Natural, Safe Ways To Ease Arthritis Pain
13 Mar 2011
“Why shoot a mouse with an elephant gun?” I recently remarked to a patient suffering from osteoarthritis (the wear and tear type). She had never been advised to try a variety of these lesser medications before using stronger drugs which may cause major complications.
Vitamin C
I believe this vitamin is the most overlooked natural remedy in treating aging joints. It’s an indisputable fact that vitamin C is needed to produce healthy collagen, a vital component of cartilage. Unhealthy cartilage eventually means bones grind against one another causing pain. Researchers at Boston University Medical Center studied the vitamin C intake of 640 people. They discovered that those with a higher intake of vitamin C were protected against progression of osteoarthritis of the knee and slowed development of knee pain.
Remember, animals make vitamin C and humans do not. Linus Pauling, two-time Nobel prize winner believed that due to this fact humans receive enough C in food to stop dying of scurvy. But not enough to prevent arthritis and coronary attack (see www.docgiff.com) for more information on viamin C). Pauling took 20,000 milligrams (mg) daily. The recommended daily dose is 75 mg. But if you decide to take more of this vitamin discuss this matter with your physician. Large amounts can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
Exercise
If you don’t use your joints you lose them. Exercise is the pumping mechanism that pushes vitamin C and other nutrients into joints to nourish cartilage. I’m convinced that under-use, not just over-use, is the reason why so many people need hip and knee replacements.
Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate
These supplements have been used for years in Europe to prevent and treat arthritis. Glucosamine gives cartilage its structure. Chondroitin works with glucosamine to attract and hold water, providing cartilage with its cushioning effect. Several reports show that patients taking 1,500 mg of glucosamine and 1,200 mg of chondroitin daily with meals had less pain and increased mobility compared to those treated with a placebo. But other reports are less enthusiastic about this medication.
Diet
A sound diet is powerful therapy for any condition and arthritis is no exception. Studies show that a mostly vegetarian diet has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect in improving joint pain. Patients with arthritis should concentrate on complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes and fruits. Omega-3 fatty acids are high in EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and are present in fish oils. They help to ease arthritis pain by decreasing the production of prostaglandins that cause pain and inflammation. Or you can take two 360 mg capsules of EPA twice a day with meals.
MyoMed Cream and The New Patch
Last year I mentioned that a new natural non-toxic cream called MyoMed was available to ease the pain of arthritis ad other painful conditions. Since that time many readers have told me how much this medication has improved their quality of life. How it’s helped them to return to sporting activities or simply made their life less painful. Today, there are over 300 over-the-counter topical painkillers in North America, but 90 percent of them contain methyl salicylate. But excessive use of this substance can result in serious health problems. MyoMed does not contain this substance. Rather, it’s a combination of six natural, toxin-free anti-inflammatory herbs that provides speedy relief. Now, there’s a MyoMed patch with the same ingredients that provide 24 hour relief of pain and available in over 700 health food stores. If you use it please send along the result. You can e-mail me at info@docgiff.com
To my knowledge these natural approaches to treating arthritis hasn’t killed anyone. But in North America every years 26,000 people die from gastrointestinal bleeding due to taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil (Ibuprofen) Naproxen and others. Natural remedies can also have side-effects. After all it was hemlock that killed Socrates! But pound for pound natural remedies are much safer than prescription drugs and it seems logical to try these first.
