Osteoarthritis is the most frequently occurring type of arthritis, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Its typical symptoms are pain and stiffness in the joints. Osteoarthritis results from the breakdown of cartilage, the elastic connective tissue that covers the ends of bones. Risk factors for arthritis include aging, obesity and joint injuries. Certain supplements may help relieve the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis, but if your symptoms are persistent or severe, consult your physician.
Chondroitin Sulfate
Chondroitin is a biological substance that is a major component of cartilage. Its purpose is to absorb fluid and inhibit certain harmful enzymes. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a number of experiments have shown chondroitin supplements to be effective in decreasing inflammation, reducing stiffness, restoring functional status and easing arthritis pain. However, not all studies have found chondroitin to be effective, causing disagreement among researchers as to the value of this supplement. Nevertheless, the University of Maryland Medical Center states that it appears to be safe when used according to directions for short periods of time. Consult your health care provider about whether chondroitin is appropriate for you.
Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine sulfate occurs naturally in the body for the production and repair of cartilage. The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that glucosamine is likely effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis. To date, glucosamine has primarily been studied in arthritis of the knee, but preliminary experiments suggest it may also be beneficial for arthritis of the hip and spine. Glucosamine supplements usually come from shellfish. They can also be chemically synthesized. Check with your health care provider before using glucosamine to treat arthritis or any other condition.
SAMe
S-adenosylmethionine, usually called SAMe, is a physiologic compound naturally present throughout the fluids and tissues of the body. As a dietary supplement, you can use it for depression as well as arthritis. A paper in the journal "BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders" reports that in a study of patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee, SAMe was as effective in improving function and alleviating pain as celecoxib, an arthritis drug also known as Celebrex. The study reports it is unclear how SAMe works in arthritis. It theorizes that it may increase the production of certain proteins in the connective tissue, reduce inflammation and serve as a painkiller. In order to widely recommend SAMe, more studies are necessary.
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