Arthritis is one of the most common causes of physical disability among adults. The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, affects 1 in 10 Canadians, while rheumatoid arthritis affects 1 in 100. Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage that covers and protects the ends of bones within our joints. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint but usually affects hips, knees, hands and spine. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an immune system disorder in which the body’s defense system mistakenly attacks the joint lining, causing inflammation.
The antioxidant supplement reduced all symptoms by nearly 60%.
Fortunately, there is a growing acceptance in the health care community and the general public that natural therapies for arthritis pain and stiffness are available, and are effective. Here are a few recent developments in natural health research on arthritis.
Cod liver oil
Taking cod liver oil to relieve arthritis and joint pain is a well known folk remedy, but one that may have some scientific merit, according to Scottish researchers. They report that cod liver oil can help reduce the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications in those with rheumatoid arthritis. In the study, people taking NSAIDs received either 10 grams (10 capsules) of a cod liver oil/fish oil blend or placebo capsules. The researchers found that after 9 months, 19 out of 49 people in the cod liver oil group were able to decrease their daily NSAID dose by more than 30%, compared with only 5 out 48 people in the placebo group. They also noted a significant improvement in pain scores in the cod liver oil group compared with the placebo group.
"Fish oil supplementation should be considered in rheumatoid arthritis patients to help them reduce their NSAID intake in order to attenuate the risks of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular adverse events associated with these drugs," said researcher Dr. Bernat Galarraga.
Boswellia
This gum resin is a relative of frankincense and has been shown to relieve pain and inflammation in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies indicate that boswellia blocks leukotrienes, substances in the body that promote inflammation. In a recent study, an enriched extract of boswellia was proven to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis in as little as seven days. Boswellia has been used for thousands of years in the Indian system of traditional medicine known as Ayurveda. This study is the first to prove that an enriched extract of the plant can be used as a successful treatment.
The same authors have previously tested the safety of their remedy in animal experiments. They say that, "In this study, the compound was shown to have no major adverse effects in our osteoarthritis patients. It is safe for human consumption and even for long-term use."
Pycnogenol (Pine bark)
A study published last April shows Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, can reduce all osteoarthritis symptoms by 56%. Moreover, patients required dramatically less standard pain medication, which greatly improved the gastrointestinal complications resulting from the pain medication by 63%.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study sampled 156 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Patients were administered 100 mg of Pycnogenol or placebo, daily for three months. After three months, scores for pain dropped significantly for the Pycnogenol treatment group and no significant effects were recorded for the placebo group. Scores for stiffness were reduced by 53% while scores for physical function were reduced by 57% in the Pycnogenol group and improvement under placebo was not significant. Overall well-being of patients (emotional function) was significantly enhanced with the Pycnogenol group, by 64% and 15% for the placebo group.
In addition, edema decreased in 79% of the Pycnogenol patients and only one percent in placebo-treated patients.
Sources: Rheumatology 2008;447:6659; BioMed Central, July 29, 2008; Phytotherapy Research 2008;22(4):518-23
