Supplements for Osteoarthritis?

cookingvitamins and supplements
Written By Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the United States and is also a major cause of disability, impaired quality of life and increased health care cost.1 It is typically treated with aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). However, current drugs used to treat OA treat the symptoms; they do not slow its progression.2 NSAIDS can cause gastrointesinal bleeding and other adverse side effects.

Obesity, smoking and trauma to joints all appear to increase the risk of developing OA with increasing age. Women appear more susceptible to the development of OA than men and high-heels may increase the risk of OA of the knee.3
Glucosamine and chrondoitin sulfate are two promising nutraceutical agents that have been widely touted as treatments for OA. In animals both of these substances have been shown to help repair damage to cartilage.4, 5 These two building blocks of cartilage have also shown beneficial effects in reducing joint inflammation. In double-blind controlled human trials these two supplements have been shown to reduce joint pain at least as well as NSAIDS.6 The NIH is currently conducting a long-term study to determine if these supplements can slow the progression of the disease in humans and if they have any adverse side effects. The typical dose used is 500 mg of glucosamine 3X/d and 400 mg of chrondoitin 3X/d.One other nutraceutical has shown some promise in treating OA. One small study found that 500 mg of niacinamide 6X/d for 12 weeks reduced inflammation and improved joint flexibility modestly compared to a placebo.7 It is clear that more research is needed before glucosamine, chrondoitin and/or niacinamide should be routinely used to treat people with OA. However, prelimiary research suggests that they may be modestly effective and appear to have less adverse effects than NSAIDS. For this reason they may be worth trying, particlarly in a patient that does not tolerate NSAIDS.By Dr. James J. Kenney, PhD, RD, FACN.1. Guccione AA, Felson DT, Anderson JJ, et al. Am J Public Health. 1994;84:351-82. Altman RD. Am J Med 1987;83:65-93. Keerigan DC, Todd MK, Riley PO. Lancet 1998;351:1399-14014. Setnikar I, Pacini MA, Revel L. Arzneimittelforschung 1991;41:542-55. Uebelhart D, Thonar EJ, Zhang J, Williams J. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 1998;6(suppl A):6-136. McAlindon TE, LaValley MP, Gulin JP, Felson DT. JAMA. 2000;283:1469-757. Jonas WB, Rapoza CP, Blair WF. Inflamm Res 1996;45:330-4
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Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

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