Common Hand Problems :: Nutritional supplement for arthritis
Millions of Americans suffer from the pain of arthritis in a variety of joints throughout their bodies. Although there are many different kinds of arthritis, the most common form is osteoarthritis (OA), brought on by degeneration of the cartilaginous surfaces on the ends of the bones. OA can affect any joint, but it primarily affects the larger joints of the lower extremities, such as the hips and knees. This can become very debilitating, and it often forces people to change their lifestyles, activity levels, and sometimes requires the use of a cane, walker or wheelchair.In recent years, two dietary supplements, Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate, have become quite popular among people suffering from OA pain. They have been featured in the book, The Arthritis Cure, and also on some television news programs for their benefits in OA patients. Both are naturally found in your body and are important for normal cartilage metabolism. Glucosamine is thought to be a stimulant of cartilage formation and Chondroitin is said to have a protective effect against cartilage breakdown. Together, they appear to have a greater effect than either one alone, so they are often combined in one pill.
Many people have found relief from their OA pain symptoms when taking these substances, with few side effects reported. A variety of small short-term studies have shown that Glucosamine and Chondroitin may slow cartilage breakdown, and therefore delay progression of OA pain and symptoms. Although there have been a few small studies and a number of testimonials from people that proclaim the benefits of these supplements, a few words of caution must also be emphasized.
Published articles and advertisements for Glucosamine and Chondroitin promote them as a miracle cure for OA, but is it important to understand that they are dietary supplements and not medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not control dietary supplements. Therefore, the rigorous studies to provide information regarding proper dosage and side effects normally done on all FDA approved medications are not performed on these supplements. This means the short and long term benefits have not been proven and are not well understood, nor have any possible harmful side effects been fully researched.
Since these dietary supplements are not controlled by the FDA, the quality or purity of the active ingredient(s) may vary a great deal from company to company, bottle to bottle or even pill to pill. You may never know exactly what you are taking or to what degree the active ingredient is pure.
Furthermore, insurance companies do not cover the cost of dietary supplements and these preparations can become quite expensive. Companies selling these supplements can make unfounded claims about the benefits associated with their use because no scientific evidence is required to back up claims made in advertisements. The bottom line is that more research needs to be done to better understand how Glucosamine and Chondroitin work and how safe they really are.
The Arthritis Foundation does not recommend Glucosamine or Chondroitin as treatments for any type of arthritis, but suggest OA sufferers consider a variety of other remedies. Some treatments that [REO1]are scientifically proven, include weight loss, low impact exercise and use of over-the-counter medications such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Other treatments a physician can help with are bracing, prescription strength anti-inflammatory medications, Hyaluronate injections (knee joint only) and surgery. It is very important to talk with your doctor about all options, including these dietary supplements, to find what may be right for you.
