Treatments for arthritis
One promising approach entails rubbing painful joints with a cream containing capsaicin, a derivative of chilies. Capsaicin produces a stinging or burning feeling, but it appears to reduce inflammation.
Studies show a marked improvement in osteoarthritis when patients take glucosamine sulfate, a natural body compound vital in building and maintaining cartilage, in dosages of 500 mg three times a day.
Be wary of alternative treatments. Because arthritis has no cure, sufferers often turn to alternative therapies. Some may help, others are worthless, often costly, and sometimes dangerous. Bee venom injections do nothing for arthritis. Chelation, used to remove toxic metals from the body, has been touted in a series of 20 to 30 intravenous treatments as a remedy for RA, but there is no scientific evidence that it is effective. Herbal treatments, such as Chinese black balls sold under such names as Miracle Herb and Tung Shueh, have been found to contain the antianxiety drug diazepam.
