Best Supplements For Arthritis
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You may believe that once you get arthritis in a joint, theres nothing you can do about it.
Thats probably what you saw happening to your grandparents. As they aged, the body they had became an accumulation of nothing but injuries, scars, and pain.
Every time they moved, their movement was restricted and you may have watched some of them become disabled because of knee arthritis, shoulder arthritis or arthritis plus bursitis in the hip.
Most likely, your grandparents with arthritis may have gone to the grave with arthritis. It never went away.
What Is Msm And Can It Help My Arthritis
MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, is a supplement that is used to try to help a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, allergies, and even snoring.
MSM is an odorless and tasteless natural sulfur compound found in all living things. Sulfur is needed by the body for healthy connective tissue and joint function and has purported pain-quashing and anti-inflammatory properties.
While MSM is found in many foods — including meat, fish, certain fruit, vegetables, and grains — it is destroyed when foods are processed. MSM supplements have become increasingly popular in recent years and many people feel they have had some pain relief since taking MSM. Although some studies have reported improvement in pain with MSM, more research needs to be done to support its use as an arthritis supplement.
Those patients with multiple health conditions should be aware that current prescription medication may interact with dietary supplements, and they should consult their doctor so that side effects can be best monitored. Moreover, as with many supplements that have not been studied, the long-term benefits and safety of the chemical are unknown.
Talk to your doctor before taking MSM.
Supplements To Avoid With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Certain dietary supplements can interact with your RA medication and lead to bad reactions.
While some dietary supplements can be a great add-on to your treatment plan, others can interact with your RA medications and lead to bad reactions.
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The idea of taking a dietary supplement for rheumatoid arthritis has its appeal. Natural relief from inflammation and joint pain? Check. Fewer daily medications to swallow? Check.
In some cases, supplements can be a great addition to your RA management plan. For example, curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice known as turmeric, has been proven to lessen markers of RA inflammation, according to a review published in August 2018 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
But the reality is that a number of dietary supplements touted for RA relief may actually do more harm than good.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, some supplements can interfere with the way your body processes other medications you might be taking.
Plus, you cant always trust the labels on supplements. The bottle may claim each dose contains a certain amount of active ingredient, but theres no way to know this for sure, as supplements are not regulated the same way conventional food and drugs are by the Food and Drug Administration .
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Steroid Shots For Arthritis
Medicine called corticosteroids can be injected into the joint to help with swelling and pain. Relief can last for months. More than 2 or 3 shots a year may be harmful. These shots are usually done at your doctor’s office.
When the pain seems to go away after these injections, it may be tempting to go back to activities that may have caused your pain. When you receive these injections, ask your doctor or physical therapist to give you exercises and stretches that will decrease the chance of your pain returning.
The Arthritis Diet And Supplementation Plan
Arthritis is something that affects a lot of people. In fact, its believed that approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 54 million in the U.S. alone suffer from arthritis symptoms.
Rheumatoid arthritis is really autoimmune in nature and actually starts in your gut, which is surprising to a lot of people. So Im going to share with you the top natural arthritis treatments that are effective in terms of diet and supplements. Ill also mention the things you want to stay away from when following the arthritis diet.
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The Best Supplements For Treating Arthritis
If you have arthritis, youve likely taken a lot of time to explore your treatment options. Living with arthritis can be difficult, and any treatment or medication that can offer some relief can feel like a miracle. If youve begun to hear about supplements as an arthritis treatment, you might be curious if these pills are a viable option to relieve your arthritis symptoms. Unfortunately, theres no definitive answer to that question, but heres what our medical professionals at our orthopedic center in Suffolk County, NY, have to say about the different natural supplements available for treating arthritis.
Branched Chain Amino Acids
Branched-chain amino acids are a group of three different amino acids that have a particular chemical structure that other amino acids dont have.
The BCAAs include leucine, isoleucine and valine. BCAAs plus the other 17 amino acids that are building blocks for protein are ones that must be provided by your diet for you to sustain life.
The amino acid leucine is important for muscles to grow. It enhances muscle protein synthesis and increases the amount of strength the muscle has .
BCAAs are also important for good joint function in frail and pre-frail elderly people requiring long-term care.
Japanese researchers put elderly individuals on an exercise program that they werent used to 3 sets of exercises at 30% maximum contraction for five different body parts, one set of aerobic exercise and one set of balance training.
You might think this amount would be enough to kill them! However, it was designed only to make them stronger. The researchers gave 6 grams BCAAs or placebo 10 minutes before starting exercise.
Those who received the supplement were 10% stronger in lower limb muscle strength on the leg press and knee extension and better balance ability .
BCAAs can naturally be found in eggs, meat and dairy products. They are also found in dietary supplements, ones that may be taken by athletes and non-athletes, those who are sick and those who are healthy.
What Happens When You Take BCAAs?
How Do Amino Acids Differ in Those With or Without Arthritis?
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Most Helpful Supplements For Arthritis
What natural herbs & supplements would be the best for you to take for arthritis?
Obviously the answer has to be tailored to your individual needs and nutritional status as well as health history.
One Egyptian researcher went so far as to state that the majority of nutraceuticals studied possess beneficial effects on chronic inflammatory diseases. He believes this is true because food is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory constituents .
However, a review of different clinical research studies tells us what arthritis supplements are making progress for a lot of patients. Lets find out about a few of them right now.
Buying Guide For Best Supplements For Arthritis Pain
Arthritis pain sufferers often seek relief through prescription or over-the-counter analgesics, steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, and heat therapy. While these treatments may be effective in the short term, they can be expensive over time. Some treatments, such as cortisone injections, can actually accelerate tissue deterioration. A popular homeopathic alternative is the arthritis pain supplement. These supplements often include sugar-derived ingredients such as glucosamine and/or chondroitin as well as a sulfur-based product called MSM .
Because supplements targeted at arthritis pain are considered food products and not medication, there are no FDA standards. Some contain therapeutic levels of vitamins or minerals others rely heavily on unregulated ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin. We offer an in-depth discussion of the benefits and potential drawbacks of arthritis pain supplements in this detailed guide.
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Vitamin B Complex Trials For Rheumatoid Arthritis
In this trial, 43 participants with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly allocated to receive 5 mg vitamin B9 with or without 100 mg vitamin B6 once a day for 12 weeks.
- There was no reported difference in change in the disease activity score or number of painful or swollen joints.
- Those who received the Vitamin B9 and B6 combination demonstrated significantly greater reductions in some markers of inflammation.
- No side-effects were recorded.
A trial of low quality. Results of this trial were given a lower weighting when we came to our conclusion about the compound.
Which Brand Of Arthritis Supplement Should I Use
There are many different brands of glucosamine and chondroitin, which are usually sold together as one arthritis supplement. Again, there is no government monitoring to ensure the purity of these products.
In order to assure that you get a consistent dose of the supplements, stick with a reputable manufacturer choose products sold by large and well-established companies. If you don’t recognize a brand name, ask about the company’s reputation, how long it has been in business, and how long the store has stocked the brand.
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Omega Threes And Sixes
Dr. Blum always starts her arthritis patients on high-dose omega-threes and sixes. “The fat you eat goes directly into a whole separate inflammation pathway in the body, and we can really shut off inflammation by taking high doses of omega threes.” She recommends 2,000-3,000 milligrams per day of ETA and DHA , as well as 400-500 milligrams per day of GLA . She encourages patients to make sure the fish oil they select is high quality and labeled as purity certified so they don’t accidentally introduce more contaminants to the body.
Why Its Important To Trust A Hand And Finger Expert
When youre looking for an expert to guide you to the answers and relief you need, its important to trust a doctor with specialized knowledge and training.
When asked about his expertise and training, Dr. Newsum explained, Two important things to look for in your surgeon are whether they are fellowship-trained and board-certified in their specialty. Meeting the requirements means your doctor has had very specific training in the anatomy, pathophysiology, treatments and the latest nonsurgical surgical techniques to heal a number of conditions that affect the arm, hand and fingers, and that they are up to date on the latest treatments. I focus my time on my specialty exclusively in order to provide evidence-based treatment to both adults and children and deliver expert, compassionate care.
And when asked why he loves to do what he does, Dr. Newsum described two motivating factors: excellent mentors throughout his training and career, and helping people quickly regain their functioning again.
Dr. Newsum concludes, We use our hands for everything, so I get to make an impact in peoples lives that makes a big difference. I really think my specialty and subspecialty reflect the core of values of modern medicine: to reduce pain and restore function.
If youre experiencing pain or stiffness in your fingers or hands, turn to our experts for help. Learn more about AdventHealths Hand to Shoulder Center experts.
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How To Prevent Arthritis
Unfortunately, doctors have yet to identify a single cause of arthritis. The condition may develop at any time and without any forewarning. There are, however, some risk factors that you should know. Some of these factorslike age, gender, and family historyare completely outside of your control. However, if you are interested in arthritis prevention, there are some lifestyle changes that you can make. These modifications include:
- Occupational & Leisure Activities: Strenuous jobs and high-impact activities, especially those that require excessive squatting or bending, can trigger arthritic episodes, such as bouts of hip joint pain.
- Smoking: Tobacco users have an increased risk of developing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
- General Health: Overweight or obese individuals are more likely to develop arthritis. In addition, extra weight causes stress on the joints, which can worsen your condition.
- Injury & Infection: When joints are damaged by trauma or spinal infection, arthritis is more likely to develop.
- Diet: While certain foods do not cause arthritis, they can worsen inflammation that is already present in the joints. These inflammation-triggering foods include sugary snacks, processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats.
Why Do People Take Chondroitin
As an osteoarthritis treatment, chondroitin is often used along with another supplement, glucosamine.
The evidence that chondroitin helps with osteoarthritis is mixed. A number of studies seemed to show that it is effective. Researchers found that chondroitin appeared to reduce pain, increase joint mobility, and decrease the need for painkillers.
However, several more recent studies have been less promising. Several found that chondroitin supplements had only a small benefit, if any. If you’re interested in using chondroitin for arthritis pain, talk to your doctor about the latest evidence.
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Benefits For Joint Pain And Stiffness
Positive effects of fish oil supplementation on various disease outcomes, including joint pain and stiffness, have been reported for patients with RA. Fish oil may take up to 3 months to exert a maximal effect, so it may be necessary to prescribe fish oil supplements alongside NSAIDs initially.
A systematic review evaluating the effect of marine fish oil on pain in arthritic disease concluded that patients with RA experienced a reduction in pain with low heterogeneity observed between studies .6
Beneficial outcomes have also been reported in a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials where supplementation with n-3 PUFAs for 34 months reduced patient reported joint pain intensity , the amount of morning stiffness and the number of painful and/or tender joints . Although significant, these differences are very small. Taking a fish oil supplement did not impact doctor-assessed pain .7
Finger Or Hand Splint
One conservative treatment can be a temporary splint worn just at night, says Dr. Newsum.
This can be helpful for individuals who have multiple fingers affected.
Night splints help the hand and fingers rest in a neutral position. It keeps the fingers slightly bent but the hand open. Splinting can be effective for both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, he adds.
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Can You Get Chondroitin Naturally From Foods
Chondroitin occurs naturally in animal tissue, especially connective tissues. Gristle on animal bones is high in chondroitin. However, these sources are much lower than the doses provided in chondroitin supplements. Some chondroitin supplements come from animal sources, like shark or beef cartilage.
Rehmannia Or Chinese Foxglove
What does it do?Chinese foxglove is an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Its used to treat conditions including asthma and RA.
Chinese foxglove is rich in amino acids and vitamins A, B, and C. Its anti-inflammatory properties may also be effective in reducing joint pain and swelling.
Does it work? There arent any major studies to support whether it works. Because its often added to other herbs, researchers have difficulty pinpointing Chinese foxglove as effective.
Dosage: There have been very few human studies showing Chinese foxglove is a safe and effective treatment. You should talk to your doctor before trying this herb.
The following remedies arent directly meant for RA symptoms. But they may still benefit your health.
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Health Benefits And Risks
The Arthritis Foundation states that some supplements may relieve pain, stiffness, and other symptoms of arthritis. It also suggests using supplements alongside arthritis drugs, not as a substitute. Medications are the only scientifically proven treatment to slow joint damage.
A 2020 review on rheumatoid arthritis indicates that some supplements may have beneficial effects. However, research into the impact of diet and dietary supplements on RA is limited.
Furthermore, the AF highlights the importance of consulting a doctor before taking any supplements for arthritis. Some supplements may interact with other medications or cause side effects.
It is also of note that there is little research into the effectiveness of supplements.
Some supplements have different benefits than others. In the sections below, we list supplements and their possible benefits.
Can I Have Too Much Vitamin D
Taking more than 100 microgram of vitamin D as supplement a day can be harmful.
For most people, taking a 10 microgram vitamin D supplement every day will be enough.
Having too much vitamin D from a supplement over a long period of time, can lead to a build up of calcium in the body, a condition called hypercalcaemia. This can weaken bones and can be bad for the heart and kidneys.
If you have any concerns, you should consult a doctor.
Its not possible to get too much vitamin D from sunlight, but you should avoid the risk of getting sunburnt by covering up if you are out in the sunshine for long periods. Sunburn can increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer later in life.
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What Does It Do
The glucosamine in your body helps keep up the health of your cartilage — the rubbery tissue that cushions bones at your joints. But as you get older, your levels of this compound begin to drop, which leads to the gradual breakdown of the joint.
There’s some evidence that glucosamine sulfate supplements help counteract this effect, although experts aren’t sure how.
Some people have also used glucosamine to try to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, allergies, chronic venous insufficiency, sports injuries, temporomandibular joint problems , and long-term low back pain. So far, though, there’s not much scientific evidence that it works for those problems.