Environmental Nutrition Offers Primer on Alternative Arthritis Remedies, but All Need to be Proven

With no cure in sight for over 43 million Arthritis sufferers, and limited medical options for alleviating symptoms, it’s not surprising that two-thirds of sufferers have tried diet, vitamins and herbs as alternative treatments.

Those therapies that have shown the most promise in recent studies are the following:

The Glucosamine/Chondroitin Combo was touted in the 1997 book, The Arthritis Cure, and in the 1998 book, Maximizing The Arthritis Cure, by Jason Theodosakis, M.D. who speculates that these two substances have a synergistic effect. While evidence supports Glucosamine’s role in the relief of pain, swelling and tenderness of OA, evidence also suggests that it may also halt the breakdown of cartilage. On the other hand, Chondroitin draws fluid into the cartilage making it spongy and protecting it from destructive enzymes.

An analysis of 15 studies from the past 30 years that appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association found evidence to support some degree of effectiveness of both compounds. However, an editorial warned of varying purity and strengths of supplements on the market.

Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals – Some researchers theorize that free radicals – natural but harmful compounds formed when substances in the body react with oxygen – exacerbate the damage and inflammation in arthritic joints. Therefore, antioxidant nutrients such as Vitamin C and E, beta-carotene and selenium may offer some protection. Several small clinical studies show Vitamin E supplements help reduced inflammation and pain in both OA and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Vitamin D – has long been known to be important in bone health. In fact, research from the University of California at San Francisco has found older women with low levels of vitamin D in their blood to be at increased risk of OA of the hip. Other research reveals that dietary and supplemental D can slow progress of OA.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Americans tend to consume more Omega-6 Fatty acids such as vegetable oils like corn, sunflower, cottonseed and soybean, rather than Omega-3 oils from fish, canola oil, flaxseed and avocado. Omega-6 affects the hormone-like substances called prostaglandins produced in the body by lessening production of them. Omega-3 Fatty Acids then would help foster prostaglandin production which in turn would fight inflammation.

The downside to depending on Omega-3 Fatty Acids for relief of OA is that the benefits may not be seen for at least 12 weeks.

There are other potentially promising therapies to relieve the pain and progression of arthritis, including “Arthritis Diets,” fasting, herbal remedies, and substances called SAM-e and GLA. However, none of these therapies have been proven yet to make a difference.

The bottom line is that people with arthritis need to carefully assess the benefits and risks of alternative therapies. Before you make any changes, or try a new supplement, discuss the options with your doctor so that you can incorporate the appropriate therapies into your treatment plan.

(Summarized from Environmental Nutrition, April, 2000; article by Betsy Keller, M.S., R.D. – Copyright© 2000 by Environmental Nutrition, Inc. and R.L. Polk& Co. All rights reserved)