Arthritis Remedies

Arthritis is a general term that covers a large number of conditions that affect the joints. The most common is osteoarthritis which affects over 20 million people in the USA. This condition is characterized by inflammation and pain around the joints. It is often referred to as a 'wear and tear' disease because the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones in a joint becomes worn away. There is no known cure but there are arthritis remedies and treatments that can ease the symptoms.

Many of the medical treatments for osteoarthritis aim at reducing the pain and inflammation associated with the condition. Over the counter and prescribed medications are available for this.

Recently there has been more and more evidence building up for the effectiveness of using glucosamine. Glucosamine is interesting because it has the ability to prevent the loss of the cartilage in the joint by slowing down the process of cartilage breakdown. Some even report that it can have the effect of building the cartilage up again. In studies of patients with arthritis pain this has had the effect of reducing pain in the joints. Glucosamine is most effective in combination with chondroitin.

One of the more controversial arthritis remedies is shark cartilage. Some people absolutely swear by it although the scientific evidence for it is limited. Some people also have concern for the welfare of these majestic sea creatures. The therapeutic effect is thought to be brought about by shark cartilage having anti-inflammatory properties.

Fish oil supplements have been one of the most frequently used arthritis remedies for years. Science has now shown that the product is rich in omega 3 fatty acids which have an ant-inflammatory effect in the body. The product is now available in easy to take capsules that do not have an unpleasant taste or odor.