Supplements

Several nutritional supplements have shown promise for relieving pain, stiffness and other arthritis symptoms. Glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, SAM-e and curcumin are just some of the natural products researchers have studied for osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  

Some of these natural remedies may offer arthritis symptom relief, especially Here’s the evidence on some of the most popular supplementsused to treat arthritis, and how they work.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitinare two of the most commonly used supplements for arthritis. They’re components of cartilage—the substance that cushions the joints.

Research on these supplements has been mixed, in part because studies have used varying designs and supplement types. A large National Institutes of Health study called the GAIT trial compared glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or together,with an NSAID and inactive treatment (placebo) in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Glucosamine improved symptoms like pain and function. A 2016 international trial found the combination to be as effective as the NSAID celecoxib at reducing pain, stiffness and swelling in knee OA.

Fish oil

The polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids found in fish have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3 fats seem to work better for rheumatoid arthritis than for osteoarthritis, most likely because rheumatoid arthritis is mainly driven by inflammation,

A 2017 systematic review of studies found that omega-3 supplements reduced joint pain, stiffness and swelling in RA. Taking these supplements might help some people cut down on their use of pain relievers and avoid their side effects. For mild cases of arthritis, it may be better to reach for the supplements before you go for the ibuprofen. Omega-3s have the added benefit of protecting against heart disease and dementia.

S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e) is a natural compound in the body that has anti-inflammatory, cartilage-protecting and pain-relieving effects. In studies, it was about as good at relieving OA pain as NSAIDs like ibuprofen and celecoxib, without their side effects.

SAM-e has a bonus benefit, too. “The supplement is most useful when you also have depression, because it has a mild to moderate antidepressant effect,

Curcumin

Curcumin is the active compound in the yellow-hued spice, turmeric, which is a staple of Indian curries. In the body, it acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, blocking the same inflammation-promoting enzyme as the COX-2 inhibitor drug, celecoxib.

In a study of 367 people with knee OA, a 1,500 mg daily dose of curcumin extract was as effective as 1,200 mg a day of ibuprofen, without the gastrointestinal side effects.This supplement also relieves RA swelling and tenderness.

Common supplements that may benefit your health include:

Vitamin B12, which can help keep nerve and blood cells healthy and prevent Anemia

Folic acid, which can reduce birth defects when taken by pregnant women

Vitamin D, which can strengthen bones

Calcium, which can promote bone health

Vitamins C and E, which can prevent cell damage

Fish oil, which can support heart health

Vitamin A, which can slow down vision loss from age-related macular degeneration

Zinc, which can promote skin health and slow down vision loss from age-related macular degeneration

No matter what your goal is when taking supplements, one thing is certain: They aren’t a replacement for a nutrient-dense, healthy diet.

Supplements are meant to be supplementary — meaning they enhance benefits already provided by eating a well-rounded diet.

Vitamins and minerals are essential to helping your body develop and function as it should. While most people get all of what’s recommended by eating healthy others need a little extra nutrient boost. That’s where supplements come in — providing you with the support your body needs to stay healthy.

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts.

Plants are made of structural materials and phytochemicals. These chemicals have

properties that not only benefit the plant but benefit people, too,

It takes a tremendous amount of plant material to make essential oils, which can make some of them expensive.

For example:

About 250 pounds of lavender flower make 1 pound of lavender essential oil. About 5,000 pounds of rose petals or lemon balm make 1 pound of rose or lemon balm essential oil .Because it takes so much of the plant to make an essential oil, it’s a powerful botanical medicine,
 

Essential oils can be used in aromatherapy, a kind of complementary medicine that uses smell to improve your health or applied topically to the skin.

Studies have shown that essential oils may help:

        Boost mood

        Improve job performance through reduced stress and increased attentiveness.

        Improve sleep.

Kill bacteria, funguses and viruses.

Reduce anxiety and pain

Reduce inflammation.Reduce nausea.

Relieve headaches.

Here are some common essential oils and their benefits:

Lavender oil

Try adding it to a bath or diffuser as aromatherapy, adding to water to make a room spray or body spritzer, or combining with a base oil to make body oil.

Lavender can help with stress, pain and sleep

Tea tree oil

Most people use tea tree oil as antiseptic or antifungal You can also use it to help with:

Acne. Take a cotton swab and dip it into tea tree essential oil. Then, apply it directly on the acne — this is one                       exception where you don’t have to dilute it,

Athlete’s foot and ringworms. Dilute it with a carrier oil (a base or vegetable oil like coconut or jojoba oil that helps dilute essential oils) and put the blend on the affected skin.
One note of caution: Since tea tree oil can be neurotoxic, you shouldn’t diffuse it if you have small children or animals at home.

Frankincense oil

Known as the “king of oils,” frankincense can help with inflammation, mood and sleep. Studies have shown that it can also improve asthma and might prevent gum disease.

Frankincense oil has a woody, spicy scent and can be used as aromatherapy and can be found in skin creams. Makes sure you dilute frankincense oil before applying it to your skin.

Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil is known to.

      Be an anti-inflammatory and antifungal

      Ease headaches.

      Fight fatigue.

      Lift mood.

      Reduce gut spasms

      Support digestion.

      Support memory.

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus is a great essential oil to have on hand during cold season. It soothes a stuffed-up nose by opening your nasal passages so you can breathe easier. (Peppermint oil can also help with this.)

It can also relieve pain thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Take precautions when using eucalyptus oil, making sure to dilute it before applying topically. It should not be ingested and can have dangerous side effects on children and pets.

Lemon oil

Extracted from the peel of lemons, lemon oil can be diffused into the air or applied topically to your skin with a carrier oil.

Lemon oil is known to:

Reduce anxiety and depression.

Reduce pain

Ease nausea.

Kill Bacteria

Aromatherapy of essential oils like lemon oil might improve the cognitive function of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Lemon oil is safe for aromatherapy and topical use. But there have been some reports that lemon oil can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and increase your risk of sunburn. Avoid direct sunlight exposure after use. This includes lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, lemongrass and bergamot oils.

Lemongrass oil

Lemongrass oil has a strong citrus scent and is known to help relieve stress, anxiety and depression.

Its antibacterial properties make it a good natural remedy to heal wounds and ill bacteria It has been shown to prevent the growth of fungus found in athlete’s foot, ringworm and jock itch.

A study found that using lemongrass oil can help reduce blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes.

Be sure to use a carrier oil before applying to your skin.

Orange oil

Orange oil is made from the rinds of the citrus fruit. It can be diffused into the air, topically on the skin (with a carrier oil) or even used as a natural cleaner in your home.

     Orange oil is known to

      Kill bacteria

      Reduce anxiety.

      Reduce pain.

Orange oil has the potential to make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so be careful about using it on your skin and then going outside.

Rosemary oil

You’ve probably reached for rosemary to add flavour to some of your recipes. But using rosemary oil also has some additional benefits like improving brain function promoting hair growth, reducing pain and stress, lifting your mood and reducing joint inflammation

Rosemary oil is safe to use in aromatherapy and topically on the skin with a carrier oil. If you’re pregnant or have epilepsy or high blood pressure, it’s advised to avoid using rosemary oil.

Bergamot oil

What is bergamot? If you’re a fan of Earl Grey tea, then you have had bergamot. The oil, which has a fruity and floral aroma, can be diffused or applied topically with a carrier oil (but it can make your skin sensitive to the sun).

Bergamot oil is known to:

Reduce anxiety.

Lift mood

Lower blood pressure.

Cedarwood oil

Cedarwood oil, which has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, is a popular ingredient in insect repellent, shampoo and deodorant with its woodsy scent. But you can also use cedarwood oil to help with sleep and anxiety.

You can use cedarwood oil as aromatherapy, as well as a topical treatment mixed with a carrier oil.
 

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD oil, is a medicinal product derived from cannabis. Many of the primary chemicals in cannabis are cannabidiols. However, CBD oils do not contain THC, the compound in cannabis that makes you “high.”

Researchers have recently starting focusing on CBD oil’s effects on several conditions that cause pain, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). So far, the results are promising. Keep reading to learn more about what recent studies suggest about CBD oil as well as tips on how to use it.

What the research says

The first controlled trial to evaluate the use of cannabis-based medicine to treat RA happened in 2006. Researchers concluded that, after five weeks of use, a cannabis-based medication called Sativex reduced inflammation and significantly improved pain. Participants also reported improved sleep, and most of the side effects were mild.

A 2008 study of the use of CBD to treat chronic pain similarly concluded that CBD reduced pain and improved sleep without any negative side effects.

In 2016, another study was done using CBD gel on rats. Researchers again found that the CBD gel reduced both joint pain and inflammation without any side effects.

While all of this research is very promising, the existing studies have been relatively small. Many more studies, especially on large numbers of human participants, are still needed to fully understand the effects of CBD oil and other cannabis-based treatments on RA symptoms.

How does it work?

CBD oil affects brain activity, but not in the same way that THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, does. CBD oil interacts with two receptors, called CB1 and CB2, to reduce pain and the effects of inflammation.

CB2 also plays a role in your immune system. RA involves your immune system attacking the tissue in your joints. So this relationship to the immune system could explain why CBD oil seems to work well for RA symptoms.

In addition, CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects could also help to slow down or stop the progression of RA, which causes permanent damage to your joints over time. These effects could also reduce several other inflammation-related RA symptoms, such as fatigue and fever.

How is it used?

CBD oil comes in the form of both a liquid and a capsule. You can take a capsule by mouth or add CBD oil to food or water. You can also mix CBD oil with your favourite lotion and apply it directly to your skin to help with stiff, achy joints. Some brands also offer therapeutic salves you can apply directly to your skin.

Work with your doctor to figure out the best dosage for you. It’s best to start with a very small dose so you can see how your body reacts. If you don’t notice any side effects, you can try slowly increasing your dosage.

When choosing make sure it’s from a trusted provider and includes a full list of ingredients.

Are there any side effects?

CBD oil doesn’t come with any serious potential side effects. However, you might experience some mild side effects, especially when you use it for the first time. If you have been on RA drugs for some time, these side effects may be more profound. These include:

nausea
fatigue
dairrhea
appetite changes

If you’re considering trying CBD, it’s important to talk to your doctor first. CBD may interact with your current medications or supplements.

CBD and grapefruit both interact with enzymes that are important to drug metabolism, such as cytochromes P450 (CYPs). Be extra careful if any of your medications or supplements come with a grapefruit warning

Is it legal?

Cannabis and products derived from cannabis, such as CBD oil, are legal for medicinal or recreational use in certain parts of the world.

If cannabis is only legal for medicinal use in your country, then you may need a recommendation from your doctor before you can purchase CBD oil. If cannabis is also legal for recreational use, then you should be able to purchase CBD oil in dispensaries or even online.