Do those supplements for arthritis work?

4 Comments

1. Gary Y says:

   October 5, 2011 at 2:49 am

   There are several types of arthritis so you may need to be more specific. However the evidence is not good for most supplements. Typically available studies suffer from poor design, small sample size, lack of adequate controls and other factors that effect how meaningful the results are. Results are mixed for Glucosamine and Chondroitin, see: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/glucosamine.html

   It’s a tough situation when faced with chronic pain and the prospect of living on pain killers for the rest of your life. Probably best to discuss this with your doctor.
2. Leanne Lucas says:

   October 5, 2011 at 3:30 am

   I assume you’re talking about Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM?

   Without referring to research studies, I will just tell you the physiology of what each component does in the body.

   * Glucosamine – is a component of ligament, tendon and cartilage – i.e. the ‘raw material’ to manufacture those things. Whatever the ‘brand’ of arthritis, there is always cartilage damage (cargilage being the ’shock absorber’ between bones at a joint) – if there is a fair amount of cartilage remaining, glucosamine can help rebuild it. If, however, there is very little cartilage left, glucosamine won’t have much to build on and it’s probably gone too far for it to be useful

   *Chondroitin – articular joints are all encased in a ’sac’ containing fluid – chondroitin helps draw fluid and nutrients into the cartilage (sort of potentiating the pickup of the chonddroitin and whatever else is needed to rebuild/maintain cargilage)

   *MSM – the natural form of sulphur found in the body – it is present in every cell – all cells are filled with fluid – where there is inflammation (and there’s inflammation with arthritis) there is, by definition, extra fluid (a normal part of the inflammatory process). MSM moderates the balance of fluid inside and outside of the cell – therefore, it can help reduce the fluid component of inflammation – therefore, enabling freer movement of joints.

   Omega-3 fatty acids (aka ‘fish oil’) are also often suggested. The common misconception is that, because it’s an oil, it ‘oils’ the joints. What it actually does, is provide the raw material for your body to make its OWN anti-inflammatory substances. Decreased inflammation means decreased pain, decreased swelling, and therefore more freedom of movement. It is not a joint repair agent – merely a natural anti-inflammatory.
   Omega-3 dose? Fish oil usually comes in 100mg capsules here (in Australia) – I usually suggest to my patients that they take 3 capsules per day as a loading dose for three months before decreasing to maintenance of 1-2 caps per day.
   NOTE: If you are taking a non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory (NSAID – not sure, ‘cos you said ‘pain killer’?) it will cut off the process of converting Omega-3 into anti-inflammatory substance – so, in that case, if you wanted to take Omega-3, you need to do it at the opposite end of the day, as far away as possible in time from your NSAID

   Maybe you should get x-rays done so you know the extent of the damage at this point before you decide to spend money on any of these?

   *****
   To ‘Know the Cause’ – thank you for the positive reinforcement – I, too, am of a mind that if we are well informed, we can then truly make choices – knowledge is power and, I believe, like a good wine it should be shared
3. Know the Cause says:

   October 5, 2011 at 4:22 am

   Leanne, Is a breath of fresh air.
4. tod m says:

   October 5, 2011 at 4:29 am

   not well.
   diabetes causes joint pain. Avoid sugar.
   http://www.ehow.com/about_5431999_diabetes-joint-pain.html