TITLE:
Nutraceutical Treatment in Knee Osteoarthritis—Arthritis-Presentation of a Dietary Plan by Means of Additional Nutraceuticals in Lieu of the Detrimental Side Effects of Current Conventional Medicine
AUTHORS:
Ulrika Staff
KEYWORDS:
Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Nutrition, Nutraceuticals, Herbs, Alternative Medicine
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.12 No.7,
July
15,
2022
ABSTRACT: Arthritis (AR) is a disease that affects the joints and of which there are, remarkably, over 100 different types. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common subgroup of OA. KOA is a pathological degeneration of joints, connective tissue and the sub-chondral bone of the knee. The origin of the disease is not fully understood but the etiology includes risk factors such as age, gender, physiological trauma and BMI. It is a complex pathological state of cause, effect, and manifestation where the exact mechanisms responsible are not visible. Inflammatory mediators are involved in the progression of KOA and this cascade of reactions to the inflicted area is unfortunately chronic. Pain is a key feature, and it ranges from mild to severe. Patients are likely to use analgesics that are more potent than “over the counter” (OCT) drugs at some stage. As the condition develops over time the need increases and prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids are used. NSAIDs can help reduce the pain as well as enhance the joints range of movements again. However not in an optimal way, nor do they have the ability to alter any of the mechanisms behind the disease. Inevitably, the side effects from the medicine will have a negative impact on the patient; even more so the longer they are used. Currently, alternative medicine and nutraceuticals can be controversial. Several countries and organizations consistently deny any beneficial outcome from these in the context of KOA-treatment. Official statements are made about the lack of evidence and consequently official non-recommendations are commonplace. This review will show viable complementary alternative medicine (CAM) that has been studied over decades with unequivocal positive results on KOA. These options exhibit minimal side effects and a high safety-margin. Included are up-to date clinical studies with current evidence of beneficial effects. This review presents key strategies for the arthritis patients. A dietary plan not to deviate from and the use of specific nutrients and herbs. The analysis of nutrachemicals include glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, collagen type 1, undenatured collagen type II and hyaluronic acid. Therapeutic dosages of nutraceuticals as well as a specified diet designed to curb and to some extent reverse KOA. Traditional Chinese medicine consisting of T. wilfordii, A. bidentate, bromelain, Boswellia and Curcuma longa. To a certain extent these nutraceuticals have an ability that is absent in current pharmacological treatments. The ability to reverse and sometimes rebuild tissues and cells affected by KOA. All nutraceuticals in the review is evaluated with the standard methods WOMAC and VAS in order to measure degrees of pain, stiffness and functionalities of the knee.