Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting your joint health. Other conditions that may affect your joint health include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis and other rheumatic disease. Joint pain, swelling and stiffness are the most common symptoms associated with rheumatic disease, notes the National Institutes of Health. Before using boswellia, bromelain or other supplements to improve your joint health, discuss all supplement-related topics with your primary care provider.
Joint Problems
Joint problems are a common health complaint among Americans. Though traumatic injuries and overuse injuries account for some joint problems, arthritis and rheumatic diseases constitute the majority of joint problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2007 and 2009, 22.2 percent of American adults over the age of 18---or about 49.9 million people---experienced arthritis that was diagnosed by a qualified health care practitioner.
About Boswellia
Boswellia is a branching tree indigenous to parts of India. Purified extracts of the gum resin of the tree are used medicinally to treat a wide range of health problems. According to Dr. Alan R. Gaby, a medical doctor and author of "The Natural Pharmacy," boswellia has historically been used in treating osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diarrhea, dysentery, ringworm and pulmonary disease. It may require further scientific scrutiny to determine this supplement's true effectiveness.
About Bromelain
Bromelain is a combination of protein-digesting enzymes derived from pineapples. In their book "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," naturopathic physicians Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno state that bromelain possesses powerful anti-inflammatory effects and has been used medicinally in treating the swelling, inflammation and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Bromelain has also traditionally been used in treating bronchitis, bursitis, gout, sinusitis, tendonitis and varicose veins as well as post-surgical swelling and inflammation.
Most Effective Supplement
Because of their ability to reduce swelling, inflammation and pain in your joints, both boswellia and bromelain may be effective nutritional supplements. Certain people---especially those suffering from arthritis and other joint problems---may benefit from taking both supplements as well as other supplements that are known to improve joint health, such as turmeric, olive leaf extract, MSM, SAMe and glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. If you are considering using these nutritional supplements, review all possible side effects and drug interactions with your doctor first.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Joint Health and Care
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis
- "The Natural Pharmacy"; Alan R. Gaby, M.D.; 2006
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.; 1998
