Osteoarthritis

Glucosamine from shark or bovine cartilage, has been shown to slow the progress of mild to moderate arthritis by helping repair eroding cartilage as shown on the illustration above. You need about 1.5 grams a day and benefit will not be felt for 6 weeks. Glucosamine is often combined with other agents which may help osteoarthritis such as chondroiton, MSM and boron.
SamE ( S-Adenyl-Methionine) is a natural substance which has been found to reduce pain in mild to moderate arthritis as much as prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. You need to take 200mg of the active substance a day and it is relatively expensive. SamE may also help lift your mood and reduce anxiety.
Fish Oil (EPA/DHA also known as Omega 3 & 9 fatty acids). This has been shown to reduce arthritis pain and may slow progression of arthritis. Take it as a supplement of 6000 IU ( six capsules, three twice a day ) and increase your intake of cold water fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines. This is also good for your heart and cholesterol. Eating flaxseed, olives, walnuts and other nuts and avocados all increases EPA & DHA. Margarines and vegetable oils ( olive and canola oils are ok) often contain Omega 6 fatty acids which may have the opposite effect and make your arthritis worse. Refined flour and fatty meats may also make your arthritis worse by releasing eicosonoids which increase inflammation in joints, so reduce your bread and fatty meat intake. Hint: Keeping your fish oil in the frig lessens fishy aftertaste.
Exercise is excellent for arthritis and without exercise arthritic joints quickly stiffen up - the 'morning stiffness' an arthritic person gets when they first get up in the morning or when they have been sitting still for a while. Exercises should include strething exercises, movement exercises and resistance exercises. The best people to help guide your arthritis exercise program are physiotherapists. Warning: Too much high impact exercise may actually increase arthritis in weight bearing joints such as ankles, knees, hips and spine so GET HELP PLANNING YOUR EXERCISES.
Acupuncture - we are getting excellent results with acupuncture in terms of reduction of pain and increased mobilty. Acupuncure is evidence based proven to provide symptomatic relief to osteoarthitis of the knee and hip and to reduce analgesic use. Dr Alex Yao offers Acupuncure at Royston Clinic from Monxday to Thursday.

Natural Treatments which MAY help your Osteoarthritis

Boron 6mg/day, helps by slowing down the enzymes Cox and Lox which release cytokines that increase inflammation in arthritic joints.
Ginger (Zingaber officionale)
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) These last three may all help by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines, and are all contained in a Metagenics tablet sold at our clinic.
Ashwagandha (Withania somniferum) works much the same way.
Pennywort (Gota kolu or centella asiatic) is an Indian herb which many people report helps their arthritis. It is easily grown as a herb - eat 2 leaves the size of a 50c piece daily, or is available as a supplement.
Natural HRT especially with testosterone and DHEA for women, seems often to result in decreased joint pains.
Celery Seed ( Apium graveloens) & Juniper Seed (Juniperis communis) - is found helpful by many people, these may also have a diuretic effect..
Devils Claw Root (Harpagophytum procumbens)- may also help some people if taken over a long period of time.
White Willow Bark ( Salix alba) which basically contains aspirin ( salicylic acid ), a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.

I would suggest if you live with arthritis that you use Glucosamine, fish oil and exercise plus the SamE if you can afford it and systematically trial the products in the second list which are more variable in their efficacy for arthritis.

Importantly I strongly suggest changing to a diet as outlined in the Anti-aging Diet Page