Arthritis is a common rheumatologic disorder. It is estimated that 40 million Americans and 80 percent of persons older than 75 years are affected by osteoarthritis. Although symptoms of arthritis occur earlier in women, the prevalence of osteoarthritis among men and women is equal. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is largely clinical because radiographic findings do not always correlate with symptoms. Also see rheumatoid arthritis information.

Many Nutrients have been found to be helpful in Arthritis. These Include the following found in Joint Power Rx:
Joint Power Rx Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Because joint pain is so debilitating, Glucosamine and Chondroitin alone are often not enough. This powerful joint formula includes several additional herbal extracts and nutrients that play a role in joint health.  

Joint Power Rx Supplement Facts:
Serving Size: 4 Capsules
Servings Per Container: 30 (1 month)

Natural supplements for arthritis
The most commonly used alternative or complementary nutrients for arthritis are glucosamine and Chondroitin-Sulfate. Several other nutrients and herbs may potentially help reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Hyaluronic acid is taken orally but little research is available on the oral form
Certain herbs to consider include cat's claw or devil's claw.

What causes Osteoarthritis?
The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not fully understood. Multiple factors (e.g., heredity, trauma, and obesity) interact to cause this disorder. Any event that changes the environment of the chondrocyte has the potential to cause osteoarthritis. Although usually occurring as a primary disorder, osteoarthritis can occur secondary to other processes. The pathophysiology of osteoarthritis involves a combination of mechanical, cellular, and biochemical processes. The interaction of these processes leads to changes in the composition and mechanical properties of the articular cartilage. Cartilage is composed of water, collagen, and proteoglycans. In healthy cartilage, continual internal remodeling occurs as the chondrocytes replace macromolecules lost through degradation. This process becomes disrupted in osteoarthritis, leading to increased degenerative changes and an abnormal repair response.

Common risk factors for arthritis
Age older than 50, the older we are the more likely our joints will degenerate

Obesity (weight-bearing joints)

History of immobilization

Injury to the joint

Joint hypermobility or instability

Prolonged occupational or sports stress
Diet (see study below) -- the types of fat we consume may have an influence.

What is the standard medical treatment?
Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications remain first-line traditional drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Salsalate (Disalcid) or choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate) are good alternatives. Agents such as cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (COX-2) and sodium hyaluronate joint injections offer new treatment alternatives. Complementary medication for osteoarthritis use has also increased.
       
Arthritis studies
Safety of Vioxx
An increase in blood pressure may be more likely when the painkiller Vioxx rather than other similar drugs are used to treat arthritis.

Safety of NSAIDS
Just because aspirin, ibuprofen and similar pain relief medications can be purchased at a local supermarket or gas station without a prescription does not mean people should not take basic precautions when using them, according to the National Consumers League and the US Food and Drug Administration. The two groups joined together to launch on Thursday their "Take With Care" campaign to educate consumers about the safe use of nonprescription pain relievers. "Although these medicines are safe when taken as directed, many consumers don't realize the potency of OTC pain relievers," Peter J. Pitts, associate commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration said during the campaign launch. Some of the potentially serious side effects associated with the misuse of over-the-counter pain relievers include an increased risk of liver problems and kidney damage.

High levels of fat and (n-6) fatty acids in cancellous bone in osteoarthritis.
Plumb MS, Aspden RM. Lipids Health Dis. 2004 Jun 18;3(1):12.
Arthritis is strongly linked with obesity and patients with osteoporosis (OP) have a low body mass index. Anecdotal evidence, clinical and laboratory, suggests that Arthritis bone contains more fat. However, conversion of osteoblasts to adipocytes is reported in OP and this would suggest that the more porous OP cancellous bone would have a high fat content. Objectives: To test the hypothesis that Arthritis bone contains more fat than OP bone. Methods: Cores of cancellous bone were obtained from femoral heads of patients undergoing surgery for either Arthritis or OP. Lipids were extracted using chloroform-methanol, weighed and expressed as a fraction of core mass and volume. A fatty acid analysis was performed using gas chromatography. Results: Arthritis bone contained twice as much fat per unit volume of tissue as OP. Levels of n-6 fatty acids were elevated in Arthritis, especially arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6) which was almost double that found in OP. Conclusions: These data support the hypothesis that lipids may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Arthritis and may provide part of the key to understanding why Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis lie at opposite ends of the spectrum of bone masses.

Does the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin in an arthritis formula interfere with the use of yohimbe bark about once a week?
   There should not be a problems if the herb is used once a week.

We will update this arthritis article page as new studies are published regarding the role of natural arthritis herbs.