I am frequently astounded by what some “internet experts” tell unsuspecting consumers. These “experts” may be dieticians, nutritionists, or physicians. But they’re rarely scientists. At least scientists would know and understand the science.
But it seems these “experts” just get up on their soapboxes to repeat outdated, disproven government guidelines. Or tired, old, worn-out, wrong-headed information about natural remedies and dietary supplements.
On the one hand, they will try to say there’s still not enough evidence for a certain dietary supplement. When, really, the science has been right there for years! They simply haven’t bothered to get up to date on it.
Or, conversely, they keep talking about dietary supplements that don’t work. Perhaps they want to give you the impression that natural approaches just won’t do it for you.
A case in point is the misinformation that persists to this very day about a very common problem–joint pain.
The joint “remedy” enterprise is a leading part of the $32 billion per year natural products industry. (This may be the reason why so many “experts” are drawn to comment about joint health, whether they know the science or not.) Unfortunately, too much of the natural products industry does not bother with the science when it comes to joint health.
For example, on many popular “natural health” websites, you’ll find information pushing the old, tired supplement glucosamine. Of course, the latest study showed–once again–that glucosamine is not effective at all for joint pain compared to placebo.
With chondroitin, another common joint supplement often paired with glucosamine, the so-called “experts” usually refer to some old lab studies. And give some reasons why it might, theoretically, work. If it actually gets absorbed and gets into your joints, that is. But then they report on multiple, real clinical trial studies on thousands of patients showing only borderline benefits, at best.
So why are they all still talking about it?!
Occasionally, these websites mention a lesser-known supplement called methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). They admit there are some promising early studies on it. But they quickly shift gears to focus on concerns about side effects and drug interactions. Of course, with any supplement, not just MSM, the self-appointed “experts” are quick to tell you about its potentially serious and significant side effects and drug interactions. But what they don’t tell you is most of these side effects and “interactions” are problems the drugs can cause on their own–whether or not they’re taken in the presence of a supplement!
Reading these sob stories, you might be tempted to conclude there really aren’t any worthwhile natural approaches for joint pain. Or that none of the natural remedies specifically designed for joint pain are actually of any use. Of course, when it comes to tired, old glucosamine and chondroitin, they are mostly right.
But when it comes to other natural approaches, these “experts” don’t know all the latest science.
In fact, three key nutrients can and do curb inflammation and promote bone and joint health. And all the latest science shows these three nutrients work. Best of all, they’re actually ancient remedies that have been used for centuries.
The first on my joint pain list is frankincense (Boswellia), known in the west as the “gift of the magi.” The three wise men brought it for the birth of the Messiah 2,000 years ago. And these wise men traveling for thousands of miles could be expected to know a little something about joint pain.
In a 2003, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of men and women with the creakiest of knees, boswellia was remarkable!
Not only did 333 mg of boswellia taken three times per day promote a healthy inflammatory response, but after just eight weeks, every single study subject reported they could:
- Climb up and down stairs with ease
- Walk further and at a steady gait
- All with more comfort and increased mobility!
Next we have curcumin. It’s the principle, active ingredient in the popular South Asian spice turmeric. (Tumeric–along with coriander, cumin, and sometimes fenugreek and/or red chili peppers–make up the popular spice curry.)
Curcumin is also responsible for turmeric’s bright yellow color. Interestingly, many natural compounds that appear as brilliant-colored dyes are frequently potent remedies. A dye has the ability to bind and alter plant and animal cells, which can also relate to its potency as a biologically active substance.
Studies show curcumin reduces joint inflammation, thereby reducing pain. It’s also a potent “antioxidant” that can cross the blood-brain barrier to protect the brain and nervous tissue.
And the third natural joint-pain reliever is Ashwagandha. Like Boswellia, Ashwagandha is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy. The name is Sanskrit for “mare sweat,” which may relate to the aroma of the root of this plant. It’s also known as winter cherry.
Ashwagandha is a potent adaptogen, meaning it adapts in the body to support good health. In lab tests, Ashwagandha quickly and dramatically reduced inflammation in mice induced to develop arthritis.
Scientific research supports using these three natural ingredients to support joint health. And I recently had a reader write in to tell me about his own success using them. He said, “I had been living for four years with constant pain in both knees. Then came your nutrient recommendations. After only two months, I noticed a major improvement. The ligaments in my knees appear to be restored. And I am confident now that I will not ever need to have the knees replaced.”
Bottom line?
Glucosamine and chondroitin are NOT arthritis cures because they don’t stop inflammation. But these three ancient remedies do have strong anti-inflammatory properties that help control the damage in your joints. And they even reverse degeneration of the joint cartilage.
I will give you more details about what to look for (and what to avoid) when it comes to bone and joint health in the upcoming November 2014 issue of my Insiders’ Cures newsletter. Including some remarkable results from a man who used only a light dose of these three science-backed ingredients. If you’re not yet a subscriber, now is the perfect time to get started so you won’t miss this important report.
Source:
1.“Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee–a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial,” Phytomedicine 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7
2. “Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Withania somnifera Dunal: A Review,” Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 02 (01); 2012: 170-175