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ARTHRITIS ALERTS

NATURAL COX-2 INHIBITORS TO VIOXX, CELEBREX, BEXTRA

ARTHRITIS….. HOPE……………………….AND FREEDOM

Natural COX-2 inhibitors to Vioxx, Celebrex, Bextra

With the withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the market and lingering concerns about other COX-2 inhibitors, Celebrex and Bextra, some of the following dietary supplements are worth looking at as alternative "natural COX-2s."

My attempt here is to provide information positive, proven or not, so you can make a better choice. It might take two or more writings to cover them all

Some of these Natural Cox-IIs are

· Glucosamine

· Chondroitin

· MSM

· Manganese

· Omega-3 fatty acids (Fish oils and hemp seeds, oil, flour etc.)

· Ginger

· Capsicum

· Willow bark

· SAM-e

· Avocado/Soy been, Unsaponifiables

· Others

Here are some of the more commonly used dietary supplements for muscle and joint pain associated with arthritis along with known and theoretical adverse reactions and drug interactions. I am also including descriptions of some natural products on the short list of those with reliable research to back up the COX-2 inhibitor claim. Note that these natural products have nonselective COX-2 activity (i.e., they may also affect COX-1).

· Glucosamine and or Chondroitin

Glucosamine is a component of the extra cellular matrix of the joint cartilage. Glucosamine has been shown to have a disease-modifying effect on the joints- possibly improving or preventing the deterioration and degradation of joint cartilage, and reducing inflammation.

A lot of research indicates glucosamine relieves joint pain from osteoarthritis as well as NSAIDs. Some researchers suggest glucosamine may be less effective in and heavier (that is why the need to lose weight to help relieve pressure on joints causing arthritic pain) and older patients, and patients with severe osteoarthritis existing for a long time.

Concerns that glucosamine might cause glucose intolerance appear to be unfounded. In people with and without diabetes, glucosamine does not affect fasting plasma glucose and serum insulin concentrations or hemoglobin A1c levels.

Glucosamine is well tolerated. It is derived from marine outer shells such as lobsters, shrimp etc., or produced from renewable vegetarian sources. Theoretically it could cause problems in people with shellfish allergy, but some early research suggests it may be safe for the population. Shellfish allergy is caused by allergy to the flesh of shellfish and not the shell.

Glucosamine is often given with chondroitin; there is no reliable clinical research to show that the combination works any better than the individual supplements. Chondroitin, which is most often derived from bovine cartilage(the trachea),shark or chicken also occurs naturally in human cartilage.

Chondroitin appears to be effective for osteoarthritis. And like glucosamine, chondroitin is also well-tolerated.

Some glucosamine and chondroitin products include manganese. But there's no reliable human research that suggests that manganese helps osteoarthritis. Manganese deficiency in humans is uncommon, but manganese toxicity can occur, particularly in people with liver disease.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

It is an ingredient in osteoarthritis products such as R3Xl and others. It is either used alone but mostly with glucosamine or chondroitin or both. Very preliminary clinical research suggests that MSM might have some benefit in osteoarthritis in reducing soft tissue pain.

· Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish oil and hemp seeds, oil, flour etc)

Fish oil and hemp seeds sources contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids seem to suppress COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines interleukin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha all thought to be involved in the inflammatory processes in arthritis pain.

Take a look at the ideal ratio of 3 to 1 between Omega-6 and Omega-3 in Hemp seeds required for best therapeutic effect.

The anti-inflammatory effect may help rheumatoid arthritis as well.

Taking fish oils, or hemp seeds or its oil, seems to reduce morning stiffness and the number of tender, swollen joints in patients with arthritis.

Fish oils sometimes have a fishy taste and can cause belching, halitosis, heartburn, and gastrointestinal upset. High doses can cause nausea and loose stools. Taking fish oils with meals and gradually increasing the dose may diminish side effects.

Fish oil doses greater than 3 grams per day or high dietary intake of fish can inhibit platelet aggregation, cause bleeding, and potentially increase the risk for hemorrhagic stroke.