Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), reported in 2006
that these supplements appear to be more beneficial to a
small subgroup of patients with severe pain from OA
than to a larger group with only mild to moderate levels
of discomfort. There is better evidence that ASU is
beneficial, but only limited evidence for the usefulness
of Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan. Some clinical studies carried
out in India report that an Ayurvedic compound that
combines ginger, turmeric, andzincreduced pain in
patients with OA of the knees even when other aspects
of Ayurvedic practice were not followed.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has noted in a recent
review of alternative treatments of RA that few high-
quality studies of these treatments have been pub-
lished as of 2006. Several studies indicate that vegeta-
rian or vegan diets and theMediterranean dietdo in
fact benefit patients with RA. Fish oil has been
reported to reduce the risk of heart attacks in patients
with RA as well as reduce joint pain and inflamma-
tion.Green teahas been tested on mice with RA but
has not yet been tested on human subjects. A study
conducted at the University of Arizona reported in
2006 that turmeric by itself inhibits the destruction of
joint tissue in rats with RA as well as reducing joint
inflammation; but as with green tea, turmeric supple-
ments have not yet been used in clinical trials with
human subjects with RA.
Resources
BOOKS
Childers, Norman Franklin.A Diet to Stop Arthritis: The
Nightshades and Ill Health, 2nd ed. New Brunswick, NJ:
Somerset Press, 1981.
Dong, Collin H., MD, and Jane Banks.New Hope for the
Arthritic. New York: Crowell, 1975.
Kandel, Joseph, and David B. Sudderth.The Anti-Arthritis
Diet: Increase Mobility and Reduce Pain with This 28-
Day Life-Changing Program. Rocklin, CA: Prima
Publishing, 1998. In spite of its title, this book focuses
primarily on weight reduction in general as an impor-
tant aspect of managing OA.
Murray, Michael, ND, and Joseph Pizzorno, ND.Encyclo-
pedia of Natural Medicine, 2nd ed. Rocklin, CA: Prima
Publishing, 1998. Includes a list of dietary supplements
recommended by naturopaths to treat arthritis.
Pelletier, Kenneth R., MD.The Best Alternative Medicine,
Part II, ‘‘CAM Therapies for Specific Conditions:
Arthritis.’’ New York: Fireside Books, 2002. A useful
summary of the various dietary therapies that have been
tried in the management of osteoarthritis and rheuma-
toid arthritis.
Theodosakis, Jason, MD, and Sheila Buff.The Arthritis
Cure, rev. ed. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2004.COOKBOOKS
Adderly, Brenda, and Lissa DeAngelis.The Arthritis Cure
Cookbook. Washington, DC: LifeLine Press, 1998.
Flynn, John A., MD, and Lora Brown Wilder.Recipes for
Arthritis Health. New York: Rebus, 2003.
Haupt, Prentiss Carl, and James McKoy.The Executive
Chef’s Arthritis Cookbook and Health Guide. Pukalani,
HI: Arthritis Cookbook Corporation, 2001.
PERIODICALS
Ameye, L. G., and W. S. Chee. ‘‘Osteoarthritis and Nutri-
tion. From Nutraceuticals to Functional Foods: A
Systematic Review of the Scientific Evidence.’’Arthritis
Research and Therapy8 (2006): R127.
Berkow, S. E., and N. Barnard. ‘‘Vegetarian Diets and
Weight Status.’’Nutrition Reviews64 (April 2006):
175–188.
Chopra, A., P. Lavin, B. Patwardhan, and D. Chitre. ‘‘A 32-
Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Eval-
uation of RA-11, an Ayurvedic Drug, on Osteoarthritis
of the Knees.’’Journal of Clinical Rheumatology 10
(October 2004): 236–245.
Clark, K. L. ‘‘Nutritional Considerations in Joint Health.’’
Clinics in Sports Medicine26 (January 2007): 101–118.
Clegg, D. O., D. J. Reda, C. L. Harris, et al. ‘‘Glucosamine,
Chondroitin Sulfate, and the Two in Combination for
Painful Knee Osteoarthritis.’’New England Journal of
Medicine354 (February 23, 2006): 795–808.
Cleland, L. G., G. E. Caughey, M. J. James, and S. M.
Proudman. ‘‘Reduction of Cardiovascular Risk Factors
with Longterm Fish Oil Treatment in Early Rheuma-
toid Arthritis.’’Journal of Rheumatology33 (October
2006): 1973–1979.
Funk, J. L., J. B. Frye, J. N. Oyarzo, et al. ‘‘Efficacy and
Mechanism of Action of Turmeric Supplements in the
Treatment of Experimental Arthritis.’’Arthritis and
Rheumatism54 (November 2006): 3452–3464.QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
DOCTOR Would you recommend glucosamine and
chondroitin supplements for mild OA?
Have any of your other patients benefited from
taking ASU or other dietary supplements for
arthritis?
What is your opinion of elimination diets as
treatment for arthritis?
Would you recommend a vegetarian diet for
patients with OA as well as patients with RA?Arthritis diet