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By
Dr. Joseph Mercola
with Rachael Droege
After one popular pain-killing drug, Merck's Vioxx, was pulled
from the market and two others, Pfizer's Bextra and Celebrex, had
their safety severely questioned, many Americans are opting to leave
their anti-inflammatory drugs on the shelf -- and understandably
so.
These drugs are in a class of painkillers known as cox-2 inhibitors,
which are part of a larger class known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDS), and are often used to treat arthritis and other
pain. Let's take a quick look at these drugs' disturbing past:
In light of all of these significant warning signs, increasing
numbers of patients, particularly those with arthritis, are seeking
pain relief through alternative methods -- and they're in luck.
Probably the most important way is to reduce inflammation is to
eliminate sugar from your diet and for most of us that also includes
all grains. Just this simple strategy may provide amazing relief.
If eliminating sugar and grains doesn't provide you with the relief
you seen then the following herbal solutions provide the benefits
of painkilling drugs without raising your risk of serious health
problems like heart attacks and stroke.
You should work with your own knowledgeable health care professional,
someone who understands natural medicine, to develop the best combination
of herbal alternatives for you.
Ginger: This herb is anti-inflammatory and offers pain relief
and stomach-settling properties. Fresh ginger works well steeped
in boiling water as a tea or grated into vegetable
juice. Powder capsules are also available, but I recommend using
the fresh root.
Boswellia: Also known as boswellin or "Indian frankincense,"
this herb contains specific active anti-inflammatory ingredients,
referred to as boswellic acids that animal studies have shown significantly
reduce inflammation. This is one of my personal favorites as I have
seen it work well with many of my rheumatoid arthritis patients
And in another study of 175 patients with rheumatic disorders such
as rheumatoid arthritis, 122 participants had reduced stiffness
and inflammation just two to four weeks after starting on boswellia.
Fish Oils: The omega-3 fats EPA and DHA found in fish oil
have been found, by many animal and clinical studies, to have
anti-inflammatory properties that reduce joint inflammation
and promote joint lubrication.
Animal based omega-3 fats are absolutely essential for any comprehensive
anti-inflammatory program. They form the precursors to the molecules
that actually produce or inhibit inflammation in your body (prostaglandins).
That is why it is essential to make sure you are getting enough.
It is also vital to understand that you need to reduce omega-6 fats
like vegetable oils seeds and nuts, as it is actually the ratio
of omega 6:3 fats that determines how much inflammation is present.
You could theoretically consume enough omega-3 fish oils to work
but then ruin the effect by consuming too many omega-6 fats.
Those of you who read the newsletter regularly know that I'm a
fan of Carlson's brand fish oil and
cod liver oil as I have seen clear and often substantial improvements
in my patients who use it. It has shown particularly positive benefits
in those with rheumatoid arthritis.
You can find the Carlson's fish oil/cod liver oil in my Recommended
Products section; your local health food store may also carry Carlson's,
and usually they are very helpful in recommending any other trustworthy
brands.
Bromelain: This enzyme, found in pineapples, is a natural
anti-inflammatory. It can be taken in supplement form, but eating
fresh pineapple may also be helpful.
Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO): This oil, found in fish and dairy
butter, acts as a "joint lubricant" and an anti-inflammatory.
The delicious raw butter we carry from organic
pastures contains "Wulzen anti-stiffness factor."
This factor has been found to be highly effective in reversing arthritis
and protects against calcification of joints. I have also used
this for myself to relieve ganglion cysts and a mild annoying carpal
tunnel syndrome that pops up when I type too much on non-ergonomic
keyboards. I used a topical preparation for this.
In one study of 106 people with various types of arthritis who
did not respond to NSAIDs, 63.5 percent of those who took CMO orally
and applied the cream topically (it's available both in oral supplement
and cream forms) improved, compared to only 14.5 percent of those
taking a placebo.
Evening Primrose, Black Currant and Borage Oils: These contain
the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which is useful
for treating arthritic pain. These are the exception to omega-6
fats that are necessary to have in your diet. It is reasonable for
many to take these as a supplement, particularly if you struggle
with dry skin in the winter, as this is a strong indicator that
you are deficient in these fats
In one study of 37 rheumatoid arthritis patients, those who received
1.4 grams of GLA per day reduced the number of tender joints by
36 percent, the tenderness of the joints by 45 percent, the number
of swollen joints by 28 percent, and the degree of joint swelling
by 41 percent. The placebo group showed no significant improvements.
I personally prefer the use of GLA supplements from evening primrose
oil but borage oil contains a higher concentration of GLA, which
means you need fewer capsules, and it tends to be less expensive.
Cayenne Cream: Also called capsaicin cream, this spice comes
from dried hot peppers. It alleviates pain by depleting the body's
supply of substance P, a chemical component of nerve cells that
transmits pain signals to the brain.
Related Articles:
Finally -- FDA
Admits That ALL Anti-Inflammatories May Kill You
Vioxx and Celebrex (Cox-2
Inhibitors) May Affect Kidneys
How Vioxx and Celebrex
Increase Your Risk of Heart Attack
Warning: Taking Bextra May
Harm Your Health
In Light of Vioxx, Bextra
Getting A Closer Look
Two Tried-and-True Tips
for Pain Relief
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