Nutrition, supplements ease arthritis

I watched Tiger Woods win the U.S. Open this past week despite a painful left knee injury. He played a grueling 91 holes of golf and managed to stay focused on the game even though he was limping. This was an amazing feat, considering joint injuries and arthritis can be particularly miserable with minimal movement. I am often asked to recommend diet or supplements for those who suffer with joint pain due to arthritis.

It is important to note that there are several types of arthritis and dietary studies. Results may be different for each type.

There are more than 20 million Americans with osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, the most common type of arthritis. The cartilage in the joints begins to break down, causing the bones to lose the cushion between them.

There are many diets that are touted to reduce arthritis pain, but most have no basis in scientific studies. Generally, a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is recommended. Good evidence supports the use of olive oil and canola oil and decreasing the use of corn and safflower oils in cooking. Experts recommend three servings a week of fish such as salmon or tuna. Losing a few pounds can help weight-bearing joints such as knees and hips. One study supported the use of a vegetarian diet for arthritis.

Probably the best-known supplement for arthritis pain and symptom relief is a combination of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. The National Institutes of Health conducted a study of more than 1,500 subjects with an average age of 59 to determine the effectiveness of this supplement for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Seventy-nine percent of participants who reported moderate to severe pain showed improvement with the combination supplement of glucosamine and chondroitin. The study participants took 1,500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate in doses of 500 milligrams three times a day. The chondroitin sulfate dose was 1,200 milligrams given as 400 milligrams three times a day.

Participants with mild pain did not notice a significant improvement. Those who took only glucosamine sulfate or chondroitin sulfate alone did not see a change in symptoms.

Supplements you can buy over the counter may differ greatly in their purity and their digestibility. The supplements in this study were manufactured using the same high standards as those for prescription drugs. Choose your supplements wisely, and be sure you are getting a quality product. You may have to take glucosamine and chondroitin for one to two months before you see any results.

Ginger is another supplement that shows promise for reducing inflammation. Ginger can interfere with medications that you take to thin the blood, so check with your health care provider before starting this supplement.

Those who have a diagnosis of gallstones should not use ginger.

Fish oil supplements may be helpful for those with rheumatoid arthritis. Read labels and choose only supplements that have been tested for contaminates such as lead or mercury.