Hello, Does anyone know if there are any vitamins that help with arthritis pain?? I heard of Devil's Claw but haven't tried it yet...Thanks!

Vitamin C is great for the immune system period and the Complex B vitamins are helpful.

The supplement glucosamine sulfate is proven effective for arthitis pain and to stop cartilage loss.

Minerals potasssium, calcium and magnesium may help to relieve muscle tension and spasm associated with arthitis pain.

Sam-e may be helpful for some but is considerably more expensive.

~p http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hello to all. I receive treatment at a pain clinic. When I told my physician that I had added glucosamine to my daily dose of vitamins and minerals, he told me something I hadn't heard. Perhaps you have?

He told me that glucosamine was originally made from shark cartilage. He saw on CNN that the new glucosamine is made from the trachea of a cow. He further stated to be sure of the source of that supplement. He was talking about Mad Cow Disease.

Just thought I'd pass that along.

Maybe chondroitin sulfate; but glucosamine sulfate? I find it hard to believe.

There's a fairly long list of supplements for arthritis, mostly anti-inflammatories.

Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera] - also known as 'Indian ginseng' - tonic and immune-booster.

Bovine Tracheal Cartilage - as mentioned by Trying2bhealthier2 - an immune stimulant tested by Cancer Treatment Centers of America; haven't located any published data in the medical journals though.

Cat's Claw (una de gato - accent over the 'n') - initially tested by the National Cancer Institute as a potential leukemia therapy with promising results, later European and South American research confirmed its anti-arthritic properties.

Cetyl Myristoleate [CM] - a fatty acid discovered by a researcher at the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolic and Digestive Diseases. The discoverer went private; no clinical trials available. Several dietary restrictions.

Cordyceps [Cordyceps sinensis] - Chinese parasitic mushroom that boosts natural antioxidant production, specifically superoxide dismutase. Mostly used as a sports/body building supplement and taken in combination with other Chinese 'tonic' herbs. Ancedotal evidence; haven't located any journal articles [yet].

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice [DGL] - Asian anti-inflammatory. DGL is a new form of licorice without the harmful glycyrrhetinic acid that can raise blood pressure. Studies also indicate it's superior to many prescription meds for duodenal ulcers caused by inflammation.

Emu oil - From Australia where it's used as the primary ingredient in soothing balms and lotions. Key component is linolenic acid. [Make sure you spell this exactly - there are several similar sounding amino acids.] Currently undergoing clinical investigation for wound and burn patients to reduce inflammation and speed up healing.

Glucosamine - Currently in NIH clinical trials head-to-head against the current 'gold standard' [Cox-2 inhibitors]. Preliminary results show it works and that the sooner therapy is initiated the better the results in preventing accelerated decline.

Green-Lipped Mussel Extract - From New Zealand and researched in Glasgow [Scotland], showed significant pain reduction along with decrease in joint stiffness versus NSAIDS.

Hemp Oil - Major source of the essential fatty acid omega-3. Omega-3 has been widely researched with good results.

HMP-33 - Europe, a standardized ginger extract containing gingeroles but without potentially irritating shogaoles. The biochemical pathway has been well documented [inhibits prostaglandin formation], which is more than most meds/supplements can claim.

Methylsulfonylmethane [MSM] - Naturally occurring in every part of the body and necessary for almost all biological functions. Key component is sulfur, most often used in combination with glucosamine sulfate. Currently in NIH clinical trials. Controversy - European studies have reported good effects, but early U.S. studies [using different, non-European formulas and dosages] have shown no effect.

S-Adenosyl-L-Methione [SAMe] - as an anti-inflammatory agent based on a 2-year German study.

Sea Cucumber - Asia, now available in Maine [U.S.]. This is the marine source of the glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Used as an anti-inflammatory. Only ancedotal evidence for Sea Cucumber exists, however, clinical evidence for glucosamine and chondroitin is accumulating.

Reishi Mushrooms - China, Japan - immune-stimulant, cardiotonic and analgesic. Texas research shows it's a natural anti-inflammatory agent, esp. good for joint stiffness and pain.

Gamma Linolenic Acid [GLA - this is not the same as the acid mentioned in Emu Oil] - Several U.S. studies show significant arthritis pain/ache and joint inflammation/swelling reduction.

Rhus Toxicodendron [Poison Ivy] - just like capsicasin [pepper], this may help relieve painful inflammation when topically applied. No science literature to back this up for poison ivy, although mounds of articles for capsicasin.

Ginger Extract - combination of specific Indian and Chinese gingers [sorry, don't know which].

Flax Oil - short-term only since it denatures rapidly and can suppress both 'good' and 'bad' prostaglandin production.

Dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA] - Based on an NIH published article noting that DHEA is lower in those with arthritis. As this is an androgen [testosterone] precursor, the safe therapeutic dosage would be much lower for women than for men.

Ascorbic Acid [Vitamin C] - reduces the progression of the disease as stated in a Arthritis and Rheumatism Journal article.

Pregnenolone - steroid hormone, studied mostly before the 1960s. Considered of potential benefit because it's found at significantly higher levels in young versus older people.

Bromelain [from pineapple] - Enzyme that helps heal tissue and speeds up removal of inflammatory waste products from inflamed tissue. [Watch out - as much as 15% of the population is allergic to pineapple.]

Turmeric [Curcumin] - anti-inflammatory for arthritis flare-ups, supported by clinical evidence.

Vitamin D - slows the progression of osteoarthritis, confirmed in clinical studies.

WOW!! Thanks for all the great info!!

Jay Tor, that's quite a list. Are you suggesting "all of the above" or just a few?

There is a great book out called 'The Miracle of MSM'
Dr. Lawrence spoke at a convention recently and sited that for those with RA 'MSM' alone worked extremely well if there was also enough Vit C used. He strongly suggested that when you start on MSM you stick with it for at least 6 weeks before passing judgement on its effectiveness. He also stated that MSM derived from Lugnisol was purer but the others would also work.
For those with OA adding Glucosamine proved to be more beneficial. His clinical research goes back over 35 years and as he states, more than 65% of his patients found relief with the MSM.

Mattsmummum:

The list is a compilation of all of the herbals/ supplements that I am aware of specifically recommended for RA and/or inflamation.

Definitely not a good idea to take all at once. I am unable to tell you which to take together because, with the exception of MSM with glucosamine/ chondroitin sulfates, most have only been clinically studied singly.

However, if the compounds are normally consumed together, such as a curry or Thai dish with pineapple, ginger, turmeric, etc., then taking a low dosage of these herbs may be okay. Same for a combination of a topical treatment [Emu Oil or capsicasin] with a systemic.

Vitamin C is generally safe to take with virtually everything under sun. So is omega3 unless you already consume a lot from other sources; omega3 should be balanced with the other omegas [5, 6 & 9].

Start with the fewest possible products and don't exceed the safe limits for any. In fact, you may want to lower doses to avoid a synergistic [over]reaction. Because herbals generally take several weeks to show any effect, this means that you should wait several weeks before adding any new supplements or before increasing their amounts. Err on the side of caution - keep a list of what and how much you're planning on taking and ask your doctor/pharmacist in advance.

Plus, keep doing your own independent research; I posted the complete names [whenever I had them] for this reason. If you find any contraindications, warnings or a ranked 'best list', post it for the rest of us.

Lastly, check the FDA alerts from time to time for information on any supplements that you're taking.

FDA-CFSAN Dietary Supplements Warnings and Safety Information
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/ds-warn.html

Jay

I was told that chondroitin came from chickens. A friend of mine was collecting the source material for glucosamine before most people knew about it. He was obtaining it from shellfish (mainly lobsters and king crab shells) from the east coast.

Have a loved one on Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM for about a month now, but it is hard to tell if it is working because the OA is progressing to a stage were surgery is seriously recommended.

My Rheumatologist told me *NOT* to take vitamins and supplements because it will make my arthritis worse. He said that arthritis is the opposite of AIDS, your immune system is working too well and is attacking your own body (whereas with AIDS, you dont have enough immune system). So why would you want to take something that will make the arthritis flare up?

It really should be noted that the vitamins/minerals & or supplements that benefit arthritis DO NOT necessarily benefit rheumatoid arthritis. Different types of arthritis are treated EXTREMELY differently. If rheumatoid arthritis in any way benefited from glucosamine, etc., why would drug companies spend BILLIONS of dollars on new drug therapies? There has been NO proof that any natural supplement provides relief to the decrease in our auto-immune function that causes RA in any way, shape or form. I have studied this for the past year in an attempt to avoid medications for the RA (plus I've spent tons of $$ on these products). I've also consulted MANY rheumatologists who basically have said "it can't hurt...the FDA hasn't come forth with conclusive evidence..." etc.

MegHurts:

RA is an auto-immune disease as your RHEUM said. This means that anyone with RA [and any other auto-immune condition] has to constantly perform an exquisitely precise juggling act - keeping RA from flaring while maintaining overall health.

Some of the supplements I listed are undergoing clinical trials for RA because they are not immune stimulants but are substances that the body can use as building blocks for the repair of damaged tissue such as cartilage [e.g. MSM, chondroitin, glucosamine]. Others are for topical use only in that they have a proven clinical track record as effective topical pain relievers [e.g. capsicasin]. Still others are under investigation because they're what is termed 'immune modulators' [quite a few are herbals from India/Asia]. This means that they somehow modulate or interrupt the cytokines involved in autoimmune cascades.

Something else to keep in mind - the term 'arthritis' has been in use for centuries and covers over 100 different conditions. It's only been in the past few decades that medical researchers have been able to distinguish auto-immune arthritis from arthritis due to over-use or injury. If you have an accurate diagnosis you are less likely to take the wrong med and worsen your condition.

Here are two arthritis clinical trials studies that you may find interesting:

Oral collagen for Rheumatoid Arthritis http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/show/NCT00000401;jsessionid=70D381E2C4D898120 48193326521C4E5?order=5

The Role of Cytokines on Growth Hormone Suppression in Premenopausal Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Effect of Treatment with Etanercept http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/show/NCT00034060;jsessionid=70D381E2C4D898120 48193326521C4E5?order=16

The first study is investigating whether providing 'building blocks' will reduce arthritis. The second study is investigating a well-known immune suppressant specifically in terms of its ability to suppress human growth hormone [and another compound] for the purpose of stopping the progression of RA.

If the 'oral collagen' study is a success, Jell-o may be the next hot nutriceutical. Wonder what the shares are trading for - yum!


[This message has been edited by Jay Tor (edited 07-31-2002).]