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Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate- Glucosamine is often sold in conjunction with chondroitin and is made from the shells of shrimp, lobster and crabs. Over 150 studies and 20 clinical trials point out that it not only relieves pain but also builds cartilage. Glucosamine also reportedly lubricates joints by keeping cartilage pliable.
Chondroitin is a chain of repeating molecules that add elasticity to cartilage. It comes from the cartilage of animals such as cows, sharks and pig parts. By supplementing with chondroitin, you are increasing collagen’s ability to absorb shock. It has not been studied as much as glucosamine, but what well designed studies were done indicate that chondroitin sulfate can ease pain and increase mobility in arthritic joints.
Note: When purchasing chondroitin, be sure that you are getting the real deal. According to Tod Cooperman, who is the President of Consumer Lab (an independent testing facility), chondroitin is ten times more expensive than glucosamine. The key is to look for products that contain only chondroitin sulfate and stay away from those that include “chondroitin complex or compound” on the label.
Recommendation: Irwin Naturals 3-in-1 Joint Formula |
| Omega-3 Oils- It is the prostaglandins in the body that regulate the inflammatory response. In a healthy body, anti-inflammatory prostaglandins are produced from dietary ingestion of healthy seed oils such as flaxseed oil, or deep water fish oils. It is the high content of omega-3 fatty acids in these sources that leads to the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Omega-3 oils have been scientifically proven to be powerful anti-inflammatory agents. In contrast, a high dietary ingestion of omega-6 rich oils, such as corn, safflower, and sunflower, as well as animal meats, can lead to the production of inflammatory prostaglandins, worsening the symptoms of inflammatory conditions. The high prevalence of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions may be due largely to the fact that we ingest far too much omega-6 rich oils and animal meats in proportion to the amount of omega-3 fatty acids we consume. This shift in dietary ingestion of omega-3 to omega-6 has been well documented over the past 100 years. One study concluded that arthritics suffer from a 40% deficiency in essential fatty acids compared to other Americans, and over a 100% deficiency compared to people from non-industrialized nations. |
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Unlike medications that interfere with prostaglandin metabolism, omega-3 oils naturally temper the inflammatory prostaglandins resulting in a decrease in painful inflammation. The difference between the drug approach and the path taken with omega-3 oils is that the oils do not come with the common side effects prevalent in medications. Not only do the omega-3 oils come without side effects, but they have been medically proven to benefit as many as 60 other common afflictions. Beyond the power of regulating prostaglandins, omega-3 oils have been found to augment the immune system, lessening the severity of auto-immune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Note: Please make sure that when purchasing flaxseed oil, it is in a refrigerated section of your health food store. In addition, when purchasing fish oil, it is imperative that you make sure that the fish they are using are cold water fish, void of heavy metal toxicity. The processing and packaging of the fish oil are crucial in determining its quality. Low quality oils may be quite unstable and contain significant amounts of mercury, pesticides, and undesirable oxidized products. High quality oils are stabilized with adequate amounts of vitamin E and are packaged in individual foil pouches or other packaging impervious to light and oxygen. Some very recent research carried out at the University of Minnesota found that emulsified fish oils are better absorbed than the straight oils in gelatin capsules.
Recommendation: Udo's Choice Oil Blend and Life Extension Foundation Arctic Cod Liver Oil |
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)- This is a fatty acid found in oils such as evening primrose oil, borage oil and black currant seed oil. It has been successfully used to suppress chronic inflammation.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, black currant oil was given. The patients that received the oil showed reductions in the signs and symptoms of the disease. According to the researchers, the study revealed that black currant seed oil is a potentially effective treatment for active RA. In reviewing all the published literature on the use of GLA, it was found that it reduced the effects of autoimmune diseases on joint linings and there were no adverse reactions.
Magnesium- Calcium and magnesium are vital nutrients in the fight against arthritis; however, most people consume too much calcium and not enough magnesium. High protein diets, which are normal for many people, contain an abundance of phosphorus, which binds up magnesium and makes it unavailable for the body’s use. Magnesium is necessary for calcium’s proper incorporation into bone, by preventing a build-up of calcium in the soft tissue and joints.
Magnesium should be used in conjunction with calcium in a 2:1 ratio (calcium to magnesium). Our whole family uses magnesium twice a day, and you will be surprised to know that helping your joints is not the only thing that it may be able to do. Below are some of the other things it may help your body combat. In my Father’s case, it got him off blood pressure medication and back walking without any pains in his chest. He is 88 years old, still drives his own car and is sharp as a tack. In my case, it helped me get a better nights sleep. The list of magnesium benefits are infinite as they are directly and indirectly related to a slew of system functions:
- Prevent and treat heart disease, including angina and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Control high blood pressure
- Limit complications of congestive heart failure
- Prevent diabetes complications
- Reduce the symptoms of Fibromyalgia
- Ease muscle cramps, aches and pains
- Protect against migraines
- Relieve PMS (premenstrual syndrome) discomforts
- Minimize the severity of asthma attacks
- Prevent osteoporosis
- Helps with insomnia
Antioxidants- Just as oxidative stress or free-radical damage is an aspect of importance in the development of osteoarthritis, it is a major cause of most chronic degenerative diseases as well as aging. There is also solid evidence that oxidative damage occurs in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Vitamin C and vitamin E supplements have been studied and found to be important in the treatment of OA. If you are deficient in vitamin C, which is common with elderly people, it impairs the synthesis of collagen , the main protein of cartilage. Vitamin E has shown an ability to stimulate the production of cartilage components, such as glycosaminoglycans, as well as to combat the breakdown of cartilage. Diets rich in organic vegetables and fruits are likely to add important antioxidants to the body, however, this may not always be sufficient.
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Selenium- This is an important antioxidant that plays a role in the body’s utilization of oxygen. It is important that you use the most absorbable form of selenium (selenium L-methionine). It is essential for the functioning of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, an important antioxidant whose primary role is the destruction of intracellular hydrogen peroxide and other hydroperoxides. Lastly, selenium plays a key role in metabolic pathways for excreting heavy metals from the body. This will protect your tissues from free radicals.
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Suggested Dosage: Selenium can be toxic in large amounts, so about 200 mcg daily is sufficient. In addition, green leafy vegetables like spinach have bio-available forms of selenium, so eat or juice your greens.
Recommendation: Life Extension Super Selenium Complex
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Alkaline Mineral Supplement- pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The pH scale runs from 0-14, with 0 being the most acidic, 14 being the most alkaline, and 7 being neutral. To maintain our health, our bodies must maintain a pH very close to 7.4, which is just on the alkaline side of neutral. When the body is too acidic as a result of acid forming foods, high fat, mucus forming foods, and toxic food residues, disease and infections multiply. This is particularly true in cases of arthritis and rheumatic situations. The perfect scenario would be to balance each meal with 75% alkaline to 25% acidic to maintain health. Due to society’s increasing consumption of proteins, colas, and other acidic foods coupled with decreasing consumption of alkaline-producing vegetables, alkaline problems are becoming more prevalent.
Acid generating foods include:
- Fruits: cranberries, blueberries, dried fruit
- Nuts & Grains: oats, barley, rice, wheat, white bread, peanuts, walnuts, processed soybeans
- Vegetables: processed corn
- Meat & Dairy: beef, veal, turkey, chicken, ham, haddock, milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter
- Beverage: coffee, black tea, beer, soft drinks
- Other: sugar, chocolate, honey, aspirin, white vinegar
Studies done in Germany revealed that all the patients diagnosed as having soft-tissue rheumatoid arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and other joint diseases were dramatically acidic. When given an alkaline mineral supplement for four weeks, the pain rating dropped an average of 49%.
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Recommendation: Vaxa Buffer pH
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Therapeutic Recommendations: Herbal
Nexrutine- This is a proprietary extract that has a long history in other cultures, but is new to Western medicine. It comes from the Phellodendron tree which is a member of the Rutacea plant family. Interestingly enough, this plant family has played a major role in Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammation, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal discomforts for some time.
In 2004, a double-blind placebo controlled study was done with 28 subjects that suffered extreme joint pain. The group who took Nexrutine, significantly improved on total quality of life measurements whereas the placebo group did not. This is an exciting supplement that has potent anti-inflammatory actions. It acts rapidly to alleviate the pain that is associated with arthritis as well as the joint and muscle soreness associated with extreme physical activity.
Another reason to use Nexrutine is its lack of side effects in contrast to products such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen and other Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS). It is gentle on the stomach and has been shown to inhibit the Cox-2 enzyme (causes inflammation).
Yucca- Yucca extract is made from the yucca plant found in the Southwestern deserts of the US and also in Mexico. Yucca Schidigera has been used by the native Indians for thousands of years and is now being researched further by scientists, doctors, universities and institutes around the world. Yucca has a high content of vitamins A, B-complex, vitamin C, in addition to high amounts of calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron, manganese, and copper.
Yucca also contains a high potency, naturally occurring plant saponin, which gives it anti-inflammatory properties. Yucca acts as a blood purifier that is beneficial in the treatment of arthritis and inflammatory disorders. When 149 osteoarthritis patients were randomly given yucca, saponin extract or a placebo in periods ranging from 1 week to 15 months—the results were that 61% of the patients given yucca noted less swelling, pain and stiffness. For the study, the patients were using up to 500 mg of powdered yucca 2-3 times per day. No evidence of toxicity in lab studies were reported.
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Sea Cucumber (beche-de-mer)- The clinical trials on sea cucumber are preliminary, but so far, the results look promising. These are animals that live on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the substance that they produce help to reduce inflammation, aid tissue repair, lubricate and cushion the joints. It has an ability to balance prostaglandins, which regulate the inflammatory process. It also contains Chondroitin, (mentioned under recommended nutrients) and mucopolusaccharides, which are often lacking in people with connective tissue disorders and arthritis. Some sufferers have had dramatic results taking this supplement, so we think it is worth a try. According to the preliminary studies, a 500-mg capsule 2 times per day was used.
Guggul- Western medicine put this Ayurvedic herb on the map for lowering cholesterol, but it is actually used for a variety of diseases. In the practice of Ayurvedic medicine, guggul has always been used for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, nervous disorders, skin infections, urinary conditions and gonorrhea. An exceptionally recognized Ayurevedic preparation is called, “yograj guggul”, and is used for rheumatic conditions. In animal studies, guggul extract showed anti-inflammatory activity equal to phenylbutazone and ibuprofen and one fifth hydrocortisone. In cases of chronic inflammation, it demonstrated more effective than hydrocortisone, phenylbutazone and ibuprofen in reducing the acuteness of secondary lesions. In an auto immune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks it own tissue and generates an abundance of immune complexes which accumulate around the joint. This causes inflammation, a choking of the blood supply to the joint, and eventually the degeneration of the joint. Guggul extract stops the formation of these immune complexes and stops the hypersensitivity reactions, thereby reducing the inflammation.
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