Your tendons are the connective tissue that joins your muscles with your bones, and they help transmit the force of your muscle contractions to your bones, states Britannica.com. Tendons, which possess significant tensile strength, are composed of thick fibrous connective tissue and are extremely strong and durable. Certain dietary supplements may help to treat your tendon problems. Before using supplements for this health purpose, however, review supplement-related topics with your health-care provider.
Tendon Problems
There are several types of tendon injuries, including flexor tendon injuries, extensor tendon injuries, tendinitis and tendinosis. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that flexor tendon injuries may be caused by cuts, sports injuries and medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand reports that mallet finger, boutonniere deformity and cuts are all possible extensor tendon injuries. Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon, while tendinosis is tendon degeneration without inflammation.
Useful Supplements
There are many supplements -- both herbal and non-herbal -- that may be useful in helping your tendons, or treating tendon-related problems. Expert herbalist Ed Smith, author of "Therapeutic Herb Manual," notes that helpful herbal supplements for strained tendons include St. John's wort, arnica, horse chestnut, wormwood, rue, yarrow and cayenne pepper. Useful non-herbal supplements for your tendons may include chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, MSM, bromelain, free form amino acids and manganese.
A Helpful Supplement
Glucosamine sulfate may be a helpful dietary supplement in treating your tendons. According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," glucosamine sulfate is very important in maintaining the health and encouraging the proper growth of your tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones and synovial, or joint, fluid. Glucosamine sulfate is most often used in treating osteoarthritis -- the most common form of arthritis. Always discuss proper supplement dosage with your doctor.
Warning
Despite the considerable strength and durability of your tendons, tendon-related problems are a common health complaint among Americans. Most tendon problems may self-resolve with rest, although certain tendon problems may require the attention and intervention of a qualified health-care practitioner. Dietary supplements should always be used with the utmost caution when treating your tendon problems, and only under the supervision of a health care professional specializing in sports medicine or clinical nutrition.
References
- Britannica.com: Tendon (Anatomy)
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Flexor Tendon Injuries
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand: Extensor Tendon Injuries
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
