Arthritis Help with Supplement Recommendations

I was researching some arthritis help for my mom and came across this very helpful article:

Arthritis Regimen

Summary:  Use NSI ArthriPower Ultra or Enzymatic Therapy Doctor's Choice for Joint Health for repair and to help against pain. Follow the General Maintenance Regimen, using a multivitamin, multimineral, and EFA supplement, ensuring that 100% RDA or more of magnesium is being consumed. For acute pain, use bromelain in large amounts as needed. Follow The Water Cure plus Eat Right 4 Your Type, at least avoiding nightshade vegetables.

The Water Cure should be followed as much as possible to cleanse the joints and muscles.  In any degenerative and inflammatory condition, The Zone Diet works wonders to control pain and for rebuilding. An easy Zone-like diet to follow is to merely avoid all products that contain wheat, limit the consumption of other grains plus starches and sugar, and consume adequate protein and good oils. Eat Right 4 Your Type is even more important than the Zone diet in this case.

Even if one has progressed to the point in the regimen where there is little or no pain, eating a good bit of a nightshade vegetable at one time like tomatoes or potatoes (especially potato skins) may cause an immediate, painful, and long-lasting (1 to 2 week) regression.

The General Maintenance Regimen is used to ensure 100% RDA or more of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. However, if only one supplement will be used (in addition to diet measures and the Water Cure), make it the Enzymatic Therapy Doctor's Choice for Joint Health. It contains many of the vitamins and minerals that are necessary to fight the problem. NSI ArthriPower Ultra has even more glucosamine and anti-inflammatory herb extracts, plus a great deal of microlactin, compared to the Enzymatic Therapy product, but does not contain the minerals that are necessary to rebuild, in particular magnesium. If sufficient magnesium is being taken otherwise, though, the Arthripower Ultra is probably better.

Essential fatty acid supplements are often recommended for arthritic conditions and for good reason. They are excellent anti-inflammatories, but not really on their own. They catalyze the enzyme reactions in the body to produce anti-inflammatory hormones. They do this best when there is sufficient protein in the diet, as provided by the Zone Diet. Combined with sufficient minerals and vitamins, this is the fastest way to control pain and repair arthritic joints. A good EFA supplement to start supplementing is Jarrow Omega Balance. If there is sufficient undamaged omega 6 oils in the diet already, it might be more effective to use a pure omega 3 EPA supplement like Enzymatic Therapy Eskimo-3 or NSI MegaEFA. Although pure GLA supplements like evening primrose oil, borage, or current seed oil can provide some benefits short term, do not use a GLA supplement long term without adequate EPA to balance.  See EFAs and Essential Fatty Acid Metabolism for more information.

If more action is needed for pain control, bromelain (pineapple enzyme) is an excellent product. It is a non-acidic enzyme and can be used in very large amounts. Besides controlling pain, it also provides nutrients to help rebuild arthritic joints. A good amount to start is 4 capsules three times per day and adjust this amount up or down as needed. Bromelain fights pain best when taken between meals, and can also be taken with meals to ensure proper digestion of proteins.

Turmeric extract (also called Curcumin) is an even better inflammation and pain fighter than bromelain is, gram for gram. Unlike bromelain, though, turmeric cannot be taken in the large amounts that may be required for pain control since it can cause stomach burning and indigestion - it is a spicy herb. It is a valuable addition to the regimen, though, and can be taken as recommended, 1 or 2 capsules three times per day. Turmeric extract is also one of the best COX-2 inhibitors. Unlike prescription products, turmeric extract has no side effects taken at recommended dose except for providing exceptional antioxidant protection for the rest of the body. See the Favorite Herbs section for more information.

Adding an EPA essential fatty acid supplement like Country Life Ultra Omegas can also help against pain and provide nutrients for repair.  Although GLA supplements like evening primrose oil, borage, or current seed oil can provide some benefits short term, do not use a GLA supplement long term without adequate EPA to balance.  See EFAs and Essential Fatty Acid Metabolism for more information.

If rheumatoid arthritis, add antiseptic supplements like olive leaf extract or oregano oil until symptoms are gone. This is necessary to control the bacteria that probably play a major role in rheumatoid disorders. It may also be necessary to follow an Antiparasitic Regimen but do not do so without performing The Water Cure..

Rosemary oil used topically can provide relief from painful joints and muscles immediately, when rubbed into the skin over painful areas (do not apply to broken skin or mucous membranes).  If the skin is sensitive, dilute the rosemary with olive oil.  In my experience, rosemary oil is a much better topical than capsicum (capsaicin) plus does not have nearly the potential for skin irritation.   It actually relieves the pain instead of just being a counter-irritant.  Look for Now brand rosemary oil, which costs about $3 per ounce or $10 per 4 ounce bottle.  Only a few drops at a time are necessary. 

For maintenance, use a 1:1 ratio calcium magnesium multimineral like Solaray Cal-Mag Citrate and a good Multivitamin. 

If there is not adequate control of inflammation or a reduction in size of knobby deposits with this regimen after a few weeks, look into high dose vitamin C therapy.  Many with arthritis and other degenerative conditions cannot absorb vitamin C in any but the smallest amounts at first, so start off with a tiny amount and build up slowly.

I knew someone who had a sensitive stomach and could not take any supplements so the only product she used for her severe rheumatoid arthritis was a topical spray consisting of aloe juice (4 oz), rosemary oil (1 tsp), and a little wintergreen oil (4 drops).  After two weeks, she reported a reduction in pain and other symptoms of about 50%, so there is hope for some relief even if supplements cannot be used.

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