Other Botanical Dietary Suppelements Touted to be Good for Arthritis

Just about three weeks ago, I started taking turmeric capsules for my arthritis on my left knee instead of Naprosin-a synthetic drug prescribed by my family physician. I have just taken it for 10 days and it appeared to reduce the swelling and pain of my knee joints. I was so curious what other dietary supplements are touted to be good for arthritis. The list are as follows and for details read the following site: http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/supplements-herbs/guide/turmeric.php

Here's the list of 30 Supplements: Some names in the list, I have never heard before.

1. Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU): Avocado Soybean is a natural vegetable extract made from one-third avocado oil and two-thirds soybean oil. Get information about benefits, studies and dosage.

2. Black Currant Oil: Black currant seed oil contains 15 to 20 percent gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Learn more about the origin of Black currant and recommended dosage.

3. Borage Oil: Borage seed oil contains about 20 to 26 percent GLA. Learn more about the origin and dosage of borage oil.

4. Boswellia: Boswellia also known as Indian Frankincense may have some everyday benefits in your daily diet. Find out what boswellia may offer.

5. Bromelain: Bromelain is a group of enzymes found in pine­apple that break down protein. Find out the benefits of bromelain.

6. Capsaicin: Capsaicin can be applied as a topical cream, gel or patch, capsaicin works by depleting the amount of a neurotransmitter called substance P that sends pain messages to the brain. Learn more about studies and dosage of capsaicin.

7. Cat's Claw: Cat's claw is an anti-inflammatory that inhibits tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a target of powerful RA drugs. It also contains compounds that may benefit the immune system. Learn more about the benefits and recommended dosage.

8. Chondroitin Sulfate: Chondrotin sulfate is known to reduce pain and inflammation, improves joint function and slows progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Learn more Chondrotin and its' benefits.

9. Curcumin: Curious about curcumin? Get the basics and more on the natural supplement - also known as turmeric.

10. Devil's Claw: Devil's Claw can relieve pain and inflammation and may help lower uric acid levels in people with gout.

11. DHEA: DHEA can help control lupus flares and may help regular the immune system.

12. DMSO: Also known as Dimethyl Sulfoxide, can relieve pain and inflammation, improve joint mobility in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, JRA and scleroderma, and manage amyloidosis. Learn about the usages of Evening Primrose to help relieve arthritis symptoms.

13. Fish Oil: Fish oil is reduces inflammation and morning stiffness. Treats rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, depression and Raynaud’s phenomenon. Important for brain function and may inhibit RA development.

14. Flaxseed: You've heard a lot about flaxseed or flax. But should you add it to your diet to help relieve arthritis symptoms?

15. Ginger: Thinking about supplementing your diet with ginger? Find out more about ginger as a nutritional supplement.

16. Ginkgo: Lots of people supplement their diets with ginkgo (ginkgo biloba), but is it for you?

17. GLA: Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) lessens joint pain, stiffness and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and also eases symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon and Sjögren’s syndromes.

18. Glucosamine: Glucosamine slows deterioration of cartilage, relieves osteoarthritis (OA) pain and improves joint mobility.

19. Green-lipped Mussel: The New Zealand mussels are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and may have the same anti-inflammatory effects as fish oil. Learn more about Green-lipped Mussel extract.

20. Indian Frankincense: It sounds exotic but Indian Frankincense may have some everyday benefits in your daily diet.

21. Melatonin: Thinking about taking melatonin to help with sleep problems? Read more about the hormone, produced by the pineal gland in the brain.

22. MSM: MSM is an organic sulfur compound that is claimed to reduce pain and inflammation. Read more for how MSM can help with your arthritis symptoms.

23. Pine Bark: Pycnogenol (Pine Bark) contains procyandin, a powerful antioxidant, and also seems to inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes, including COX 1 and COX 2. Read on to discover more about Pine Bark and its' benefits.

24. Rose Hips: Rose Hips powder – a rich source of vitamin C – appears to decrease inflammation by inhibiting production of inflammatory proteins and enzymes. Read about studies on Rose Hips, dosage and more.

25. Sam-E: Sam-E has been known to treat pain, stiffness and joint swelling; improve mobility; rebuild cartilage and ease symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), fibromyalgia, bursitis, tendinitis, chronic low back pain and depression. Find out if Sam-E could benefit you.

26. St. John's Wort: St. John's Wort has been to known to act as an antidepressant drug and reduce inflammation and pain. Read about the benefits, dosage and studies of St. John's Wort.

27. Stinging Nettle: Stinging Nettle is a natural supplement that reduces inflammation, aches and pains of osteoarthritis. Find out if Stinging Nettle could benefit you.

28. Thunder God Vine: Thunder God Vine is a natural extract that reduces pain and inflammation and treats symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other auto­immune diseases. Read about its' benefits, dosage and more.

29. Turmeric: Tumeric has more uses than just cooking. Tumeric also reduces pain, inflammation and stiffness related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Learn more about the benefits and uses of Tumeric. This is what I am taking formulated with 10% Black Pepper Extract to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of curcuminoids-the active ingredient in Turmeric. The supplement I am taking is a registered trademark of Sabinsa Corporation*.

30. Valerian: Valerian is claimed to treat insomnia and help ease pain and also has antispasmodic and sedative effects. Learn about the uses and benefits of Valerian.

Personal Note: Remember when taking dietary supplements that FDA has not approved the efficacy or safety of these products prior to marketing. The risk of contamination and poor quality is greater in Dietary supplements compared to Drugs approved via the New Drug Application (NDA) process. In the mid-1990's when I was still working for FDA it was common knowledge that the supplements manufactured in Europe and in the US were more dependable in quality than the supplements manufactured in the East ( mainland China and India). Today, the quality of supplements in general are better and no incidents of toxic contamination had occurred in the last two decades. However, consult your physician before taking supplements and do not exceed the suggested daily dosage. I hope you find the above list useful.

*Sabinsa Corporation, East Windsor, New Jersey is a manufacturer, supplier and marketer of herbal extracts, cosmeceuticals, minerals, dietary supplements and specialty fine chemicals for the nutritional, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries.

It was founded in 1988 by Muhammed Majeed, Ph.D. In October 1995, Dr. Muhammed Majeed, founder of Sabinsa, received the National Award for Quality Products (Basic Drugs) from the President of India.

In 1996 and 1997, the company has been placed in the top ten among New Jersey's top 50 fastest growing technology-based companies (NJ Technology Fast 50 Awards). In 1996 and 1997, Sabinsa was amongst the top 100 companies in the prestigious INC. 500, which is the magazine's annual list of the 500 fastest growing private companies.