Admin
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability in people over 65. It is usually treated with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), but NSAIDs have many potentially serious side effects, and they actually make the condition worse because they inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction. Fortunately, there are lots of natural solutions. Here are the top three:
1. Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine sulfate (GLS) stimulates the manufacture of molecules known as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the joints. GAGs are key components of cartilage. GLS is able to stimulate the production of cartilage and actually repairs joints.
GLS isn’t a pain killer; it kills pain by actually stopping the disease. GLS doesn’t just match drugs as a pain killer, it actually stops the disease’s destruction of cartilage. In a well-designed long-term study, people with osteoarthritis were given 1,500 mg of GLS a day or placebo for three years. In the placebo group, symptoms increased by 10 percent and X-rays showed that the disease continued to increase significantly. But in the GLS group, symptoms decreased by 24 percent and—here’s the important part—X-rays revealed no deterioration at all! This study shows that GLS not only kills pain, but actually prevents further joint damage—the opposite of NSAIDs which contribute to it (Lancet 2001;357:251-56). This study also showed that GLS is safe to take long term and that you can take all 1,500 mg at once, which is more convenient.
A second study confirmed these amazing results. People were given GLS or placebo for three years in a double-blind study. Measurements of joint space revealed continued disease progression on placebo but no progression on GLS. Symptoms also improved significantly more on GLS. Again, this study showed that GLS doesn’t just relieve symptoms but stops progression of the arthritis (Arch Intern Med 2002;162:2113- 23).
Research continues to confirm these results (Menopause 2004;11:138-143; Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2003;1:1-5).
An important addition to this research is a study that found that people who supplemented GLS were 57 percent less likely to have a total knee replacement than people who had received a placebo (Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008 Feb;16(2):254-60).
Another important supplement for osteoarthritis is MSM. MSM is a powerful way of increasing sulfur: important for osteoarthritis. It also reduces pain and inflammation. When people with osteoarthritis were given either 500 mg of GLS, 500 mg of MSM, a combination of both or placebo three times a day, GLS and MSM both significantly improved pain and swelling: no surprise. But the combination of the two improved pain and swelling even more (Clin Drug Invest 2004;24:353-63). So, consider adding MSM to your GLS.
2. Curcumin
There is a quickly and impressively growing body of research that supports curcumin’s claim to be one of the most important treatments for osteoarthritis. Curcumin has proven itself superior to a long list of drugs that are popular for osteoarthritis.
It’s better than ibuprofen. About 80.4 percent of people with osteoarthritis are satisfied with ibuprofen, but the number soars to 91 percent with curcumin (J Altern Comp Med 2009;15:891- 7). And curcumin is not only better, it’s safer (Clin Intrerv Aging 2014;9:451-8).
When you swap NSAIDs, the result is the same. An unblinded study included 139 people with osteoarthritis in their knees. For four weeks, they were given either 50 mg of diclofenac twice a day or 500 mg of curcumin three times a day. At two weeks, both pain and improvement on the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score were the same in both groups: the curcumin was as effective as the drug.
But because of the safety of curcumin, it was actually superior. While 38 percent of the diclofenac group suffered adverse effects, a significantly fewer 13 percent of the curcumin group did. Because NSAIDs cause GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding and ulcers, 28 percent of the diclofenac group required H2 blocker antacid medication. No one in the curcumin group needed it. In fact, the curcumin demonstrated a significant anti-ulcer effect.
As a bonus, the curcumin also had a significant effect on weight loss. This is important because obesity is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis and losing weight helps (Trials 2019;20:214).
The newest double-blind study of curcumin compared it to acetaminophen in people with knee osteoarthritis. Improvement on the WOMAC Index were equivalent, but inflammatory markers improved more in the curcumin group. Significant improvements of 23.59 percent for total score, 32.09 percent for pain, 28.5 percent for stiffness and 20.25 percent for function were seen in the turmeric group. 18 percent of people on curcumin had more than 50 percent improvement in pain and function/stiffness and 3 percent got more than 70 percent improvement: no one in the drug group accomplished that level of improvement. And the turmeric was safer than the drug (Trials 2021 Jan 30;22(1):105).
What happens when you put all the research together? A review of 15 osteoarthritis studies found that curcumin improves pain, physical function and quality of life while reducing the need for painkillers and side effects from drug treatment (Drug Des Devel Ther 2016;10:3029–3042). And a systematic review and meta-analysis of all controlled studies of curcumin for osteoarthritis found that 1 g a day significantly reduces pain and significantly improves the WOMAC osteoarthritis index and that it is as effective as pain meds (J Food Med 2016;19(8):717-29).
The latest evidence comes from two systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The first included 10 studies that compared curcumin to placebo for osteoarthritis of the knee. Curcumin was significantly better for pain relief and functional improvement (Phytother Res. 2021 Nov;35(11):5921-5935).
The second included 15 controlled studies. Curcumin was superior to placebo for improving pain, function and stiffness on the WOMAC osteoarthritis index. Curcumin was not only effective but safe: so safe that it was as harmless as placebo. Compared to NSAIDs, curcumin was superior because it was as effective but significantly safer. Adding curcumin to NSAIDs was also more effective than NSAIDs alone (Biosci Rep 2021;41(6): BSR20210817).
3. Boswellia
Boswellia is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb that prevents decreases in cartilage production. A number of double-blind studies have shown that boswellia helps osteoarthritis (Phytomed 2003 Jan;10(1):3- 7; Drug Metabol Pers Ther June 8, 2020;35(2)). What’s more, an important study showed that boswellia not only improves pain, stiffness and function, it also reduces an enzyme that degrades cartilage by 46.3 percent (Arthritis Res Ther 2008;10(4):R8).
Does that mean that, like GLS, boswellia can actually stop progression of the disease? It does. A recent study again showed that boswellia extract significantly improved symptoms, function and inflammation. But most remarkably, it actually reversed the osteoarthritis: X-ray imaging showed an increase in the space between the knee joints and a decrease in spurs (Phytother Res May 2019;33(5):1457- 1468).
And a just published systematic review and meta-analysis of seven controlled studies confirmed that boswellia safely and significantly improves pain, stiffness, function, maximum walking distance and activities of daily living (BMC Complement Med Ther. July 17, 2020;20(1):225). VR
Linda Woolven is a master herbalist, acupuncturist and solution-focused counsellor with a virtual practice in Toronto, ON Canada. Woolven and Ted Snider are the authors of several books on natural health. For more information, visit www.thenaturalpathnewsletter.com. They are also the authors of the natural health newsletter, The Natural Path, which is specifically designed to help health food stores increase their sales by educating their customers. For more information on The Natural Path Newsletter, contact Snider at tedsnider@bell.net or (416) 782-8211.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability in people over 65. It is usually treated with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), but NSAIDs have many potentially serious side effects, and they actually make the condition worse because they inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction. Fortunately, there are lots of natural solutions. Here are the top three:
1. Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine sulfate (GLS) stimulates the manufacture of molecules known as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the joints. GAGs are key components of cartilage. GLS is able to stimulate the production of cartilage and actually repairs joints.
GLS isn’t a pain killer; it kills pain by actually stopping the disease. GLS doesn’t just match drugs as a pain killer, it actually stops the disease’s destruction of cartilage. In a well-designed long-term study, people with osteoarthritis were given 1,500 mg of GLS a day or placebo for three years. In the placebo group, symptoms increased by 10 percent and X-rays showed that the disease continued to increase significantly. But in the GLS group, symptoms decreased by 24 percent and—here’s the important part—X-rays revealed no deterioration at all! This study shows that GLS not only kills pain, but actually prevents further joint damage—the opposite of NSAIDs which contribute to it (Lancet 2001;357:251-56). This study also showed that GLS is safe to take long term and that you can take all 1,500 mg at once, which is more convenient.
A second study confirmed these amazing results. People were given GLS or placebo for three years in a double-blind study. Measurements of joint space revealed continued disease progression on placebo but no progression on GLS. Symptoms also improved significantly more on GLS. Again, this study showed that GLS doesn’t just relieve symptoms but stops progression of the arthritis (Arch Intern Med 2002;162:2113- 23).
Research continues to confirm these results (Menopause 2004;11:138-143; Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2003;1:1-5).
An important addition to this research is a study that found that people who supplemented GLS were 57 percent less likely to have a total knee replacement than people who had received a placebo (Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008 Feb;16(2):254-60).
Another important supplement for osteoarthritis is MSM. MSM is a powerful way of increasing sulfur: important for osteoarthritis. It also reduces pain and inflammation. When people with osteoarthritis were given either 500 mg of GLS, 500 mg of MSM, a combination of both or placebo three times a day, GLS and MSM both significantly improved pain and swelling: no surprise. But the combination of the two improved pain and swelling even more (Clin Drug Invest 2004;24:353-63). So, consider adding MSM to your GLS.
2. Curcumin
There is a quickly and impressively growing body of research that supports curcumin’s claim to be one of the most important treatments for osteoarthritis. Curcumin has proven itself superior to a long list of drugs that are popular for osteoarthritis.
It’s better than ibuprofen. About 80.4 percent of people with osteoarthritis are satisfied with ibuprofen, but the number soars to 91 percent with curcumin (J Altern Comp Med 2009;15:891- 7). And curcumin is not only better, it’s safer (Clin Intrerv Aging 2014;9:451-8).
When you swap NSAIDs, the result is the same. An unblinded study included 139 people with osteoarthritis in their knees. For four weeks, they were given either 50 mg of diclofenac twice a day or 500 mg of curcumin three times a day. At two weeks, both pain and improvement on the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score were the same in both groups: the curcumin was as effective as the drug.
But because of the safety of curcumin, it was actually superior. While 38 percent of the diclofenac group suffered adverse effects, a significantly fewer 13 percent of the curcumin group did. Because NSAIDs cause GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding and ulcers, 28 percent of the diclofenac group required H2 blocker antacid medication. No one in the curcumin group needed it. In fact, the curcumin demonstrated a significant anti-ulcer effect.
As a bonus, the curcumin also had a significant effect on weight loss. This is important because obesity is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis and losing weight helps (Trials 2019;20:214).
The newest double-blind study of curcumin compared it to acetaminophen in people with knee osteoarthritis. Improvement on the WOMAC Index were equivalent, but inflammatory markers improved more in the curcumin group. Significant improvements of 23.59 percent for total score, 32.09 percent for pain, 28.5 percent for stiffness and 20.25 percent for function were seen in the turmeric group. 18 percent of people on curcumin had more than 50 percent improvement in pain and function/stiffness and 3 percent got more than 70 percent improvement: no one in the drug group accomplished that level of improvement. And the turmeric was safer than the drug (Trials 2021 Jan 30;22(1):105).
What happens when you put all the research together? A review of 15 osteoarthritis studies found that curcumin improves pain, physical function and quality of life while reducing the need for painkillers and side effects from drug treatment (Drug Des Devel Ther 2016;10:3029–3042). And a systematic review and meta-analysis of all controlled studies of curcumin for osteoarthritis found that 1 g a day significantly reduces pain and significantly improves the WOMAC osteoarthritis index and that it is as effective as pain meds (J Food Med 2016;19(8):717-29).
The latest evidence comes from two systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The first included 10 studies that compared curcumin to placebo for osteoarthritis of the knee. Curcumin was significantly better for pain relief and functional improvement (Phytother Res. 2021 Nov;35(11):5921-5935).
The second included 15 controlled studies. Curcumin was superior to placebo for improving pain, function and stiffness on the WOMAC osteoarthritis index. Curcumin was not only effective but safe: so safe that it was as harmless as placebo. Compared to NSAIDs, curcumin was superior because it was as effective but significantly safer. Adding curcumin to NSAIDs was also more effective than NSAIDs alone (Biosci Rep 2021;41(6): BSR20210817).
3. Boswellia
Boswellia is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb that prevents decreases in cartilage production. A number of double-blind studies have shown that boswellia helps osteoarthritis (Phytomed 2003 Jan;10(1):3- 7; Drug Metabol Pers Ther June 8, 2020;35(2)). What’s more, an important study showed that boswellia not only improves pain, stiffness and function, it also reduces an enzyme that degrades cartilage by 46.3 percent (Arthritis Res Ther 2008;10(4):R8).
Does that mean that, like GLS, boswellia can actually stop progression of the disease? It does. A recent study again showed that boswellia extract significantly improved symptoms, function and inflammation. But most remarkably, it actually reversed the osteoarthritis: X-ray imaging showed an increase in the space between the knee joints and a decrease in spurs (Phytother Res May 2019;33(5):1457- 1468).
And a just published systematic review and meta-analysis of seven controlled studies confirmed that boswellia safely and significantly improves pain, stiffness, function, maximum walking distance and activities of daily living (BMC Complement Med Ther. July 17, 2020;20(1):225). VR
