Arthritis Information
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| 08/12/10 Victoria Dolby |
Supplements for arthritis relief
Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate top the list of natural compounds that work well to ease the pain and discomfort of arthritis.
When a patient with arthritis walks in the front door, I feel like leaving out the back door," exclaimed 19th-century British physician Sir William Osler about the difficulty in successfully treating this all-too-common affliction.
Unfortunately, in the many decades since Sir Osler made that statement, there hasn't been as much progress in arthritis treatment as one would have hoped. But this lack of success is not for lack of trying. Most folks with arthritis are over-whelmed by one prescribed medication after another: from NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen), corticosteroids, and gold salts to one of the hundreds of anti-arthritis drugs currently being tested. The list of adverse effects from NSAIDs is long, and, in some cases, includes those that are very severe; the most common side effects are: nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, and peptic ulcer.
This is where nutritional arthritis therapy comes in. Natural therapies sometimes take longer to show results, but, in the long run, they may be just as effective as conventional treatment -- without the side effects.
Glucosamine sulfate for smooth joint function
Glucosamine sulfate, along with a related compound called chondroitin sulfate, belongs to a class of compounds called glycosaminoglycans.
Glucosamine sulfate is an amino sugar that helps build more complex gel-like sugars that, in turn, are used by the body to construct connective tissue and synovial fluid (the fluid that helps joints operate smoothly). Glucosamine sulfate may even help restore the health of joint tissues after injury, inflammation, or degeneration, according to research by G. Crolle and E. D'Este, which was published in the journal Current Medical Research and Opinion.
A six-month clinical trial, published in Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research, involving 200 elderly adults with degenerated joint cartilage, reported that glycosaminoglycans (given orally or by injection) improved pain and mobility. In another study, conducted by A. Reichelt and colleagues, published in a German medical journal in 1994, 155 subjects with osteoarthritis in the knee improved in 55 percent of the cases (while only 33 percent of the placebo group improved) when taking glucosamine sulfate.
Additional research, published in Current Therapeutic Research, revealed that, when 226 adults with thinning cartilage were administered oral doses of chondroitin sulfate or a placebo every day for one year, those taking the chondroitin sulfate experienced a halt in the thinning in their cartilage, and some even showed improvements in thickness compared to the placebo group. In addition, the chondroitin sulfate group showed significant improvements in all measured parameters, including pain and joint mobility.
Back to basics: vitamins and minerals
Optimal levels of all the essential vitamins and minerals ensure that the body has the building blocks it needs to rebuild joints and connective tissue after degeneration or injury. Having said that, however, there are certain nutrients that are "stand-outs."
Take the case of vitamin C. Of the 640 osteoarthritis (of the knee) patients in one study, a higher intake of vitamin C was related to a three-fold decrease in risk of disease progression. The benefits of vitamin C were seen in both men and women, at various stages of disease severity, and in both users and non-users of supplements, as discussed in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Another study by the same research group indicated that osteoarthritis, combined with a low intake of vitamin D, is like adding insult to injury, as published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Worsening knee problems are actually two to four times more likely in vitamin D-deficient osteoarthritics, the researchers say. Although vitamin D appears to slow the progress of osteoarthritis, there is currently no evidence that vitamin D prevents the condition.
Vitamin D-rich foods, sun exposure, and vitamin D supplements (as part of a multivitamin/mineral or in individual form) appear to be equally effective in raising vitamin D levels to hamper the progression of the disease.
Soothing essential fatty acids
NSAIDs work by blocking the production of inflammatory prostaglandins (hormone-like substances). However, there are natural and side effect-free ways to favorably alter prostaglandin ratios. Essential fatty acids (EFAs), such as EPA (from fish oil) and GLA (from evening primrose, black currant, and borage oil), increase the body's production of the prostaglandins that suppress inflammation.
A review of EFAs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis found that fish oil supplements (at doses of 2.7-3.6 g daily) lessened joint tenderness, swelling, and stiffness, according to the journal Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America. Interestingly, both GLA and fish oils were reported to reduce the requirements for NSAIDs.
Another study on GLA, involving 56 men and women suffering from active rheumatoid arthritis, who were taking 2.8 g of GLA (from borage seed oil) per day or a placebo, also shared good news. Those taking the GLA reported less tenderness, swelling, and morning stiffness of their joints, researchers reported in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Spicing up the joint
Cayenne peppers, native plants of Central America have become one of the hottest arthritis treatments around. Capsaicin -- an active compound in cayenne peppers -- applied topically as a cream, is widely available, and effective, for the relief of arthritis pain.
A double-blind clinical study, published in Clinical Therapeutics, found that topical preparations of capsaicin reduce the pain of arthritis by depleting the nerves of "substance P," a chemical that carries pain sensations to the brain. This study involving 70 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, had patients apply a 0.025-percent capsaicin cream or a placebo to their afflicted knee four times daily. After the four-week study, those using capsaicin cream reported
Initially, capsaicin might cause a burning sensation, but this discomfort quickly goes away, as does (in many cases) the arthritis pain. A word of caution: wash your hands after applying capsaicin cream, as it can be painful and irritating if residual cream on your hands comes into contact with your eyes.
Homeopathy is a `likeable' treatment option
The homeopathic philosophy of treatment is that "like cures like," as such homeopathic remedies will cause certain symptoms or reactions if taken by a healthy person, but prevent these same symptoms or reactions in an afflicted person. The goal is similar to that of vaccination -- to induce the body to mobilize its own powers of healing.
An in-depth review of homeopathic research studies was published in the conservative British Medical Journal. It examined 105 controlled clinical studies focusing on homeopathy and disease. Of the six studies that dealt specifically with arthritic diseases, four showed beneficial results for the treatment of rheumatological diseases with homeopathy.
Unlike traditional medicine, homeopathy tailors the treatment to individual symptoms. Most arthritis treatments are based on a few homeopathic ingredients. For example, the homeopathic ingredient Bryonia is particularly helpful in cases of inflammation of the small joints, muscles, or bursa. Individuals who benefit from bryonia often find that their arthritis pain is aggravated by motion, touch, or entering a warm room, while their arthritis symptoms are relieved by lying on the afflicted side.
Sulfur was one of the original ingredients used in homeopathic medicine, and is still an essential part of the arthritis-fighting arsenal. Best results from sulfur are found in those with rheumatic pain in the joints of the arms, shoulders, elbows, and other joints above the waist.
Silica is called for in individuals with osteoarthritis, sciatica, and arthritic diseases that develop slowly over a long period of time. Silica is especially useful in promoting the healing of connective tissues. (The herb, horsetail, taken in supplement form, is another good source of silica.)
Colchicum is best known as a remedy in gout and rheumatism, especially for rheumatic pain that is aggravated by cold and damp weather. Those who dread the joint pain brought on by wet autumn or spring weather will find welcome relief with this. Homeopathic medicines can be taken singly or in combination preparations.
Eating to feel your best
The following diet tips are useful for a broad range of arthritis patients:
Choose from a variety of low-fat, high-fiber wholesome foods, including whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and low-fat sources of protein;
Eat a balanced number of calories to maintain a healthy weight;
Drink plenty of water
Consume saturated fats sparingly (in red meat, dairy products, etc.)
Identify and avoid foods that might cause allergic reactions (such as milk, wheat, oats, rye, corn, yeast, soy, shellfish, or eggs).
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REFERENCES
Crolle, G., and D'Este, E. "Glucosamine sulphate for the management of arthrosis: A controlled clinical investigation," Current Medical Research and Opinion 7:104-9, 1980.
Deal, C.L. "Treatment of arthritis with topical capsaicin: A double-blind trial," Clinical Therapeutics 13(3):383-395, 1991.
DeLuca, P., et al. "Marine and botanical lipids as immunomodulatory and therapeutic agents in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis," Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America 21(3):759-775, 1995.
Kleijnen, J., et al. "Clinical trials of homeopathy," British Medical Journal 302(6772):316-323, 1991.
McAlindon, T.E., et al. "Do antioxidant micronutrients protect against the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis?" Arthritis & Rheumatism 39(4):648-656, 1996.
McAlindon, T.E., Jacques, P., Zhang, Y., et al. "Do antioxidant micronutrients protect against the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis," Annals of Internal Medicine 125(5):353-359, 1996.
Moore, R.D., and Morton, J.I. "Diminished inflammatory joint disease in MRL/lpr mice ingesting dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)," FASEB Journal 530 [abstract 692], 1985.
Oliviero, U., Sorrentino, G.P., and De Paola, P., et al. "Effects of the treatment with Matrix on elderly people with chronic articular degeneration," Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research XVII(1):45-51, 1991.
Pipitone, V., Ambanelli, U., and Cervini, C., et al. "A multicenter, triple-blind study to evaluate galactosaminoglucuronoglycan sulfate versus placebo in patients with femorotibial gonarthritis," Current Therapeutic Research 52(4):608-638, 1992.
Reichelt, A., et al. "Efficacy and safety of intramuscular glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis of the knee. A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study," Arzneimittel-Forschung 44(1):75-80, 1994.
Zurier, R.B., Rossetti, R.G., and Jacobson, E.W., et al. "Gamma-linolenic acid treatment of rheumatoid arthritis," Arthritis & Rheumatism 39:1808-1817, 1996.
The author's statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not provided to diagnose any disease or to suggest that liquid glucosamine and chondroitin will treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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