Tendons, composed of tough strands of protein, connect muscles to bones. Because they receive very little blood supply compared to muscles and bones, tendons tend to take longer to heal than the tissues they connect. Patience, rest, therapy as needed and gradual return to activities will often heal a case of tendonitis without incident. Targeted nutritional support may help heal torn or damaged tendons. Consult your health-care provider before using nutritional support to treat tendonitis.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, substances your body produces as building blocks for the production of cartilage, are also a popular supplement for joint health. A study published in the June 2007 issue of the journal "Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine" found that, in tissue culture studies. low doses of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, 5 mcg/mL and 4 mcg/mL respectively, over 48 hours increased production of hydroxyproline -- a marker for joint tissue production -- by 132 percent in ligaments and as much as 49 percent in tendons. The researchers concluded that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may help speed tendon repair at doses that are possible to achieve through supplementation.
DMSO and MSM
A study on alternative therapies to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relief of osteoarthritis symptoms found that two supplements, dimethyl sulfoxide, also known as DMSO, and methylsulfonylmethane, also known as MSM, show promise. The meta study -- a review of previously published research -- evaluated data from six studies, four for DMSO and two for MSM, including a total of 850 patients and found that significant pain relief was reported by the patients in half of the DMSO studies and both of the MSM studies. Concern regarding the quality of the studies led the researchers to conclude that more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these results and to determine safety and optimal dosages. The study was published in the November 2008 issue of the journal "Osteoarthritis Cartilage."
Cat's Claw
A study published in the September 2001 issue of the journal "Inflammation Research" demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties of the herb cat's claw for osteoarthritis. In the study, participants took cat's claw at dosages ranging from 10 mcg/mL to 22 mcg/mL for four weeks and reported significant reductions in pain and medical evaluations revealed improvements in function. Benefits were obtained within the first week of therapy. Cat's claw did not improve pain at rest or at night, in this study. The researchers concluded that cat's claw may be effective for treating inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
Vitamins and Herbs
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends several healing and anti-inflammatory supplements, some to promote tissue repair and some to reduce pain and swelling. Vitamin C at 250 mg to 500 mg twice a day will promote the production of collagen -- the protein that tendons and ligaments are made of. Beta-carotene also helps in the production of connective tissue; 50,000 I.U per day for five days in an acute injury is the recommended dose. The enzyme bromelain -- derived from pineapples -- provides anti-inflammatory effects at doses of 250 mg to 500 mg three times per day. Herbs, such as turmeric -- which enhances the effects of bromelain, and white willow are also useful to reduce inflammation. Consult your health-care provider before using these supplements to treat tendonitis.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Glucosamine
- "Inflammation Research"; Efficacy and Safety of Freeze-dried Cat's Claw in Osteoarthritis of the Knee: Mechanisms of Action of the Species Uncaria Guianensis; Piscoya J., et al.; February 2001
- "Osteoarthritis and Cartilage"; Systematic Review of the Nutritional Supplements Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis; Brien S., et al.; November 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Strains and Sprains
- "Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; Collagen Synthesis in Tenocytes, Ligament Cells and Chondrocytes Exposed to a Combination of Glucosamine HCl and Chondroitin Sulfate; Lippiello L. et al.; June 2007
