Treatment of
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
via Nutritional Therapy
by
Jennifer McDermott DipION, MBANT
What is PMR?
• PMR is an inflammatory rheumatic
condition.
• Affecting approx 4 in 1000 people –
usually over the age of 50.
• Both men & women affected but slightly
more women than men.
Dr Badal Pal, Consultant Rheumatologist
Main symptoms of PMR
• Sudden abrupt pain
• Morning stiffness – mainly affecting shoulders &
thighs (often inc neck & torso)
• Feeling generally unwell
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Occasional slight fever
• Loss of appetite and weight
Severe form of PMR – ‘temporal arteritis’ –
causing painful inflammation of the arteries in the
head.
CAUSES OF PMR?
There are no clear known causes for PMR
but is thought by some to be:
• Related to rheumatoid arthritis
• A genetic disorder
• Caused by the adenovirus respiratory
infection
Mistaken Identity?
There are a number of conditions displaying
similar symptoms and can therefore be mistaken
for PMR such as:
•Rheumatoid Arthritis
•Osteoarthritis
•Underactive Thyroid
•Depression
•Parkinson’s disease
•Fibromyalgia
•Occasionally even cancer such as prostate or
myeloma.
Diagnosis
Since the symptoms of PMR are similar to so many
conditions, it is important to obtain confirmation of PMR via
blood tests.
Two blood tests: ESR & CRP
(erythrocyte sedimentation rate & C-reactive protein)
Both test results will give an indication of
inflammation occurring within the body.
(However, many conditions cause ESR & CRP to change
so additional tests may be necessary to obtain a positive
PMR diagnosis)
Treatment of PMR
• Present Orthodox treatment of PMR
consists of Corticosteroid drugs such as:
Prednisolone (Deltacortril)
• Around 50% of patients require 2-3 years
of medication, 30% require even longer.
• THESE DRUGS DO NOT CURE PMR!
They suppress inflammation.
Possible side effects of
Prednisolone
•Weight gain (abdomen, puffy ‘moon’ face)
•Easy bruising
•Hair loss
•Rise in blood sugar
•Rise in blood pressure
•Osteoporosis
(CAUTION! Never stop any medication suddenly as this
may cause harm. Always consult GP and request help to
reduce medication slowly.)
Inflammation, a cry for help?
Inflammation is an immune response caused by
Granulocyte white blood cells known as
Eosinophils and Basophils.
Any inflammation within the body should be read
as a warning sign that the body is out of balance.
Inflammation within the body is a sign that the
body is reacting to something i.e. food, alcohol,
environmental pollution etc.
Avoid the side-effects!
It is possible to treat inflammation
within the body by dietary
means…and there are no side
effects!
Reduce inflammation and reduce pain.
Reducing Inflammation
The body may react/over-react if deficient in:
• Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
• Biotin
• Vitamin B6 & B3
• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Pantothenic Acid (B5) also required to make
cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone.
Essential Fatty Acids
EFAs, both Omega 3 and 6 make extremely
active hormone-like substances known as
prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cannot be
supplemented and so must be obtained from
the diet in order to achieve optimum health
and wellbeing.
There are three sets of
prostaglandins which can be made:
Prostaglandins ‘series 1’ (PGE1)
Prostaglandins ‘series 2’ (PGE2)
Prostaglandins ‘series 3’ (PGE3)
PGE1 & 3 are beneficial as they are antiinflammatory, PGE2 encourages
inflammation within the body and is to be
avoided.
Omega 3 & 6 families
Essential fatty Acids
Omega 6
Omega 3
Linolenic Acid
Alpha-Linolenic Acid
Corn, safflower, sunflower,
Sesame, pumpkin oils
GLA
PGE1
flax, pumpkin, walnut
ARACHIDONIC ACID
meat, milk
PGE2
EPA
fish
PGE3
DHA
fish
Foods to eat rich in EFAs
Omega 3
Flax (Linseed) oil
Hemp
Pumpkin
Walnut
Omega 6
Corn oil
Safflower
Sunflower
Sesame
EPA & DHA
Salmon
Mackerel
Herring
Sardines
Anchovies
Tuna
Marine algae
Eggs* (also AA)
GLA
Evening Primrose oil
Borage oil
Blackcurrant seed oil
Foods to eat containing supporting
nutrients…
Biotin
Cauliflower, lettuce, peas, tomatoes,oysters, grapefruit,
watermelon, sweetcorn, cabbage, almonds, cherries,
herrings, eggs.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Watercress, cauliflower, cabbage, peppers, bananas,
squash, broccoli, asparagus, lentils, red kidney beans,
brussel sprouts, onions, seeds and nuts (various)
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Mushrooms, tuna, chicken, salmon, asparagus, cabbage,
lamb, mackerel, turkey, tomatoes, courgettes, squash,
cauliflower, wholewheat.
Foods to eat containing supporting
nutrients cont…
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
Peppers, watercress, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower,
strawberries, lemons, kiwi fruit, peas, melons, oranges,
grapefruit, limes, tomatoes.
Magnesium
Wheat germ, almonds, cashew nuts, brewer’s yeast,
buckwheat flour, Brazil nuts, peanuts, pecan nuts, cooked
beans, garlic, raisins, green peas, potato skin, crab
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Mushrooms, watercress, broccoli, alfalfa sprouts, peas,
lentils, tomatoes, cabbage, celery, strawberries, eggs,
squash, avocados, wholewheat.
Foods to eat containing supporting
nutrients cont…
Zinc
Oysters, ginger root, lamb, pecan nuts, dry
split peas, haddock, green peas, shrimps,
turnips, Brazil nuts, egg yolks, wholewheat
grain, rye, oats, peanuts, almonds
Foods/drinks to avoid
• Coffee
• Alcohol
• Foods high in saturated fat (can inhibit the absorption of
EFAs)
• Foods from the nightshade family such as:
• Potatoes, peppers, aubergines, tomatoes
• Meat
• Chicken is higher in AA than Turkey so Turkey preferable
• Dairy products, milk, yoghurt, butter, cream etc
• Refined carbohydrates such as: cakes, biscuits, white
bread/rice etc
• Sugar – immune suppressant
Toxic overload?
The information outlined within suggests a
process for reducing inflammation. However,
in this instance we are simply treating the
‘symptoms’ and not the ‘cause’. The cause
of PMR seems to be, as yet, unknown.
However it is my opinion that such
symptoms may arise due to toxic overload
within the body.
Toxic overload?
A healthy Liver plays a vital role in the process
of digestion. Taking in food from the digestive
tract and repackaging before shipping it off to
other parts of the body for use. It is the role of
the Liver to deal with toxins within the body
either by breaking them down into a safer form
or eliminating them from your body. However, if
toxins are taken into the body on a regular
basis, the Liver becomes overloaded and
cannot deal with the amount of work it has to
carry out. When this happens, your health will
suffer in many ways.
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Health problems associated with suppressed
Liver function
Indigestion
Atherosclerosis
Diabetes
Hormone imbalances
PMS
Period or menopausal problems
Headaches/migraines
Arthritis
Sinusitis
Hives
Behavioural problems
Mood swings
Mental confusion
Fatigue
Poor hair and skin
Inability to lose weight
Irritability
Stiff and aching joints
What Harms the Liver?
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Sugar
Fats
Alcohol
Drugs (medication and social/recreational)
Liver Detox
A Liver Detox programme could detoxify the body of toxic overload in as little as
six weeks. Some of the benefits achieved after a Liver detox are:
• Energy – LOTS!
• Joint pain and stiffness – Dramatic improvement, possibly
eliminated
• Skin – soft, smooth, clear and bright
• Hair – strong, shiny and healthy
• Food cravings – gone!
• Weight loss – a minimum of 7lbs (on average)
• Heartburn/indigestion – gone!
• Constipation – gone!
• Sleep – sleep sound, wake refreshed and ready to go!
CAUTION: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CARRY OUT A LIVER DETOX WITHOUT THE HELP
OF A QUALIFIED PRACTITIONER
Other lifestyle factors to consider
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Stress relief
Exercise
Meditation
Positive Thinking
Lymphatic drainage
Useful books
The Journey -An Extraordinary Guide for Healing Your Life
and Setting Yourself Free – by Brandon Bays (Thorsons –
ISBN: 0-7225-3839-1)
Boost Your Immune System – by Jennifer Meek & Patrick
Holford (Piatkus – ISBN: 0-7499-1864-0)
Change Your Life with Accelerated Visualisation – by
Harold Hampf (Quantum – ISBN: 0-572-02458-4)
The Power of Your Subconcious Mind – by Joseph
Murphy Ph D., D.D. (Pocket Books – ISBN:0-7434-0818-7)
A few last tips!
Make changes slowly – i.e. change your breakfast for one month then
move onto making lunch a healthier option.
Visualise clearly what you want to achieve (see yourself as you want to
be)
Avoid foods which you crave and feel as though you couldn’t live
without! (most of the time the foods we love are the very one’s causing
the problems!)
Set yourself small goals and build in rewards – keep motivated.
Thank you……
I’d like to thank the PMR-GCA UK North
East Group, for inviting me here today.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
Jennifer McDermott Dip ION, MBANT
Nutritional Therapist
Tel: 07789 117396
Email: jen.macdermott@sky.com