Nutritional Help for Osteoarthritis

We will all suffer from some degree of osteoarthritis sooner or later. This is the normal wear and tear and breakdown of the joints that we get over time- This process happens faster with some of us than others .
The current standard recommendation for treatment of osteoarthritic pain is Tylenol for the pain itself which is just a symptomatic measure and provides no protection or healing qualities to the joint but also will not cause stomach ulceration. Additionally weight reduction and gentle exercise are considered helpful.

Where Tylenol is not effective enough in symptom control, we have come to use NSAIDs the most famous of which are ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve). These medications are much harder on the stomach than Tylenol but they do work better for some people in controlling pain of osteoarthritis. They do not provide any protection or true curative value for this condition or for the joints.

We have to look at nutritionals to have some hope of protecting joints and preserving joint health. Glucosamine/Chondroitin in full strength caps three a day appears very likely to protect the joints. In scientific studies 50% to 60% of patients given Glucosamine/Chondroitin experienced an improvement in their symptoms. This is remarkable considering that our joints deteriorate over time. Even the prevention or delaying of deterioration would be considered successful intervention. Studies showed a slight thickening of joint cartilage in patients treated with Glucosamine/Chondroitin compared to a thinning that occurred in the untreated groups. In the long-term in Glucosamine/Chondroitin patients versus NSAID treated patients, the Glucosaisine/Chondroitin took longer to work but at two to three months out had superior results to the NSAID alone. Certainly both treatments could be combined and need not exclude each other.

Some dietary changes may be helpful for osteoarthritic pain. Many people have noticed that increasing fish, pineapple, sour cherries and papaya can be helpful for their arthritis and reducing red meat (pork, beef, lamb) and reducing dairy products may be helpful. The deadly nightshade family of vegetables seems to be an aggravating factor for some people, so reduction of tomatoes, potatoes, melons, pumpkin, squash, peppers may be useful. Reduction of simple carbohydrates especially sugar may be helpful.

If all these above measures are not helpful enough in preventing progression of osteoarthritis and controlling it's symptoms of joint pain, some additional nutritional interventions may be helpful.

Bromelain 500 mg to 1,000 mg twice a day, MSM 1,000 mg four times a day, bioflavonoids 500-1,000 mg three times a day all may be of some value but are less well researched than Glucosamine/Chondroitin,

Vitamin D, which we recommend as Citracal+D or Caltrate 600+D is associated with lower rates of osteoarthritis and may be helpful- We often will also add cod liver oil caps using the amount equal to 100% daily value of vitamin D. Cod liver oil caps should not be taken in addition to any vitamin A containing vitamins as they also contain vitamin A, but the total vitamin D from all sources can be 100% to 200% of daily value (400-800 units) . The fish oil in the cod liver oil may be of some additional anti-inflammatory benefit as well.

vitamin C and E may be of some mild value in prevention of osteoarthritis.

In summary, our nutritional protocol for joint health is as follows:

Phase I
A. Glucosamine/Chondroitin full strength three a day.
B. Cod liver oil caps three small or one large a day (equals 100% daily value vitamin D)
C. Citracal +D or Caltrate 600+D twice a day or equivalent (do not use oyster shell calcium, too many toxins and heavy metals in this).
D. BCEF vitamins two caps daily.

Phase II
A. Add Tylenol - this shouldvnot be combined with alcohol and dosing should bevkept at 3,000 mg a
day or less.
B. If Tylenol is not sufficiently effective, you may substitute an NSAID either over-the-counter such as ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin or Aleve. If these present stomach problems such as ulcers or bleeding (and they can) then a milder prescription anti-inflammatory can be obtained from your physician.

Phase III
A. Bromelain 500 mg to 1,000 mg twice a day.
B. Bioflavonoids 500 mg to 1,000 mg three tiroes a day.
C. MSM 1,000 rag four times a day.

Often the best results are achieved through a combination of these treatments and your doctor can help you decide which are best for you. Excellent improvement can often be obtained with these methods.