Let's explore some reasons for joint pain and then look at some methods that have been successful for some people in helping them cope or overcome their own painful joints.

It would be nice if I could tell you that a particular method worked for many, so it would also be your panacea. However, I've been around long enough not to make irrational promises. Every person's body is uniquely different. Your spiritual life and thought patterns play complex roles in the function of your body. We'll look at their effect in future sharings.

Food intolerance seems to play a strong role in malfunction of joints. The way this sensitivity triggers your joint pain may not be completely understood. However, we'll look at things you may be able to change in order to give yourself some relief if this is a factor in your painful joints.

The disorder we call arthritis is related to what's going on in your whole body. Paavo O. Airola, N.D. referred to it as, "a systemic constitutional disease." The major way it affects a joint is to cause degeneration of collagen. Collagen provides the structure for your bones, tendons and all of your body's connective tissues.

As collagen begins to degenerate, fibrous tissue accumulates around the affected joint and collects mineral deposits and toxic wastes. Tissues swell in reaction to the toxins and motion begins to be restricted. You might wonder where these toxic wastes originate.

Part of the answer is: "In your intestinal tract." As your body becomes imbalanced from poor nutrition, food allergy or intolerance responses, insufficient water, lack of exercise, exposure to pollutants, and a variety of physical and emotional stresses, toxins begin to accumulate and migrate through the intestinal walls. They are carried through the bloodstream and begin to deposit in the fibrous tissue which has been growing near your irritated joint sites.

The main toxin we'll look at is an alkaloid named solanine. Solanine is a chemical found in nightshade plants. That family is likely one of your favorite food groups.

Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers (including paprika and all hot peppers) and eggplant all are part of the nightshade family. It also includes tobacco. Early settlers used to call tomatoes "poison apples," because so many developed joint pain after eating them.

You may wonder why I included tobacco in the list. People who are around smokers may be breathing a more toxic form of this chemical, and young people who use smokeless tobacco products are getting a harmful overload.

One big problem with solanine is it interferes with serotonin production in the brain. This is a major neurotransmitter and its lack can cause emotional imbalance. For some, it triggers weeping, crying for no good reason, or outbursts of anger.

One reaction might be to heighten sensitivity to the sense of pain. Since serotonin strongly influences mood, another reaction might be depression in susceptible people.

It's long been known that if cattle eat nightshade plants they begin to suffer from sensitive joints and have often been seen kneeling to relieve their pain. The man who pioneered much of this research, was a former Professor of Horticulture at Rutgers University, Dr. Norman F. Childers. He noted that cattle are very reluctant to eat solanine-producing vines or plants and experience arthritic joints when they do.

Some people are so sensitive to the effects of solanine that it can aggravate diverticulosis, and contribute to myasthenia gravis.

Solanine is very concentrated in potato skins. (Potatoes exposed to sunlight have much more green on their surfaces.) Years ago I read of a children's home where the cook made soup of green-skinned potatoes. Many of the children became ill, some enough to be hospitalized. The greener the skin, the more concentrated the solanine is.

Potato chips and French fries have been cut in such a way that they have a greater surface exposed to light, which raises the solanine content. Then, if a person smothers the fries with catsup they're doubling the dose.

Of course, not everyone who eats potatoes, tomatoes, and chili gets arthritic pain. If the body is constantly exposed to a particular toxin, it can adapt its way of processing the poison so it becomes dependent on that chemical. This is part of the mechanism behind drug addiction.

That process can be passed down in the genes. That may explain why certain nationalities eat ethnic foods high in solanine without everyone in the family having intolerant responses.

However, some people who stopped eating solanine-producing foods and later went back to them found they react strongly to this chemical. For instance, a former potato lover who stops eating them, and cleans out their system from their effect, may find, that eating potatoes again causes them to become very sleepy.

A man who gave up all solanine-based plants, waited for a number of months and then ate a few tomatoes. Within two to three hours, his knees started to hurt, followed by pain in his back. Needless to say, he decided to stay on a solanine-free diet. (One physician said she thought the effects of solanine could last in the body for up to a year before the body was finally, completely detoxified.)

How can you tell if solanine producers are causing you toxic symptoms? Stop eating them for a period of time, such as a week to a month. Drink extra water during this time to help flush toxins from your body. Then, preferably after a month, try one of the family, such as a tomato, a potato, or a chili-type meal.

Observe what happens in your body. Do you begin to feel confused, sleepy, or emotionally fragile after a few hours? If so, this is likely a toxic reaction and you might want to limit your intake of all solanine producers.

A word of caution. You need to learn to read labels. Some herbal teas contain capsaicin (a member of the pepper family). Some less expensive yogurts are thickened with potato starch. This group can make its appearance in soups, casseroles, and an amazing list of prepared foods.

I went off all solanine foods for a rather long time, as an experiment. I used to love tomatoes and potatoes. Later, at a gathering of friends, I ate potatoes, tomatoes and chili in casseroles. When I drove home, over a mountain range, I nearly passed out at the wheel. In mid-day, I fought an overwhelming sleepiness. Finally, I had presence enough of mind to pull off the highway and lay almost comatose on the seat. I was awake, but utterly unable to respond, until enough time elapsed that the worst of the reaction passed.

This may not be your problem. However, if it is, and you eliminate solanine producers from your diet, learn from my experience and use caution when re-exposing yourself to this family.

I'm not attempting to diagnose your condition or suggest treatment. I'm sharing my journalistic efforts and personal experience. It is wise to consider consulting your family physician before making any major changes.

Be healthy,
Nancy Pidutti

Bibliography:
Airola, Paavo O., N.D., There Is A Cure For Arthritis. West Nyack: Parker, 1973. 29-32, 115-116.
Buist, Robert, Ph.D., Food Chemical Sensitivity. Garden City Park: Avery, 1988. 162-63.
Fredericks, Carlton, Ph.D. Arthritis, Don't Learn to Live with It. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1981. p.19-46.
Wright, Jonathan V., M.D., Dr. Wright's Book of Nutritional Therapy. Emmaus: Rodale, 1979. p.232-234.