Arthritis: Battling the Symptoms

Oil your joints

  Certain substances show promise in relieving the severity of arthritis symptoms. Oil supplements appear to give relief similar to that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but without unpleasant side effects. Taking 3 to 5 grams daily of omega-3 fatty acids, found mainly in fish and flaxseed oils, may help alleviate RA symptoms by suppressing the immune-system reaction that causes joint inflammation.

  In 1- to 2-gram daily doses, gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found mainly in borage and evening primrose oils, helps ease arthritis symptoms by suppressing production of inflammation-causing prostaglandins. However, Americans consume an excess of linoleic acid, another omega-6 fatty acid. In the body, this breaks down into arachidonic acid, which contributes to inflammation. Consuming a good balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids might help arthritis sufferers reduce inflammation. (For more information on these fatty acids, see Food Product Design's October 1998 Nutrition Notes.)

No tomatoes?

  "The idea that certain foods might exacerbate arthritis is hardly new. As early as the 1960s certain people swore by food-elimination regimens such as the nightshade or Dong diet," says Mary Anne Dunkin in the September-October 1999 issue of Arthritis Today, a publication of the Atlanta-based Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org). "The nightshade diet cuts out all of the so-called nightshade vegetables, which include such common foods as eggplant, bell pepper, potatoes and tomatoes. The Dong diet, even broader, forbids all additives, preservatives, fruits, red meats, herbs, alcohol and dairy products."

  Most doctors, however, consider these diets fads, and an unhealthy way of eating, according to Dunkin. "Nevertheless, if you suspect a certain food, such as tomatoes, is exacerbating your arthritis, it certainly couldn't hurt - or be too hard - to eliminate tomatoes from your diet for a few weeks and see what happens," she says, adding that although a true elimination diet can be a long, tedious process, it is the only way to discover a food sensitivity.

Beyond the multivitamin

  Antioxidants such as vitamins C, E and beta-carotene, as well as vitamin D, might offer protection from certain types of arthritis. "The best prevention and treatment methods for OA include sufficient intake of vitamins D, C and calcium, in addition to weight loss, if overweight, and muscle strengthening," says Conn.

  Vitamins C and D have been shown to slow the progression of OA of the knee. Consuming the Daily Value of vitamin D (400 IUs a day) and a moderate amount of vitamin C (250 mg) has achieved positive results in trials, according to Conn. Vitamin E might also reduce inflammation and even act as a painkiller.

  Both calcium and vitamin D can help protect bones. "This is particularly important for people who take glucocorticoid medications, such as prednisone, for RA, because these medications can cause bone loss," says Conn.

  As for folic acid, methotrexate, a medication used to treat RA, reduces the amount of this substance in the body, so those taking this drug should also take a folic-acid supplement.

  Many arthritis sufferers, particularly those with OA, could benefit from weight loss, and RA sufferers require extra protein - about 1.0 to 1.2 grams per kg of body weight - to make up for the muscle loss that can occur as a result of arthritis sufferers' decreased movement.

Additional therapies

  Although arthritis has no cure, herbs and other dietary supplements can support traditional therapies. Ayurvedic medicine, for example, traditionally combines herbs for greater effect. An herbal treatment might include ginger - studies have shown that it inhibits prostaglandin and leukotriene production, both of which can trigger pain and inflammation; turmeric - also shown to inhibit prostaglandin production, as well as stimulate the creation of inflammation-relieving cortisol; and frankincense, which inhibits leukotriene production.

  Two of the most popular dietary supplements on the market are glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. Glucosamine, a substance found in almost all tissue, plays a part in the repair and maintenance of joint cartilage, stimulating cartilage cells to produce glycoaminoglycans and proteoglycans, cartilage's building blocks. Chondroitin, a major component of cartilage, is believed to inhibit the enzymes that contribute to cartilage breakdown.

  Treatment with 1,500 mg glucosamine and 1,200 mg chondroitin per day is based on the hypothesis that they increase the formative and regenerative effects on cartilage promoted by their naturally occurring counterparts. "There have been positive studies showing that glucosamine sulfate reduces pain in osteoarthritis. However, studies have not yet been completed on using the combination of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate," says Conn.

  Not all treatments are oral, however. For example, some topical creams contain capsaicin. "Capsaicin, a product of cayenne pepper, relieves pain by depleting nerve endings of the neurotransmitter substance P," says Conn.

  And last, but not least, food manufacturers could help those suffering from arthritis in a different way. "As a rheumatologist, I would like food manufacturers to develop packaging that enables easier opening of containers. With a growing older population, this would be a great marketing tool," suggests Conn.