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There are a number of natural arthritis remedies on the market, but which ones really work, and are they really any better than medications?

The first thing we have to keep in mind is that there’s more than one kind of arthritis and different things work for different people.  For the purposes of this article, I’ll be discussing degenerative arthritis (sometimes called osteoarthritis).  As long as it has not progressed too far, degenerative arthritis can not only be helped symptomatically by certain natural remedies, in some cases it can even be reversed to some extent. 

Probably the most popular and most well-accepted natural of the natural arthritis remedies are the “chondroprotective (cartilage protecting) agents” such as glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate.  These compounds form  large part of joint cartilage (the smooth tissue that allows the joint surfaces to move easily) and supplementing with them has been shown by several studies to improve arthritis symptoms and stimulate regrowth of joint cartilage. 

Even so, many people who try these supplements are disappointed with the results.  While glucosamine and/or chondroitin are not effective for every person’s arthritis, one problem with these supplements is that there are a lot of products on the market that are basically junk.  Unfortunately, there is no real regulation of nutritional supplements and many manufacturers put out products with little to no actual glucosamine or chondroitin, despite what the label may say.  While this is more often a problem with the really cheap supplements, even expensive supplements can be essentially worthless.  I have seen many cases in which a patient has been buying the cheapest glucosamine/chondroitin they could find - usually found in huge bottles at warehouse club stores, and have not seen any benefit who rapidly respond when they switch over to a good quality supplement.  Yes, the junk supplements are much cheaper, but are they a good deal when they don’t do any good?

MSM supplements have a dual benefit - MSM acts as an anti-inflammatory (without the side-effects seen with drugs), and also participates in cartilage regeneration.  I suggest using a supplement that combines MSM with glucosamine and chondroitin in order to cover one’s bases.  Here again, I recommend investing in a good quality supplement for best results.

Another good anti-inflammatory supplement is omega-3 fatty acids, which may be sold as “fish oil”, “krill oil”, or may be listed as EPA and DHA (the two main omega-3 fats).  Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for a lot of other health concerns besides arthritis, an the usual Western diet tends to be very deficient in them, so supplementing is a good idea for easing arthritis symptoms, as well as generally reducing inflammation, improving mood, and improving cardiovascular health. These supplements can thin the blood and should be avoided by people taking blood thinning drugs, especially coumadin.

Another excellent natural remedy for arthritis pain and other types of inflammation is proteolytic enzymes, such as bromelain (which comes from pineapples).  Proteolytic enzymes also have benefits with aiding in digestion when taken with meals, but taking them between meals appears to enhance their anti-inflammatory effects.  As with omega-3 fatty acids, proteolytic enzymes can thin the blood and should not be taken by individuals who are on prescription blood thinners.

A variety of other anti-inflammatory supplements and herbs are available and they can be quite effective.  These include hesperidin, quercetin, curcumin, ginger, and others.  Because these products can interact with prescriptions drugs, I recommend that you consult with a pharmacist or your doctor before combining them with any medications you may be taking.  In addition, the herbal remedies in particular can sometimes cause stomach upset, so it is best to take them with food, rather than on an empty stomach.

There are a number of other products that may help with arthritis primarily due to high anti-oxidant content.  Anti-oxidants usually help reduce inflammation, and they have a number of other health benefits as well.  Among the more popular products are those containing Noni or Mangosteen juice.  These can be good products and if you find that they work well for you, they are probably a good investment, but you may be able to get similar, and possibly better results with less expensive products. 

Finally, there is a relatively new product gaining in popularity for treating arthritis called CMO (Cetyl Myristoleate), which is a natural compound found in beef fat.  Purifying CMO is a difficult process and therefore the supplements are relatively costly.  Even so, it sometimes provides relief in relatively severe cases of arthritis where nothing else (including strong prescription drugs) has worked.  Unfortunately there are a lot of “bargain brand” CMO supplements that often have little to no actual CMO in them, so it is very important to only purchase CMO from reputable companies that have independent lab certification of their products.  One other word of warning about CMO is that it can irritate the liver in certain individuals, so it is a good idea to have liver enzymes checked periodically to be safe. 

So how do the natural arthritis remedies stack up agains the over the counter and prescription medications for arthritis.  Well, the chondroprotective products (glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM) not only compare favorably to even the strongest prescription arthritis drugs in terms of long-term symptom relief, they do something the drugs can’t - they help the body re-build cartilage.  As far as the anti-inflammatory products, their effects vary from person to person, much like the effects of the various drugs.  The primary advantage of the natural remedies is that, when used appropriately, as a group they have a much lower potential for risks and side-effects than even over the counter medications.  So, while the natural arthritis remedies may not always work for everyone, I feel they are definitely worth trying, especially before resorting to drugs with a releatively high risk of side-effects. 

In summary, there are several natural arthritis remedies that can provide excellent results for the majority of arthritis sufferers, usually with minimal to no side-effects.  In my opinion, the most important key to getting good results is to only use supplements from reliable manufacturers.  Trying to find a bargain by looking for the cheapest price typically only gets you poor quality products and little to no results. 

Check back regularly on my blog for more information on natural arthritis remedies.

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