How The CR Way Can Help
If you are not yet diagnosed with arthritis and want to prevent it, you came to the right place. Following a CR Way lifestyle decreases chances of contracting the disease, and – if you already have it – may slow its progression by preserving cartilage and preventing muscle weakness. While more research is needed, studies so far are encouraging:
1. Start by testing important benchmarks.
Visit your doctor for an evaluation of your condition and ask for CR Way Benchmarks to be included in the tests ordered. Pay special attention to the tests in the chart below, which may change significantly as you fine-tune your CR Way lifestyle.
The CR Way counters key cell signals involved with rheumatoid arthritis. Test your benchmarks at the start of your CR Way program and periodically thereafter to evaluate the effectiveness of your regimen. Benchmarks to include:
At first, you may have difficulty in achieving these healthy ranges, but after several months you will likely find it much easier to reach these new levels of health. This will likely be accompanied by less severe arthritis symptoms. And if you do not have arthritis, you will be less likely to get the disease.
For more on CR Way benchmarks use The Nutribase CR Way Edition Software, which includes a tracker function with a benchmark section and a chart with reference ranges and columns to make it easy to enter your results. You can also use the Tracker's "logs" function to add new benchmarks that will be automatically charted as you enter them.
CR Way benchmarks are also provided in The CR Way, Chapter 8, “Getting Started on The CR Way, pages 145 – 148.
After three to six months on the program, reevaluate your arthritic condition. While there are no guarantees, most likely you will feel significantly better – with lab tests to match.
2. Lose weight healthfully.
Use The CR Way to Happy Dieting to get started on a weight-loss program that you can customize to your needs. If you have questions, make sure to use the forums and call in to the teleconferences to find out more about what you should aim for.
3. Keep body fat low.
This will reduce levels of the hormone, leptin, and other inflammatory markers associated with arthritis.
4. Make sure your fat sources are healthful.
Include olive oil and fish oil in your daily diet, which have been linked to reduction of arthritis severity.
Also consult The CR Way, Chapter 9, “Foods to Choose,” pages 156-158.
5. Increase safe sun exposure.
Several studies have linked vitamin D from the sun to decreased rheumatoid arthritis severity.
Find out more about safe exposure to the sun and and its benefits.
6. Increase muscle and joint strength.
Muscle weakness is a risk factor for arthritis – exercise regularly, following The CR Way protocol for Healthful Exercise building exercise strength for osteoporosis prevention. Focus especially on joints that are vulnerable to arthritis, including the knees and hands.
For more on exercise, see The CR Way, Chapter 7, “How to Get Started,” pages 161-163.