Supplements for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of joint disorder, is a condition characterized by the deterioration of the cartilage in joints. OA, also known as degenerative arthritis, affects nearly 27 million Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation. People with this joint disorder may need drug therapy to manage its symptoms. However, using dietary supplements for osteoarthritis may be an alternative treatment option for some people.

The Facts

• Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage, which cushions the bone ends in joints. When cartilages deteriorate or wear down completely in joints, bones may rub together and cause pain, swelling, pain stiffness and bone spurs in the affected joints. The cause of osteoarthritis is not entirely known, but there are some risk factors associated with it. These include the aging process, genetics, obesity, joint injury and muscle weakness. It can affect most people after the age of 45. However, OA is usually more common in women who are 55 and older.

  The weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. However, hand joints and the spine are also susceptible to OA. Some symptoms of this chronic disease are painful, swollen or stiff joints. Doctors may treat the symptoms of this condition with medications like analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, there are dietary supplements that may also be helpful for some patients.

Glucosamine/Chrondroitin Sulfate

• Glucosamine and chrondroitin are popular supplements used by many osteoarthritis sufferers. Glucosamine supplements are made from the exoskeletons of shellfish, while chrondroitin supplements are derived from shark or bovine cartilage.

  Glucosamine, an amino sugar, and chrondroitin sulfate, a complex carbohydrate, are natural components found in joint cartilage. There are various studies on these supplements, but many have provided inconsistent or mixed results. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) reports that the National Institute of Health (NIH) funded a study known as the Glucosamine/Chrondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trail (GAIT) to investigate the effects of these two supplements in treating knee osteoarthritis. Test subjects were divided into five treatment groups (see the Resource section).

  Researchers found that a combination of glucosamine and chrondroitin sulfate did provide pain relief for the group of test subjects with moderate-to-severe pain. Since these preliminary findings applied only to this small test group, researchers also concluded that more studies are necessary. However, a group of test subjects with mild pain did not see measurable pain relief when using either a combination of supplements or each separately.

SAM-e

• Manufactured in the liver from methionine, S-adenosylmethionine or SAM-e, is thought to increase cartilage thickness, which may be useful in the treatment of OA. SAM-e is also utilized to treat depression and liver problems.

  The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that clinical trials show that SAM-e may be better than placebos and comparable to NSAIDs in relieving osteoarthritis pain. In another trial, researchers compared SAM-e to celecoxib (Celebrex). Although celecoxib was found to be a more effective treatment for pain relief than SAM-e during the first month of treatment, they were both equally effective in reducing pain after two months of treatment. SAM-e is safe for use by most people, but it can have some side effects and interact with certain drugs.

MSM

• Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is a compound usually obtained from foods, like fruits and green plants. It is also found in the adrenal glands. MSM is purported to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The results of two preliminary clinical trials on MSM's effectiveness in treating OA indicated that there was some modest reduction of pain and swelling, but joint stiffness was not relieved. Because there is limited research on MSM, more studies are necessary before MSM can be recommended for the treatment of OA.

Consideration

• There are also many herbal supplements, which purportedly can help with the symptoms of osteoarthritis. These include devil's claw, turmeric, ginger and stinging nettle. Devil's claw may have anti-inflammatory properties that may help with OA pain. While devil's claw and these other products may appear promising for the treatment of OA, more clinical trials are required to recommend them for this particular use.

  Although dietary and herbal supplements may be beneficial for some osteoarthritis patients, it is also important to remember that many other patients may need conventional treatments, like physical therapy, prescription or nonprescription drugs, steroid injection or joint replacement surgery. Depending on the symptoms and stages of osteoarthritis, doctors can recommend various treatments.

  Most of these supplements are considered safe, but you should consult your doctor before using any alternative treatments for osteoarthritis.