Research on Arthritis

Glucosamine Sulfate

Glucosamine is a product made of crab, lobster and shrimp shells, which some people have been taking for years to relieve joint pain. Significant research shows taking glucosamine supplements actually slows the loss of cartilage, a gel-like substance that cushions joints and absorbs shock. Cartilage degeneration is the hallmark of osteoarthritis, a painful disease that affects 40 million Americans.

A study in the January 2001 medical journal The Lancet reported that in a three-year study of 212 patients with mild to moderate knee arthritis, patients taking a placebo progressively lost knee cartilage. But patients who consumed 1,500 milligrams of glucosamine sulphate each day did not lose knee cartilage. In fact, the glucosamine group had a 20 percent to 25 percent improvement of symptoms.

Essential Fatty Acids - Fish and Flax Seed Oils

Studies indicate an uptake of omega-3 fats-from oily cold-water fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, sardines, lake trout, whitefish), walnuts or flax seed can lessen blood cholesterol levels and reduce arrhythmias and blood pressure. Additional research suggests consumption of omega-3 fats lowers the risk of kidney disease and certain cancers, and can decrease joint pain and morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

In 2001, researchers in Wales published findings on why cod liver oil is effective in easing arthritis pain and inflammation. Their work concluded that the presence of omega-3 fatty acids, as found in fish oil, helped reduce the activity of certain enzymes that cause cartilage damage.