Joint pain and inflammation cause much distress, especially to aging populations. Diseases such as arthritis are not really "curable," but the right remedies can help manage the pain and underlying causes, sometimes even improving function of the affected joints. Natural products have drawn attention from consumers looking for alternatives to conventional joint pain and inflammation medications that often come with unhealthy side effects.
Arthritis strikes in two distinct ways. Osteoarthritis (OA) causes a breakdown in the cartilage that coats the ends of bones at the joint. Because this cartilage protected the ends of the bones, any damage to this connective tissue affects the ability of the joints to operate smoothly, and can promote bone-on-bone contact during joint motion, resulting in pain, swelling and further damage to the cartilage. This form of arthritis is the most common and affects about 27 million people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), which estimated 20 percent of Americans—about 72 million people—will be past their 65th birthday and at high risk of OA by 2030. NIAMS reported the most common areas of the body affected by OA are the hands, spine, knees and hips.
On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) attacks the synovial membrane, the soft tissue covering the non-cartilaginous surfaces, forming a cavity in the joint in which synovial fluid helps reduce joint friction. RA, which affects 1.3 million Americans, is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and thickening of the membrane, resulting in pain and reduced joint function. The inflamed synovium can damage cartilage and bone within the joint, and lead to weakened muscles, tendons and ligaments. RA is symmetrical, so if the left hand is afflicted, so is the right hand.
Both forms of arthritis tend to primarily affect older adults, due to aging, but are also more prevalent in women. In fact, the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) has reported Boomers are significantly more likely to be managing arthritis and joint problems, compared to younger generations. The Arthritis Foundation supports this data, reporting half of people older than 65 have some form of arthritis. And, Heather Whitson, Ph.D., Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, presented data from the Cardiovascular Health Study showing women suffered up to two and a half times more disabilities, including arthritis, than men of the same age.
Thanks in part to the downfall of conventional joint pain remedies such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which have dangerous side effects including heart problems, natural products have caught the attention of consumers and their physicians.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) conducted a survey of physicians, finding bone, joint and heart health are among the primary health conditions for which U.S. health professionals recommend dietary supplements to patients. Specifically, 33 percent reported recommending supplements for bone health issues, the top condition, and 29 percent for joint problems, the third most common.
According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), overseen by the National Center for Health Statistics/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Glucosamine and fish oil/omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) are among the most popular complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) products sought by adults and children for back and neck pain, joint pain, arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Krista Faron, senior analyst at Mintel, reported glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) and omega-3 fatty acids are the most common natural remedies; 25 percent of arthritis sufferers turn to glucosamine, chrondroitin and/or herbal remedies to treat their arthritis, while 60 percent turn to over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and 40 percent choose prescription drugs.