A-C
BLACK CURRANT OIL,
BLACK CURRANT SEED OIL
Ribes nigrum
  
Where It Comes From: Black currant seed oil obtained from seeds of the black currant. Do not confuse with black currant berry. Black currant seed oil contains 6 percent to 19 percent gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
Forms and Dosage: Capsules; typical dosage ranges from 500 mg to 1,000 mg black currant oil daily. Look for capsules with concentrations of GLA varying from
0.2 grams to 0.3 grams.
Extras: May increase immune response in elderly.
See GLA for more information.
BORAGE OIL, BORAGE SEED OIL
Borago officinalis
Where It Comes From: Oil from the seeds of the Borage plant. Borage seed oil contains about 20 percent to 26 percent of the essential fatty acid GLA.
Forms and Dosage: Capsules; 1,300 mg (for oil) daily. Look for capsules with concentrations of GLA varying from
0.2 grams to 0.3 grams.
See GLA for more information.
BOSWELLIA
See Indian frankincense.
BOVINE CARTILAGE
Where It Comes From: Ground cartilage of cow, usually from the trachea or windpipe.
Forms and Dosage: Capsule, powder and cream; no typical dosage.
What It's Supposed to Do: Anti-inflammatory agent, believed to ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Topical bovine cartilage may treat psoriasis and aid in wound healing.
What We Know: Like shark cartilage, researchers think bovine cartilage may support resynthesis of cartilage.
Studies: Some anti-inflammatory effects shown in a few in vitro and animal studies. No good, well-controlled clinical studies support arthritis claim.
What to Watch For: Can cause diarrhea, nausea, swelling, local redness and itching. May enhance the anticoagulant effect of certain drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Potential for contamination from diseased animal parts related to mad cow disease, however no cases have been reported.
BROMELAIN
Pineapple, Ananas comosus
Where It Comes From: Enzyme found in pineapple juice that breaks down protein.
Forms and Dosage: Tablets; 80 mg to 320 mg, two or three times per day for eight to 10 days or as needed for more than 10 days.
What It's Supposed to Do: Decrease pain and swelling of RA and OA, increase mobility.
What We Know: Some evidence that enzymes like bromelain, which break down protein, have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects comparable to NSAIDs. Likely safe.
Studies: In one human study, a bromelain supplement containing enzymes rutin and trypsin relieved pain and improved function in 73 people with knee OA. The effect was similar to taking an NSAID. No research shows bromelain alone is effective for people with arthritis.
What to Watch For: Bromelain can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Avoid if allergic to pineapples. Can increase the effect of blood-thinning medicine.
Extras: May help reduce swelling after surgery or injury. May have potential to help burn wounds and accelerate healing.
CARTILAGE
See collagen hydrolysate, shark cartilage, type II chicken collagen
CAT'S CLAW
Uncaria tomentosa
Where It Comes From: Dried root bark of a woody vine that grows in the Amazon rain forests in Peru.
Forms and Dosage: Capsules, tablets and tea bags; dosage varies.
What It's Supposed to Do: Believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Used for treating knee OA.
What We Know: Although widely used for a variety of illnesses from diverticulitis and ulcers to cancer and AIDS, there is little clinical research to support these claims.
Studies: The most promising work comes from a study in which 100 grams daily of freeze-dried cat's claw reduced knee pain in people with OA.
What to Watch For: Headache, dizziness and vomiting. Cat's claw can lower blood pressure, so don't use if taking an antihypertensive medication. Cat's claw might adversely affect people with autoimmune disorders. Avoid using if you have RA, lupus, multiple sclerosis or other autoimmune disorders.
CETYL MYRISTOLEATE
CETYL-M, CMO
Cis-9-cetylmyristoleate
Where It Comes From: Waxy, fat-like substance that comes from mice, believed to protect them against developing arthritis.
Forms and Dosage: Capsules and creams; no typical dose.
What It's Supposed to Do: Lubricate joints, regulate immune system, act as an anti-inflammatory, ease symptoms of RA, OA, fibromyalgia, Sjöegren's syndrome, lupus and ankylosing spondylitis.
What We Know: Cetyl-m prevents mice from getting arthritis, but there's no evidence it works in humans or other animals.
Studies: No well-designed clinical studies to support claims.
 |
stop taking a supplement if you don't see results after several months |
CHONDROITIN SULFATE
Where It Comes From: Chondroitin is a component of human cartilage, bone and tendon. In supplements, chondroitin sulfate usually comes from bovine trachea or pork byproducts.
Forms and Dosage: Capsules, tablets and powder; 1,200 mg daily in two doses.
What It's Supposed to Do: Reduce pain and inflammation, improve joint function and slow disease progression.
What We Know: Chondroitin is believed to enhance the shock-absorbing properties of collagen and block enzymes that break down cartilage. Currently there is no proof that it can reverse cartilage loss. It generally takes two to four months to work completely.
Studies: Many studies using chondroitin have been small and scientifically flawed. However, two large studies that evaluated data from about a dozen studies showed significant improvement in pain and inflammation and improved joint function. Some people taking chondroitin are able to decrease NSAID dosage.
What to Watch For: Diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain. Some chondroitin tablets may contain high levels of manganese, which may be problematic with long-term use. Because chondroitin is made from bovine products, there is the remote possibility of contamination associated with mad cow disease. Chondroitin taken with blood-thinning medication like NSAIDs may increase your risk of bleeding.
In the Works: There is no convincing evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin together are more effective than each one individually or alone. To find out, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently commissioned a large, multi-centered study to be completed by 2005.
COLLAGEN HYDROLYSATE,
COLLAGEN, GELATIN, GELATINE, GELATIN HYDROLYSATE,
HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN
Where It Comes From: The main protein that makes up human and animal cartilage. In supplements, it can come from pig, cow, ox, chicken or sheep.
Forms and Dosage: Capsules, tablets or powder; 10 grams daily.
What It's Supposed to Do: Relieve pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness of RA, OA, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and gout. Repair cartilage.
What We Know: Scientific evidence of the effectiveness of collagen hydrolysate is controversial. Most work supporting collagen hydrolysate has been done in Germany.
Studies: A recent review of the role of collagen hydrolysate in bone and joint disease found no differences in pain between pharmaceutical-grade collagen hydrolysate (PCH) and a placebo. PCH did, however, appear to improve the collagen absorption of cartilage when combined with calcitonin, a hormone that stops the bone from losing calcium.
What to Watch For: Stomach upset and nausea. Do not take chicken collagen if allergic to chicken or egg. In bovine sources, there is the remote potential for contamination associated with mad cow disease. Note: Do not confuse with denatured collagen.
CURCUMIN
See turmeric.
| 
