Causes of Arthritis and Effects of Glutathione

While it is a common disease especially among the elderly, the exact causes of arthritis are for the most part, unknown.

Arthritis is a common disease especially among the elderly yet the exact causes of arthritis are, for the most part, unknown. Of the more than 100 types of arthritis, only several have an identifiable cause. The rest are idiopathic. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, and most cases of osteoarthritis have no known cause.

Even when the cause is identified, it is unclear as to how some people develop the disease when others who have gone through the same conditions and share the same risk factors do not. For instance, a person with a broken knee may develop arthritis several years down the road, but other people with a similar broken knee may not get arthritis.

There are however, several factors that have been linked to the development of arthritis which some people even consider as causes of arthritis.

Here are some of the common risk factors for arthritis:

• Heredity

Certain types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout can be passed down through the genes. Individuals with a family history of arthritis need to be extra careful because they have a genetic predisposition to the joint disease.

• Injury

Injuries and trauma to the joints are among the most common risk factors for arthritis. They may not immediately lead to arthritis but they can do so in the long run. A deformity or tear in the surrounding cartilages, tendons and ligaments caused by a joint injury can result in scars and weakened areas.

Further injury, abuse and strain on the weakened joint can completely compromise the integrity of the joint and eventually pave the path for arthritis to set in.

• Aging

Aging also numbers among the most common risk factors for arthritis. In many cases, the disease is a normal event that occurs with old age. Just like the cogs in the wheels of a car, joints eventually break down after a lifetime of wear and tear.

• Infection

Local infections can be disseminated in the bloodstream and carried to the joints and other parts of the body. The infectious agents may be bacteria, fungi or viruses. Arthritis cases caused by the spread of infection are few and far between and usually affect individuals who are already suffering from another type of arthritis.

• Abnormal Metabolism

Metabolic abnormalities can also lead to the development of arthritis.

The abnormal purine metabolism in gout, for instance, can lead to the formation of uric acid crystals which usually lodge themselves at the joints of the big toes.

• Autoimmunity

Autoimmunity happens when the body attacks its own cells and tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory type of arthritis.

• Other Diseases

Some diseases can count as risk factors for arthritis because arthritis can be developed secondary to these disorders. Severe cases of Lyme disease, for example, can result in the swelling of various joints.

• Obesity

Extra weight places extra stress on weight-bearing joints. If the joints are unable to bear the added pressure, then osteoarthritis can occur. It is therefore important to maintain a normal weight by eating a well-balanced, well-portioned diet.

Benefits of glutathione can also help curb obesity. This powerful antioxidant helps flush out bad cholesterol from the body and also has anti-inflammatory effects which is very helpful for people with arthritis.

• Gender

Both males and females can get arthritis but certain types of the joint disease play favorites. Osteoarthritis, for example, is more prevalent in middle-aged women. On the other hand, gout is more common in men than in women.

• Sedentary Lifestyle

An inactive lifestyle can also be a contributing factor to the development of arthritis. Without exercise, the joints and bones become weak. A sedentary lifestyle usually goes hand-in-hand with obesity.

Effects of Glutathione on the Causes of Arthritis
Glutathione is not well known amongst doctors let alone a household word, however, do a search on the National Library of Medicine PubMed and you will find over 90,000 articles on glutathione (also known as GSH).

Glutathione and Arthritis

At Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, rheumatologists proved that by increasing the glutathione levels in affected tissues, that inflammation at the cellular level showed definite improvement.

Since the causes of arthritis are chronic inflammation, scientists have proven that by raising the glutathione levels in the immune system, inflammation could be minimized or prevented.

Known as the master antioxidant, some of the benefits of Glutathione not only alleviates some of the causes of arthritis by boosting the immune system which in turn reduces inflammation, but also provides other benefits like lowering blood cholesterol and over 60 other different diseases.