Supplements for Arthritic disorders

[Hawkwind]

Okay...as promised to Idrial and since Meera and I both have problems along similar lines I thought I should just start a thread for supplements that help relieve the pain and inflammation that accompanies arthritic disorders:

Nutrients:
Essential:
-Boron
3mg daily *Do not exceed this amount.
A trace mineral required for healthy bones
-Bromelain
as directed on label, 3 times daily, with meals
An enzyme that helps to stimulate production of prostaglandins and also helps with digestion of protein
**I can't live without this one!
-Glucosamine sulfate or N-Acetyleglucosamine (N-A-G)
as directed on label
Important for the formation of bones, tendons, ligaments, catilage, and synovial (joint) fluid.
**I have discovered that I prefer a Glucosamine/Chondrotin/MSM combination.
-Pantothenic acid
500 -1,000 mg daily
Especially for rheumatoid arthritis; vital for the production of steriods in the adrenal gland.
-Primrose oil or Salmon oil
as directed on label twice daily. Take before meals.
To supply essential fatty acids that help increase production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Helps to control arthritis pain and inflammation.
-Sea cucumber
as directed on label
A rich source of specific lubricating compounds found abundantly in all connective tissues, especially the joint and joint fluid. It may take 3 to 6 weeks to note an improvement.
**I haven't tried this.
-Silica
as directed on label
Supplies silicon, important for the rebuilding of the connective tissues and formation of bone.
**I haven't tried this.
-Superoxide dismutase
as directed on label
An antioxidant that protects the fluid in the joints from destruction by free radicals. A sublingual form is recommended.
**I haven't tried this.
-Vitamin E
400 IU daily
A powerful antioxidant that protects the joints from damage be fee radicals. Increases joint mobility.

Very important:
-Calcium and 2,000 mg daily (Use calcium chelat form!)
magnesium 1,000 mg daily (Needed to balance with calcium.)
plus copper 3 mg daily (a Cofactor for lysyl oxidase, which strengthens connective tissue.)
Needed to prevent bones loss.
-Zinc (Use zinc picolinate form.)
50 mg daily
do not exceed a total of 100 mg daily from all supplements
Needed for bone growth. Often deficient in those with arthritis.
-Coenzyme Q10
60 mg daily
Increases tissue oxygenation to aid in repair of connective tissue.
-Dimethylglycine (DMG)
125 mg 3 times daily
Helps to prevent further damage to the joints.
-Free form amino acid complex
as directed on label
To supply protein needed for tissue repair
-Kelp or alfalfa
as directed on label
A rich source of minerals needed for good skeletal health.
-Manganese
2 mg daily
Needed for normal bone growth.
*Note! Do not take Manganese and calcium at the same time! They compete for absorption.
-Selenium
200 mcg daily
A powerful antioxidant
-Vitamn B complex*
50 mg 3 times daily
B vitamins work best when taken together. Use a hypoallegenic formula. Good for swelling
*Take with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) plus extra vitamin B3 (niacin) or niacinamide
100 mg 3 times a day. Do not exceed this amount.
Increases blood flow by dialating small arteries.
**Caution! Do not take niacin if you have a liver disorder, gout or high blood pressure.
-Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
50m mg daily
Reduces swelling in tissue
-Vitamin B12 *
1,000mcg daily
-folic acid*
400 mcg daily
*Needed for the formation of cells and the protective myelin, the protective coating surrounding the nerves. Prevents nerve damage.
-Vitamin C
3,000 to 10,000 mg daily in divided doses
Powerful free radical destroyer that also aids in pain relief because of its anti-inflammatory effect. Use the buffered form.
-bioflavonoids
500 mg daily
Boosts the activity of the Vitamin C
-Vitamin K
as directed on label
Helps deposit minerals into the bone matrix.

To be continued...................

[Hawkwind]

Nutrients:
Important:
-Germanium
150 mg with each meal
a powerful antioxidant that also relieves pain

Helpful:
-DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA)
500 mg daily every other week
Good for pain relief
**Caution! Do not take this supplement if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you suffer from panic attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure or PKU.
-Garlic
2 capsules 3 times daily with meals
Inhibits the formation of free radicals, which can damage the joints
-L-cysteine
500 mg twice daily on an empty stomach, take with water of juice. Do not take with milk. Take with 50 mg of B6 and 100 mg of Vitamin C for better absorption.
-Multi-vitamin complex with
Vitamin A 10,000 IU daily
and natuaral beta carotene 15,000 IU daily
all nutrients are needed to aid in the repairing of tissues and cartilage.
-Proteolytic enzymes
as directed on label
To protect joints from free radical damage.
-Pycnogenol or grape seed extract
as directed on label
Powerful free radical scavengers that also act as anti-inflammatories and strengthen connective tissue.
-Shark cartilage/chondrotin sulfate
start with 1 gram per 15 pounds of bodyweight daily divided into three doses. When relief is achieved reduce dosage to 1 gm per 450 pounds of body weight daily.
**I have found that bovine/chondroitin sulfate is superior to shark cartilage...as noted above I also prefer to take it in combination with glucosamine and MSM

Herbs:
-Alfalfa
contains all the minerals essential for bone formation, and may be helpful for arthritis. It can be taken in capsules or in whole, natural form.
*I had great success with the above.
-Cats' claw
-Feverfew
-Ginger
are all good for pain and soreness
*I use ginger frequently
**Do not take cat's claw or feverfew during pregnancy!
is helpful for relieving arthritis pain.
-Cayenne (Capsicum)
contain a compound that relieves pain, apparently by inhibiting the release of substance P, a neurotransmitter responsible for communticating pain sensations. Capsaicin can be absorbed through the skin.
Other herbs beneficial for arthritis include:
-Yucca
*My favorite for relief of inflammation. I use it with bromelain.
-Nettle
*Works well also
-Brigham tea
-Buchu leaves
-Burdock root
-celery seed
-corn silk
-Devil's claw
-Horsetail
-Parsley tea

To be continued.................

[Hawkwind]

Recommendations:

Eat more sulfer containing foods, such as asparagus, eggs, garlic, and onions. Sulfur is needed for the repair and rebuilding of cartilage and connective tissue, and aids in the absorption of calcium. Other good foods include green leafy vegetables, which supply vitamin K; fresh vegetable; non-acidic fresh fruits; whole grains; oatmeal; brown rice and fish.

Consume foods containing the amino acid histadine, including rice, wheat, and rye. Histadine is good for removing excess metals from the body. Many people with arthritix have high levels of copper and iron in their bodies.

Eat fresh pineapple frequently. Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, is excellent for reducing inflammation.

Eat some form of fiber, such as ground flaxseeds, oatbran, or rice daily.

Reduce the amount of fat in your diet.

Avoid caffeine, tobacco, salt and sugar.

Avoid 'nightshade' vegetables (Peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, white potatoes.) These foods contain a substance called solanine, to which some people, especially those suffering from arthritis, are highly sensitive. Solanine interfers with the enzymes in the muscles, and may cause pain and discomfort.
***This is true for me...if I eat any of the above I am practically turned inside out from the pain and muscle cramps I experience afterwards!

Do not take iron supplements, or a multivitamin containing iron.
Iron is suspected of of being involved in pain, swelling, and joint destruction.
Consume iron in foods instead.
**I found this was also true of me. Twice my doctors tried to get me to take iron supplements..each time I was hospitalized with severe swelling and joint pain and cramping in my muscles. I can eat all the spinach and such I want...but I can't touch iron supplements at all!

[Hawkwind]

Please feel free to add in information to this thread that has helped you cope with your arthritis. At this point it is more geared for alternative therapies, but I will welcome reviews of arthritis medications if you have experience with them.

Myself, I've had some success dealing with my fibromyalgia without the use of medications.
(Fibromyalgia is 'lumped in' with arthritic disorders.)

[Idrial]

excellent! Thank you very much. great information.

I found that eating cherries is very good for me, excess fat (salad dressings esp.) trigger flares.

Idrial

[bencozzy]

some newer stuff that didnt get mentioned but seems worthy of looking into

celadrin
cissus rx

and not so new
turmeric(SP?)

[JuliaRobert]

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