A tendon is a type of connective tissue that attaches to your muscles and is prone to inflammation when the muscle is strained or injured. Your ligaments are also connective tissues that link your tendons to bones. When you have a torn or injured tendon, you'll need to rebuild the connective tissue to repair the problem. Certain supplements may help to support tendon healing and building, but you should consult with your doctor before taking them to discuss the possible drug interactions and correct dosages.
Identification
Many different conditions and injuries can affect your tendons, causing tears, damage and inflammation. Tendonitis, for example, causes painful inflammation of your tendons, usually due to overuse or strain, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Sprains and strains often occur due to injuries to your tendons, ligaments and muscles, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Tears and injuries to your tendons can cause pain, swelling, muscle spasms and even limited mobility.
Prevention/Solution
Supplements of calcium, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin C can promote healing of your connective tissues -- including your tendons -- and muscles, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You might take daily doses of 1,500 milligrams of calcium, 750 milligrams of magnesium, 15,000 international units, or IU, of vitamin A, and 500 to 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C. Taking 3 grams of L-carnitine each day may help to strengthen your tendons and muscles, while zinc, silicon, manganese and copper all help to support the healing of connective tissues like tendons, says the University of Michigan Health System. Chondroitin and glucosamine both play an important role in building or healing tendons as well. Talk with your physician before taking any supplements to build tendons.
Other Treatments
Certain other supplements may not actually build your tendons, but they may relieve inflammation in the connective tissues. You could take 250 milligrams of bromelain twice daily, 400 to 800 milligrams of vitamin E per day, or 1,000 to 1,500 IU of fish oil or evening primrose oil up to three times daily to ease tendon inflammation, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Herbal supplements like licorice, turmeric and white willow bark can also ease tendon pain and inflammation. Topical applications of herbs like comfrey, arnica and horse chestnut could relieve your tendon pain and inflammation as well, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Other natural supplements sometimes used for treating tendon problems include devil's claw, creatine, citrus bioflavonoids, oxerutins, boswellia and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes -- OPCs, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Considerations
Many other treatments and therapies are used for building or healing tendons. For example, massage therapy, acupuncture, osteopathic manipulation and prolotherapy are sometimes used to treat tendonitis, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Homeopathic remedies like bryonia, phytolacca, rhododendron and Rhus toxicodendron are also used for tendonitis, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Resting, icing or temporary immobilizing the affected limb often helps when you have a tendon-related injury. Discuss all treatment options with your doctor before taking any kind of supplements.
Warning
Like conventional medications, supplements can also produce side effects and drug interactions. For instance, bromelain and other types of proteolytic enzymes can interact negatively with blood thinners like Coumadin and may worsen peptic ulcers, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. Turmeric, white willow bark, boswellia, cat's claw, devil's claw, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids like fish oil and evening primrose oil can also increase your bleeding risks if you're taking blood thinners. Talk with your doctor about these and other health dangers before you begin taking any kind of supplement to build tendons.
