There are a number of people who are concerned about NSAIDs since the popular drugs valdecoxib and rofecoxib were pulled by the FDA.
Since then, the FDA has also increased its warnings regarding NSAID usage for long term chronic conditions.
The FDA warns that the long term use of NSAIDs may increase your risk for stroke, heart attack and for gastrointestinal bleeding.
With those warnings, many with arthritis are now looking for alternative for arthritis.
There are two things to keep in mind when looking at other lines of defense against the inflammation associated with arthritis.
First, any time that you add anything to your regiment, including natural supplements or herbal remedies, be sure to check with your doctor first.
It is the safest as they will know whether or not there would be any concern for interaction with any other medication you are currently taking.
The second thing to remember is that alternative or natural remedies can take up to eight weeks to see a marked improvement.
This is a small list of natural remedies that are being researched and have been found useful in some cases by various research foundations including the Program of Integrative Medicine out of Arizona and the Natropauth Research Institute.
1.
Phenylanine.
This is basically an amino acid that when absorbed helps promote two neurotransmitters.
Dopamine and norepinephrine.
It is known that both of these increase the level of endorphins in the the brain which relieves pain.
For the maximum benefit it is recommended to take 1,000 mg of DL- Phenylalanine twice a day on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes prior to any meal.
2.
Methysolfonyl methane (MSM).
This is a non toxic sulfur compound that has shown benefits in anti inflammatory properties on the body.
Although not fully researched, it is seen to show benefits when taken at 8,000 mg divided over three times a day and is considered completely safe with no side effects seen.
3.
Magnesium.
Magnesium is critical for carrying out nerve and muscle impulses.
It releases energy into the cells.
Most people with arthritis are deficient in magnesium.
It is recommended to try 300 600 mg of magnesium along with 1,200 to 2,400 mg of malic acid.
4.
Glucosamine.
Derived from cartilage this is shown to ease pain in joints.
In the New England Journal of Medicine which did a landmark study of Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate the combination showed relief to nearly 350 of the 1,600 patients that suffered mild to severe arthritic pain.
It is recommended to take 1,500 mg of gluosamine with 1,200 mg of chondrotin divided into three times a day.
5.
Capsaicin cremes.
Capsaicin is derived from hot peppers and can be used in a creme form as an effective alternative.
Used externally it depletes Substance P over time which is elevate in anyone who suffers chronic pain.
6.
SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine).
This is compound that is naturally in our tissues.
It has shown in one study in California to reduce pain as well as the well known drug celecoxib.
They studies 400 mg twice a day and then after two weeks decreasing to 200 mg twice a day.
Caution though this drug does has some side effects, so be sure to discuss with your doctor before trying this remedy.
There are a multitude of other products on the market that claim to do many things.
The most important recommendation that can be made, is whether the product is herbal, topical, alternative or over the counter remedies, is to discuss all options with your health care team before hand.
Since then, the FDA has also increased its warnings regarding NSAID usage for long term chronic conditions.
The FDA warns that the long term use of NSAIDs may increase your risk for stroke, heart attack and for gastrointestinal bleeding.
With those warnings, many with arthritis are now looking for alternative for arthritis.
There are two things to keep in mind when looking at other lines of defense against the inflammation associated with arthritis.
First, any time that you add anything to your regiment, including natural supplements or herbal remedies, be sure to check with your doctor first.
It is the safest as they will know whether or not there would be any concern for interaction with any other medication you are currently taking.
The second thing to remember is that alternative or natural remedies can take up to eight weeks to see a marked improvement.
This is a small list of natural remedies that are being researched and have been found useful in some cases by various research foundations including the Program of Integrative Medicine out of Arizona and the Natropauth Research Institute.
1.
Phenylanine.
This is basically an amino acid that when absorbed helps promote two neurotransmitters.
Dopamine and norepinephrine.
It is known that both of these increase the level of endorphins in the the brain which relieves pain.
For the maximum benefit it is recommended to take 1,000 mg of DL- Phenylalanine twice a day on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes prior to any meal.
2.
Methysolfonyl methane (MSM).
This is a non toxic sulfur compound that has shown benefits in anti inflammatory properties on the body.
Although not fully researched, it is seen to show benefits when taken at 8,000 mg divided over three times a day and is considered completely safe with no side effects seen.
3.
Magnesium.
Magnesium is critical for carrying out nerve and muscle impulses.
It releases energy into the cells.
Most people with arthritis are deficient in magnesium.
It is recommended to try 300 600 mg of magnesium along with 1,200 to 2,400 mg of malic acid.
4.
Glucosamine.
Derived from cartilage this is shown to ease pain in joints.
In the New England Journal of Medicine which did a landmark study of Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate the combination showed relief to nearly 350 of the 1,600 patients that suffered mild to severe arthritic pain.
It is recommended to take 1,500 mg of gluosamine with 1,200 mg of chondrotin divided into three times a day.
5.
Capsaicin cremes.
Capsaicin is derived from hot peppers and can be used in a creme form as an effective alternative.
Used externally it depletes Substance P over time which is elevate in anyone who suffers chronic pain.
6.
SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine).
This is compound that is naturally in our tissues.
It has shown in one study in California to reduce pain as well as the well known drug celecoxib.
They studies 400 mg twice a day and then after two weeks decreasing to 200 mg twice a day.
Caution though this drug does has some side effects, so be sure to discuss with your doctor before trying this remedy.
There are a multitude of other products on the market that claim to do many things.
The most important recommendation that can be made, is whether the product is herbal, topical, alternative or over the counter remedies, is to discuss all options with your health care team before hand.
Source...