Nowadays, several herbal remedies are promoted to treat arthritis, such as turmeric, ginger, Boswellia serrata, devil's claw, willow bark extract and matricaria. Not all herbal products are the same. Some are only available in pill form. Others come in a variety of forms, such as capsules, tinctures, and teas.
Visit the NCCIH website for more information on the success of certain complementary approaches. It also offers a mobile application that provides unbiased, research-based information on the effectiveness of more than 50 herbal products. As a general rule, buy a brand-name capsule tablet, as it will reduce the chances of it containing lead or mercury. Turmeric, a plant in the ginger family, is often used in South Asian cuisine, such as curry.
Contains curcumin, the key ingredient that can help reduce inflammation. To be effective as a supplement or as a food, and not simply to be metabolized and excreted, turmeric must be absorbed with fatty oils, such as avocado or olive oil, and black pepper, which most supplements contain. I recommend that turmeric be part of your daily diet for three to six months to evaluate the benefits. Turmeric supplements can be expensive and inflammation can be treated in other ways.
Therefore, if the pain has not abated after this period of time, we can try something else. Many studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of omega-3 supplements for several inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. For example, a small study showed that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which are mainly found in fish oils, can significantly reduce joint inflammation and tenderness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Most of the patients I see have taken these supplements before with no good results.
For better absorption, I recommend incorporating omega-3s into your diet through foods such as tuna, salmon, sardines, tofu, walnuts and flaxseeds. Collagen is widely available in capsule form, as well as in powder or liquid form that can be mixed with food or beverages. Or you can increase your body's natural level of collagen by eating more foods that contain protein and vitamin C, such as chicken, fish, eggs and citrus fruits. After talking about collagen with several patients and reviewing existing research, I decided to take it myself, in powder form, for about six months and noticed an improvement in a hamstring injury.
This doesn't prove anything and more conclusive research is needed. However, it's worth looking into collagen if you're interested. For example, capsaicin cream, made from hot chili peppers, can significantly reduce joint pain. It lowers levels of substance P in the body, a natural chemical secreted by nerves and inflammatory cells that sends pain signals to the brain.
The benefits of capsaicin cream have been studied extensively and show a 50% reduction in pain after regular use. To see an expert in physical medicine and rehabilitation, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online. Appointment New Patient Appointment or 214-645-8300 or 817-882-2400. This amino sugar is a natural part of joint cartilage.
Taking it as a supplement can help delay cartilage loss, as well as ease stiffness, swelling, and pain. You can find it in capsules, tablets, in liquid or powder form. Your doctor may recommend that you take it in combination with another supplement, chondroitin. This substance is a natural part of the connective tissue of bones and cartilage.
When you take it as a supplement, it can help increase collagen in your joints to help you better absorb shocks. It can also help retain water in the cartilage. This can make the fabric work more smoothly. A little more chondroitin may also help protect you from cartilage loss.
The supplement form comes from animal cartilage. Scientists studying rheumatoid arthritis have found that people who have it often lack vitamin D. Low levels of this essential nutrient can cause chronic pain. When you take it as a supplement, it could help your arthritis treatment work better.
This spice gives curry its yellow color. It may also ease your pain a little. A chemical in turmeric called curcumin blocks certain proteins that can cause inflammation. Over time, it can help your joints hurt less and help you move better.
This borago plant seed extract is high in gamma linolenic acid, a fatty acid that fights inflammation in the body. Daily borage oil supplements can help treat rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and even reduce the dose you need from prescription treatments for joint pain and swelling. S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is a supplement commonly used to help with symptoms of depression and osteoarthritis. The liver naturally produces SAMe from an amino acid called methionine.
It has several functions, including helping the production and repair of cartilage. Turmeric is one of the most popular supplements for treating pain, including joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. Some herbs and supplements can interact with medications, or even do the same, so they can increase the effects of medications. Many supplements intended to treat joint pain contain glucosamine, which is one of the best-studied supplements for osteoarthritis.
The following is a descriptive list of some dietary supplements that patients have used to maintain their health. In addition, there aren't many herbal or supplement tests found in health food stores, on the Internet, alternative treatment stores or fairs, or other sources. Consult a doctor who knows about dietary supplements and can guide you in selecting high-quality supplement brands to improve the safety and effectiveness of your treatment regimen. Most of my patients who say that cherry juice helps relieve pain drink about a glass a day, but you can eat a handful of cherries a day or take supplements that contain pure juice extract; cherries are high in anthocyanins.
Back, joint, and muscle pain (musculoskeletal pain) is caused by a variety of genetic and lifestyle factors. Herbal remedies touted for treating arthritis include turmeric, ginger, the Chinese vine of the god of thunder, willow bark extract, matricaria, cat's claw, and nettle. Some natural supplements can be very effective for certain conditions, and some have fewer side effects. The body converts them into anti-inflammatory chemicals called resolvins that can help eliminate joint stiffness and tenderness.
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil), are often the first choice for relieving joint pain. When taken as a supplement, studies show that SAMe can work as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, in reducing inflammation and relieving pain. Fish oils containing omega-3 fatty acids have been reported to alleviate joint pain and tenderness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. .
