Myositis is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system attacks your body's muscle tissue, causing pain and inflammation. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that myositis, a rare disease, weakens your muscles over time. The triggers causing your immune system to attack your muscles are unknown. Nutritional supplements may be helpful in reducing your muscle inflammation and pain, but you should always understand the risks and side effects of supplements before using them for this health purpose.
About Myositis
Myositis, notes the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, is an umbrella term that describes several unique autoimmune illnesses that affect your muscles, including polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. All types of myositis cause muscle inflammation, which, in turn, causes muscle weakness and sometimes heat, swelling and pain in your muscles. Myositis commonly affects your skeletal muscles, although it may also affect your heart, lungs, joints, skin and intestines.
Myositis Nutritional Approach
The Myositis Association reports that certain nutritional supplements may be helpful in treating your myositis, although few of these supplements may have been extensively studied for this particular health purpose. Examples of beneficial nutritional supplements for myositis include potassium; calcium; vitamins A, C, E and D; glucosamine; ginger; turmeric; fish oil; creatine and coenzyme Q10. Other beneficial nutritional supplements for myositis may include willow bark, cayenne, devil's claw and echinacea.
Featured Nutritional Supplement
Ginger may be one of the most commonly used -- and most effective -- nutritional supplements in treating your myositis. According to the Myositis Association, ginger has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects when used medicinally. Naturopathic physician William A. Mitchell Jr., author of "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that the flavonoids contained in ginger -- the constituents responsible for its antioxidant action -- are best absorbed if this nutritional supplement is taken with food.
Disclaimer
Myositis is a chronic condition that can be difficult to treat. Before using nutritional supplements to help treat your myositis, meet with a clinical nutrition specialist to better understand the risks and limitations associated with this natural treatment method. The use of nutritional supplements in treating myositis does not guarantee a positive health result, and nutritional supplements should always be used under the care and supervision of a qualified health care professional.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Myositis
- University of Washington: Myositis
- Myositis Association: Vitamins and Supplements
- "Plant Medicine in Practice"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
