JOINT HEALTH
Before we begin, take a moment and think about all the medications we see popping up in our every day lives. Blood pressure medication advertisements to rheumatoid arthritis medication commercials, and even ads telling us about that little blue pill. However, even with all the medications we see every day, we rarely or never see commercials or ads about those over the counter (OTC) medications or supplements that may give you some relief with certain diseases, including that pesky arthritis. According to a study conducted by the CDC through the years 2021 to 2023, it’s estimated that 53.2 million Americans or 21.2% of the entire adult population suffers from arthritis (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention [CDC],2023). That’s 1 in 5 American adults suffering from arthritis!
Now, we’ve all heard of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs (ie. Meloxicam, Celebrex, Ibuprofen, Advil, and Aleve) that decrease our pain and reduce the swelling in our arthritic joints, but what if there were additional medications or supplements you could be taking. Listed below are a few supplements that you can take and a brief description of them so you can decide if these are right for you.
1. Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Glucosamine and Chondroitin are both natural compounds found in cartilage. Glucosamine itself helps build cartilage while chondroitin helps with cartilage elasticity. These supplements, often combined, have been shown to decrease joint pain, stiffness, and may also help maintain cartilage structure by reducing cartilage breakdown. Typically, these two supplements are best utilized for osteoarthritis or OA.
2. Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil): Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that our human bodies cannot produce on their own and need to be obtained from dietary measures, typically found in fatty fish or supplements. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the production of key inflammatory markers, which in turn reduces joint stiffness and pain overall. The utilization of Fish Oil supplements has shown the possibility of reduced NSAID need. Typically, fish oil is best for rheumatoid arthritis or RA but has shown benefits for OA as well.
3. Turmeric: Turmeric may be one of the more known supplements when it comes to treating arthritis, however not many people know what it is or how it works. Turmeric is a spice derived from the Turmeric plant root and contains curcumin which is the active anti-inflammatory element of Turmeric itself. The active element curcumin helps by blocking inflammatory pathways in the body decreasing overall inflammation, which in turn reduces pain. Best utilized for OA but can also aid in RA as well.
4. SAM-e (S-adenosylmethoinine): SAM-e is a compound made up of the amino acid methionine and an energy molecule. This mixture is endogenous, meaning it is naturally occurring within the human body but can also be supplemented due to its benefits, particularly for joint health. It has been shown that SAM-e is particularly beneficial in cartilage production and inflammation reduction, both of which vastly help arthritis in all its forms. One side benefit of SAM-e is that it also is used as a natural anti-depressant because it is involved in the creation of the chemicals dopamine and serotonin (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health [NCCIH], 2022).
Disclaimer: If you do decide to start one of these supplements to aid in the treatment of your arthritis, I would always consult your primary care physician (PCP) if you are taking other medications, specifically blood thinners, diabetes medication or immunosuppressants. In addition to consulting your PCP, make sure you’re receiving your supplements from a reputable source that utilizes third party testing to ensure the quality, purity and safety of the supplements overall. These supplements are not FDA regulated and what it reads on the bottle as ingredients may not be accurate.
Citations:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, October 13). Prevalence of arthritis among adults — United States, 2019–2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(41), 1113–1119.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2022, August). S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe): In depth. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
