Re: I am looking for Natural Remedies?

[Guest guest]

Fresh pineapple (not canned), strawberries, oregano, gingerroot, and

pomegranate are natural anti-inflammatories. Also, fish oil. My

husband's nutritionist advised him to avoid saturated fats as much

as possible, and to eat whole foods as much as possible. We buy

almost everything organic and buy grass-fed meat. I can't really

say that it makes a difference because we started eating this way at

the same time my husband started taking his meds, but something has

helped. And, even if it doesn't help his RA, avoiding processed

foods and chemicals should make both of us healthier overall if

nothing else.

Hope this helps,

Cherie

--- In , " crystals_zoo " <crystals_zoo@...>

wrote:

>

> Anyone out there know of any Natural remedies for inflamation? the

meds

> I was on caused bleeding in my stomach and I couldn't take it

anymore.

> I even ate food with them and still I had problems. Are there any

> foods that have an anti-inflamatory effect? Teas? Anything? I

see my

> Rhuemy again next week and I'll ask, but I hope someone here can

give

> some ideas also. Thanks!

> Crystal

>

[Guest guest]

I think cherries too.

> >

> > Anyone out there know of any Natural remedies for inflamation?

the

> meds

> > I was on caused bleeding in my stomach and I couldn't take it

> anymore.

> > I even ate food with them and still I had problems. Are there

any

> > foods that have an anti-inflamatory effect? Teas? Anything? I

> see my

> > Rhuemy again next week and I'll ask, but I hope someone here can

> give

> > some ideas also. Thanks!

> > Crystal

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Arthritis Diets & Supplements: Do They Work? (2008)

Pain from arthritis might lead you to try anything to

relieve it, including a change in diet or taking supplements. Make sure you

know what works first.

By Leanna

Skarnulis

WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Marc

C. Levesque, MD, PhD, MD

By presidential proclamation, we're living in the National Bone and Joint

Decade, 2002-2011, and that means we should be seeing a surge in research into

causes and treatments of arthritis and other diseases.

Meanwhile, many people with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis

(RA) seek relief by buying the latest book or nutritional supplement claiming

to relieve or cure arthritis, or they take advice from a neighbor who swore

that eating gin-soaked raisins eased her symptoms.

How do you navigate this gray area of unregulated therapies to know if what

you're doing can help or harm? WebMD talked with two experts who provided

insight into the claims made for arthritis diets and supplements. ,

MD, is a rheumatologist in Atlanta and medical adviser for the Arthritis

Foundation. Gerbstadt, RD, MD, practices in Pittsburgh and is a

spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

Here's a guide to help you sort fact from fiction:

Diets

Eliminate

nightshades. One of the most common diet claims is that

eliminating nightshades, which include potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and

most peppers, relieves arthritis. This diet probably isn't harmful, but

there are no studies to support it.Alkaline diet.

The alkaline diet presumes both OA and RA are caused by too much acid.

Among the foods it excludes are sugar, coffee, red meat, most grains,

nuts, and citrus fruits. It's meant to be followed for just one month. It

may be that people feel better because they lose weight, reducing stress

on joints, which eases pain. There are no studies to support it.Dong diet.

This restrictive diet relies heavily on vegetables, except tomatoes, and

eliminates many of the same foods as the alkaline diet. There's no

evidence it affects arthritis.Vegetarian diet.

Some people report improvement in symptoms, but evidence is mixed. One

small study of people with RA showed improvement in four weeks, and

follow-up studies of those who stayed on the diet showed continued

improvement after one and two years.Switching fats.

One of the known correlations between food and arthritis is that omega-6

fatty acids increase inflammation, and omega-3 fatty acids reduce it.

Limit intake of meat and poultry, and increase your intake of cold-water

fish, such as sardines, mackerel, trout, and salmon. For salad dressings

and cooking, substitute olive, canola, and flaxseed oils for corn,

safflower, and sunflower oils.Gin-soaked raisins.

Lots of people claim it works, but experts say there's no evidence. Grapes

and raisins do contain anti-inflammatory compounds, but not in amounts

that would be therapeutic. The gin might dull pain, but drinking to excess

sabotages health benefits of nutrients and vitamins, and introduces a

whole new set of problems.Green tea.

Drinking three to four cups of green tea a day could help people with RA.

Studies funded by the Arthritis Foundation showed that giving the

polyphenolic compounds in green tea to mice significantly decreased the

incidence and severity of RA. Human studies have not yet confirmed the

results.

Nutritional Supplements

ASU (avocado-soybean

unsaponifiable). French studies of ASU, derived from avocado and

soybean oils, show it can relieve OA pain, stimulate cartilage repair, and

lower a patient's need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

to control pain. Theodosakis, MD, author of The Arthritis Cure and

champion of glucosamine chondroitin, believes ASU will have a major impact

on treatment of OA. Sold in France by prescription under the name

Piascledine 300, it's available in the U.S. without a prescription.Black

currant oil.

See GLA.Borage oil.

See GLA.Boron.

Population studies show that people who have high-boron diets have a very

low incidence of arthritis, and there's evidence that people with OA and

RA can benefit. The best sources of boron are fresh fruits and vegetables

and, depending on where you live, drinking water.Bovine cartilage.

Taken from the windpipe and trachea of cows, it's supposed to act as an

anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of OA and RA. A few animal and

laboratory studies are promising, but there are no human studies to

support claims. Researchers also think it may promote regrowth of

cartilage.Bromelain.

This substance found in pineapple is supposed to relieve pain and swelling

in OA and RA and improve mobility. There are no studies that show it's

effective by itself, but one study of a bromelain supplement containing

the enzymes rutin and trypsin relieved pain and improved function in 73

people with knee OA. The effect was similar to taking an NSAID.CMO. It's

touted as an " arthritis cure, " but there's no human clinical

evidence to support it.Chondroitin sulfate.

Used for many years in Europe to relieve OA pain, it's been shown to stop

joint degeneration, improve function, and ease pain. One study followed

patients with OA in finger joints for three years, and showed fewer

patients developed further cartilage damage. It can take two months or

more to realize the effects of chondroitin.DMSO. Once

widely used to relieve joint and tissue inflammation, it fell out of favor

when animal studies showed high doses damaged the lens of the eye. Don't

use it without consulting your doctor.Evening primrose oil.

See GLA.Fish oil.

Studies show it relieves the pain of RA.Flaxseed.

There are many good nutritional reasons to add it to your diet, but

studies of its effect on arthritis have shown mixed results. Its

anti-inflammatory properties work best if other vegetable-based oils are

restricted.GLA. Gamma

linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid the body uses to make

anti-inflammatory agents, unlike other omega-6 fatty acids that actually

increase inflammation. It's found in evening primrose oil, black currant

oil, and borage oil supplements. Several studies show it relieves the

stiffness and pain of RA. In one study, some patients were able to quit

taking NSAIDs.Ginger. It's

known to have painkilling and anti-inflammatory agents. Ginger is believed

to reduce joint pain and inflammation in people with OA and RA, and

protect the stomach from gastrointestinal effects of NSAIDs. A clinical

study showed ginger reduced knee OA pain.Glucosamine.

As glucosamine hydrochloride or glucosamine sulfate, this supplement

relieves symptoms for many, but not all, people with OA. It helps the body

build and repair cartilage. In a double-blind study, glucosamine sulfate

was as effective in relieving symptoms in patients with knee OA as

ibuprofen and had fewer side effects. It takes about two months to realize

the effectiveness of this supplement. And it's derived from crab, lobster,

or shrimp shells, so check with your doctor before taking any kind of

glucosamine if you are allergic to shellfish.Glucosamine

chondroitin. Many OA patients get relief by taking glucosamine

and chondroitin together, but it's not known whether the combination is

more effective than taking them alone. That's the subject of a National

Institutes of Health (NIH) study called GAIT (glucosamine/chondroitin

arthritis intervention trial) now under way. The research shows how

effective the supplements are in terms of improving functional ability and

reducing pain in people with knee OA. Results are expected to be published

in 2005.MSM. It's

widely touted for relief of pain and inflammation. Its safety and

effectiveness have yet to be determined.SAM-e. Many

European studies over the last 20 years show SAM-e is as effective as

anti-inflammatory painkillers in treating OA but with fewer side effects.

It works in conjunction with vitamin B-12, B-6, and folate. Claims that

SAM-e repairs and rebuilds cartilage lack evidence, as studies have been

done only in the lab and in animals.Shark cartilage.

Ground-up cartilage from Pacific Ocean sharks is supposed to relieve the

inflammation and pain of arthritis. Animal and lab studies are promising,

but there are no human studies to support claims. Researchers also think

it may promote regrowth of cartilage.Stinging nettle.

Taken orally or applied to the skin, stinging nettle is supposed to reduce

the pain and inflammation of OA. Some studies show that patients can lower

their dosages of NSAIDs by taking stinging nettle in extract form. Two

small studies showed stinging nettle applied topically reduced pain for

people with hip OA and thumb joint pain.Turmeric.

This supplement is used in traditional Chinese and Indian Aruyvedic

medicine to relieve pain, stiffness, and inflammation of OA and RA. A

small study that combined turmeric, boswellia, and zinc showed decreased

pain in OA. Two studies using a combination of turmeric, boswellia,

ginger, and aswangandha relieved pain and inflammation in RA. Its

effectiveness alone is unknown.Wild yam.

Although it contains natural anti-inflammatory steroids, it is likely

they're not in a form the body can use.

Use Caution

Experimenting with foods and supplements is not without risks. " I know

people get desperate enough to try anything, but I would not feel comfortable

eliminating whole groups of food, " says Gerbstadt. " Before you

eliminate any foods or modify your diet, check with a nutritionist. "

" The best advice is to eat a healthy, well balanced diet and stay close

to your ideal body weight so affected joints have less extra weight to carry

around, " says . " Also get plenty of rest and exercise and

decrease stress. "

Be aware that many supplements interfere with or enhance effects of

medications you're already taking. For example, a number of supplements

increase the effects of blood-thinning medication. Check with your doctor.