Probiotics, Mangosteen Juice and Omegas?

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KimSF

Posted Thursday, September 29, 2005 1:20 AM

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In the new issue of "Kids Get Arthritis Too" (Sept/Oct 2005) there's an article about a young artist named Arbella who uses probiotics and mangosteen juice to treat her JRA. I've also heard (from a couple of non-specialist docs) about the benefits of Omegas for treating inflammation (they recommended Nordic Naturals kids' products). I'm wondering if anyone has tried any of these supplements and if so, can they share their experiences (including amount, frequency and results)?
My daughter (3 yrs old with poly JRA) has lingering mild inflammation and we're trying to get rid of it before her doc puts her on the serious meds. Thanks!!

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Jill

Posted Thursday, September 29, 2005 9:06 AM

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Kim,
My daughter is five and has Pauci JRA. She takes Trilisate and Plaquenil both prescribed by her pediatric rheumy. A friend of ours is into nutrition and told us about the benefits of flax seed oil for inflammation. I asked my daughter's rheumy and she said it couldn't hurt. My daughter's rheumy said I could add flax seed oil to my daughter's meds as long as we continued her meds. Now, besides the meds I give my daughter a two teaspoon dose of orange flavored flax seed oil daily. Flax seed oil has Omega 3 or 6 in it (I can't remember which one). I use one of the tiny measuring cups from Tylenol and measure the orange flavored flax seed oil into that. Then I pour a bit of orange juice on top of that. My daughter drinks it right down and looks forward to her "orange medicine" daily. Flax seed oil has the added benefit of being a natural laxative. My daughter used to be chronically constipated. Since taking flax seed oil that problem has disappeared. I will put the web link below for you of where I buy the flavored flax seed oil. Cut and paste it to your browser.

My daughter has had just as many JRA flares since taking flax seed oil as before. I am sticking with it for the laxative benefit only.

If my daughter's rheumy wanted to switch to a stronger medicine for my daughter I would permit it in a minute. I have seen the joint damage of RA in older relatives in my family. I don't want that to happen to my daughter. To me it's not worth the risk. I wish you the best with your decision.
Jill

http://omegahealthstore.com/

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KimSF

Posted Thursday, October 27, 2005 2:16 AM

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After a month of trying all three, I think the mangosteen juice is basically a tasty but very hyped exotic juice. I understand it's difficult to export, which may explain the scarcity and consequently the price, but I don't think it's worth it. The omegas and probiotics seem good -- I've been reading more and more about the benefits of fish oil omegas for inflammation and the probiotics help my stomach --but nothing dramatic or worthy of "noting" by our 3 year old daughter.

The big news is that our daughter took a blood food allergy test. It turns out she is highly allergic to cow's milk, which we suspected since she gets all phlegmy when she eats/drinks it, AND WHEAT (the entire wheat family: wheat, rye, barley, spelt, gluten, gliadin) which we did not suspect since she has NO noticeable symptons (luckily she does not have celiac sprue). Who knows if these allergies have been exacerbating her arthritis, but we're eliminating all offending foods from her diet.

And she -- absolutely -- will take whatever meds her doctor prescribes! It's just that the doc been reluctant to change any thing since our daughter's inflammation is (at this point) very mild, but lingering.

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michelle2

Posted Thursday, October 27, 2005 1:59 PM

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Hi Kim,
I was reading your thread and noticed that you mentioned celiac sprue. My cousin has it and just called me yesterday to see if my rheumy would test Sophia. He is a dietician and goes to many different places talking about it, he emailed me an article about JRA and celiac. I am asking Sophia's doctor to test her. I wish the best to you and your family.
Michelle (Sophia, pauci/uveitis)

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KimSF

Posted Thursday, October 27, 2005 4:33 PM

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Hi Michelle,
Yep, as you probably heard from your cousin, it seems that if you have one auto-immune disorder you're more likely to have another as well. Celiac disease is supposedly very common among people of European descent (and is a common disease in Europe), but I don't think doctors regularly test for it here.

I'd also recommend a food allergy blood test for Sophia --in fact I think everyone could learn something from taking a food allergy test. It can't be good for anybody to be fighting the food they consume. I know that most doctors are (correctly) focused on treating the symptoms, but I also think there may be easily identifiable triggers or at least additional challenges to the immune system, like food allergies, that can can be remedied at home and may help our little ones feel a bit better.

The good news is that if your daughter does have celiac sprue or a wheat allergy, there are now lots of "wheat and gluten-free" products, so she can still eat bread, pasta, cereal, cookies and crackers (available at health food stores or online).

Good luck and update us with the results!
Kim

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Ben's Mommy

Posted Friday, October 28, 2005 12:19 PM

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Our rheumy suggested foods rich in Omega 3 to us and we try to incorporate them ino our family's diet. As for the rest I don't know what to think anymore. I met a woman at a wedding not too long ago who I thought had some very interesting insights about diet and herbs etc, that is until she began to tell me that my son's doc wants him to be sick and that all the medication he has put him on is just so he can profit. That turned me off right away. I am always a little leary of all of it but always hoping to find something that will help Ben. I am interested to hear all of your insight.

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AdamRhoads

Posted Monday, July 20, 2009 3:29 AM

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Kim,

Omegas can help in some cases. You might consider evaluating your diet since it can contribute to the unbalanced and prolonged inflammation response that RA causes. I used a flaxseed composition to shift my sister's omegas until we saw a reduction in her juvenile RA symptoms. Her initial omega intake was at 6:1 (O6/O3) with significant swelling and pain, likley because she consumed barely 1g of daily O3. Her symptoms improved as she shifted toward 2:1.

--Adam

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