flare-ups in between periods when symptoms are milder or temporarily disappear. The disease generally worsens, affecting more and more joints, and eventually becomes incapacitating.

Relieves inflammation associated with ra

White pine bark

It is crucial to relieve the chronic, creeping pain caused by inflammation. Our white pine bark extract standardized to 95% proanthocyanidins, found in all Annedda^® products, has well-documented anti-inflammatory effects. It inhibits formation of substances that trigger inflammation in the body: 5-lipoxygenase, phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The most prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs in the world focus on inhibiting COX-2. Clinical trials have shown that pine bark extract is effective in alleviating pain associated with osteoarthritis, improves mobility and reduces the need for patients to rely on synthetic anti-inflammatory and conventional pain medication. Annedda RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS^® relieves pain as effectively, if not better, than traditional anti-inflammatory drugs without causing the kinds of adverse effects that are increasingly associated with synthetic medications. Some of these anti-inflammatory drugs have even been removed from sale due to these adverse effects (e.g. Viox®), while the use of others is often limited for the same reasons (Celebrex®, ibuprofen, etc).

Turmeric

But white pine bark extract is not the only weapon at our disposal. We have also added turmeric to Annedda RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS^®. This spice from India also has remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. Clinical trials have shown that the curcumin in turmeric is more effective than ibuprofen at relieving arthritis pain and improving patients’ ability to climb stairs.³ We have also added black pepper extract because the piperine it contains helps the body absorb more of the anti-inflammatory curcumin.⁴ The technologies used by major producers of turmeric extract eliminate almost all aromatic constituents (essential oils). This means that the turmeric extracts generally available to consumers are incomplete. We go to great lengths to ensure the essential oil missing from commercial products is added to our product so that you are benefiting from the complete extract. You will notice the difference as soon as you open our product and smell its characteristic aroma.

Curbs deterioration of joint tissues and promotes their regeneration

Other than chronic inflammation, there are two factors that cause the deterioration of joint tissues: a vascular disorder of the bone, and an accumulation of glycotoxins (glycation end products) in the body.

Vascular issues in the bones.

Joint tissues draw the nutrients they need to develop and repair themselves not from the blood vessels but from the synovial fluid that lubricates the joint. Nutrients are delivered through the capillaries, a network of microvessels that supply blood to the bones. When a dysfunction causes the capillaries to become blocked, they stop nourishing the synovial fluid. This episodic or chronic lack of oxygen and nutrients causes the joint tissues to break down. The proanthocyanidins found in our white pine bark extract protect blood vessels and maintain the normal function of capillaries, allowing the body to regain its natural capacity to not only curb deterioration of the joint tissues, but also to regenerate them.

Glycation.

Glycotoxins, or glycation end products, are proteins that fuse with sugar molecules. The body’s cells are unable to separate the glycated proteins so they accumulate indefinitely. Glycotoxin buildup in the body leads to a cellular reaction that can cause damage to the tissues. Patients suffering from osteoarthritis show an accumulation of glycotoxins in their cartilage matrix, which contributes to the deterioration of joint tissue, decreased synthesis of substances likely to regenerate deteriorated tissue and, as a result, progression of the disease.

The proanthocyanidins in our white pine bark extract counteract these two main causes of joint tissue degeneration and allow the body the regain its natural capacity to regenerate healthy tissue.

Reeducates the immune system

White pine bark extract is an immune system modulator. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, which it is designed to protect. Studies have demonstrated that white pine bark extract can counter the immune system’s production of histamine, a substance that triggers an allergic type reaction.

Black cohosh

Annedda RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS^® also contains black cohosh to support the reeducation of the immune system. A medicinal plant from North America, it was traditionally used to relieve pain related to rheumatisms. We now know that it works by acting on serotonin, a neurotransmittor that calms anxiety, combats depression and improves mood^. Since stress is a contributing factor in immune disorders, black cohosh can help reeducate the immune system. And by stimulating serotonin production, it will help you overcome the depression and fear of moving you have developed due to the arthritis pain. We have also added vitamin C to the formula for an extra boost of energy.