TOP-10 Natural Arthritis Treatments

Arthritis is becoming an increasingly common problem that is difficult for conventional medicine to cope with. Many people seek salvation in alternative therapies and supplements. But don’t buy any anti-arthritis supplements before you read this article!

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is the term used for conditions that cause pain in the joints. Arthritis affects more than 350 million people globally (1).

In medical terminology, arthritis or joint disease is inflammation of one or more joints (knees, joints, wrists, ankles, etc.). The disease begins with inflammatory symptoms in the joint (soreness, swelling), but can progress to significant joint pain, severe swelling, and stiffness of movements, changes in the shape of the joint and limbs. Over 100 different types of arthritis are diagnosed, but the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) – is a chronic progressive disease that affects all components of the joint. In this case, the cartilage in the joint wears out and breaks down, and the bones of the joint begin to change. OA is characterized by pain, stiffness, and swelling of the soft tissues, which can lead to decreased joint function.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – is a chronic autoimmune disease with persistent, symmetrical damage to small and large joints, with involvement of internal organs and systems (lungs, heart and blood vessels, kidneys, skin, eyes) in the inflammatory process. The course of RA is most often progressive, which leads to the destruction of articular cartilage in the form of erosions and destruction of the bones forming the joint, followed by deformation of the joints and impairment of their function. The autoimmune nature of inflammation suggests that the immune system perceives its own tissues as foreign and actively attacks and damages them. The disease is characterized by high disability (70%), which occurs quite early. The main causes of death from the disease are infectious complications and renal failure.

How to treat arthritis?

The medications used to treat arthritis vary depending on the type of arthritis (2). Commonly used arthritis medications include:

• NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. But these drugs can cause stomach irritation, may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke (3). Also using NSAIDs may lead to chronic inflammation, as far it just masks symptoms but doesn’t cure inflammation.
• Steroids. Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, reduce symptoms of inflammation and slow joint damage. But their side effects include thinning of bones, weight gain and diabetes, chronic inflammation, and immune system weakening (4).
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These drugs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage. Side effects include rash, temporary hair loss, abnormal liver function tests, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, and neuropathy (nerve damage). Also, DMARDs increase your risk of infections (5).

So, medications can provide relief from the pain of arthritis and slow disease, but at the same time, they have a long list of side effects and complications and damage other parts of our organism. That’s why some people prefer a more natural approach they can try at home. Some natural remedies may help you manage mild symptoms and improve your health, particularly if you use them alongside other treatment options. Certain herbs and nutrients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help with RA or OA. Moreover, they may help to prevent these diseases by strengthening the immune system, improving metabolic processes in joints, and renovating and repairing bone and joint cells.

This article lists 10 of the most effective natural remedies for arthritis prevention and treatment as well as their benefits.

Natural remedies to prevent and treat arthritis

1. Boswellia serrata

The resin of Boswellia serrata contains substances that decrease inflammation and increase immune response. Some research shows that taking extracts of Boswellia serrata can reduce pain by up to 65% and improve mobility in people with osteoarthritis in joints. Other research shows that taking combination products containing Boswellia and other herbal ingredients can also reduce pain and improve function in people with osteoarthritis (6).

2. Turmeric/curcumin

Curcumin reduces pain, inflammation, and stiffness related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA); treats bursitis (7). As a potent anti-inflammatory, curcumin blocks inflammatory cytokines and enzymes decreases the level of oxidative stress and renovates cells.

3. Capsaicin

This medication is used to treat minor aches and pains of the muscles/joints (e.g., arthritis, backache, sprains). Capsaicin works by decreasing a certain natural substance in your body (substance P) that helps pass pain signals to the brain (8).

4. Thunder god vine

Thunder god vine – a herb used for centuries to treat swelling and inflammation, is said to benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel diseases, kidney disease, and other health conditions. This herb appears to have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties (9).

5. Devil’s Claw

Several studies show that taking a devil’s claw can reduce pain and improve physical functioning in people with osteoarthritis. The people who took devil’s claw had as much pain relief as the people who took the medication, had fewer side effects, and needed fewer pain relievers throughout the study. An analysis of 14 studies using devil’s claw to treat arthritis found that higher-quality studies showed devil’s claw may relieve joint pain. And a review of 12 studies using devil’s claw for treating arthritis or low back pain found that devil’s claw was at least moderately effective for arthritis of the spine, hip, and knee (10).

6. Probiotic supplement

Gut microbiota (GM) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of RA, with accumulating evidence suggesting that gut dysbiosis induces a chronic inflammatory response that may be linked to disease development. Of interest, patients with RA have significant changes in the intestinal microbiota and it is proved that the use of probiotics is a possible adjuvant therapy for RA (11).

7. Fermented foods

Fermented foods and beverages are defined as foods made through desired microbial growth and enzymatic conversions of food components. Fermented foods contain beneficial probiotics, which help maintain a healthy balance between the “good” and “bad” bacteria in your body. They also reduce bad bacteria that often cause infections and illnesses, reduce inflammation and improve immune system response (12).

8. Glucosamine/chondroitin supplement

Glucosamine and chondroitin are popular supplements used to treat osteoarthritis, help relieve OA joint pain and stiffness. Glucosamine and chondroitin protect cells called chondrocytes, which help maintain cartilage structure. These supplements have the potential to slow cartilage deterioration in the joints and reduce pain in the process (13).

9. Silica

Silica is the third most abundant trace element constituent in the body, that is fundamentally important in human biology, particularly in connective tissue health. Silica is a structural element of the extracellular matrix and an essential element for glycosaminoglycan, collagen, and elastin synthesis. Also, it is involved in the regulation of many inflammatory and metabolic diseases including arthritis, obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cancer (14).

10. Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids seem to prevent or attenuate arthritis. They have a beneficial effect in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have a modulatory effect on disease activity, namely on the number of swollen and tender joints (15).

So, with the help of natural and safe herbs and nutrients, you can prevent arthritis and strengthen your body or reduce pain, minimize joint damage, and improve your overall well-being when an illness occurs. Properly administered treatment can slow or prevent joint damage.

Additionally, to reduce pain, prevent arthrosis of the joints and make life easier, doctors recommend:

• gluten-free diet,
• reduce sugar,
• hot paraffin soak and self-massage,
• maintaining normal body weight,
• balanced diet,
• avoiding alcohol or drinking alcohol in moderation,
• to give up smoking,
• moderate physical activity,
• at least 45 minutes per day of gymnastics

Dr Oksana Klymenko M.D., PhD, 
Medical Doctor, Researcher in the fields 
of molecular physiology and pathophysiology, 
molecular biology, genetics, cell biology

References

1. https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/arthritis-statistics/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350777
3. Davis A, Robson J. The dangers of NSAIDs: look both ways. Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(645):172-173
4. Ericson-Neilsen W, Kaye AD. Steroids: pharmacology, complications, and practice delivery issues. Ochsner J. 2014;14(2):203-207
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK115126/table/consra2.tu1/
6. https://www.rxlist.com/boswellia/supplements.htm
7. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/supplements-and-vitamins/supplement-and-herb-guide-for-arthritis-symptoms
8. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-61856/arthritis-pain-relief-capsaicin-topical/details
9. Song, X., Zhang, Y., & Dai, E. (2020). Therapeutic targets of thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii hook) in rheumatoid arthritis (Review). Molecular Medicine Reports, 21, 2303-2310.
10. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/devils-claw
11. Ferro Margarida, Charneca Sofia, et al. Probiotic Supplementation for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Promising Adjuvant Therapy in the Gut Microbiome Era. Frontiers in Pharmacology. Vol.12, 2021
12. Vaghef-Mehrabany E, Alipour B, Homayouni-Rad A, Sharif SK, Asghari-Jafarabadi M, Zavvari S. Probiotic supplementation improves inflammatory status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nutrition. 2014;30(4):430-435. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2013.09.007
13. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/supplements-and-vitamins/glucosamine-chondroitin-osteoarthritis-pain
14. Maehira F, Miyagi I, Eguchi Y. Effects of calcium sources and soluble silicate on bone metabolism and the related gene expression in mice. Nutrition. 2009 May;25(5):581-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2008.10.023. Epub 2009 Jan 3. PMID: 19121918.
15. Kostoglou-Athanassiou, Ifigenia et al. “The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Rheumatoid Arthritis.” Mediterranean journal of rheumatology vol. 31,2 190-194. 30 Jun. 2020, doi:10.31138/mjr.31.2.190.