Many people with arthritis want to try natural medicine, but they don’t know where to begin. James McKoy, MD, chief of rheumatology at Kaiser Permanente in Honolulu, who is a member of Arthritis Today’s medical advisory board, put together some notes on the way that he prescribes mind-body medicine for his patients.
But he cautions that supplements used without necessary lifestyle changes are not magic bullets. “There is no one or two miracle supplements for anything,” Dr. McKoy says.
“In order to effect a change in health outcome, a patients must change their thoughts, attitude and beliefs,” he adds.
In addition to prescribing supplements, Mr. McKoy also counsels his patients to make other lifestyle adjustments, such as establishing a daily exercise program, getting optimal amounts of sleep, and making sure to drink enough water. Additionally, he recommends a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in animal products, which he says can lower acid levels in the body. A diet that raises acid levels, he says, can contribute to inflammation.
“It’s not just about pouring drugs or supplements down someone’s throat,” he says.
Before you add these supplements, or any others, to your treatment regimen, however, be sure to clear it with your own doctor. Natural medicines contain potent chemicals that can interact with prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Dr. McKoy’s Supplements for Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine sulfate – 1,500 mg twice a day for three months and then maintenance of 1,500 daily. “I do not use chondroitin sulfate,” Dr. McKoy says. “I don’t think it helps that much and adds to the cost.”
SAMe – 400 mg three times daily.
Vitamin D3 – 2,000 IU a day.
A good multivitamin with minerals – Once daily. The supplement should contain 40 mg of zinc, 1 mg of copper and 6 mg of boron.
Fish Oil – At least 3 grams (or 3,000 mg) daily, 1 gram taken with each meal.
Boswellia – 400 mg three times daily
Cat’s Claw – 60 mg three times a day, to relieve pain
Kaprex* (A proprietary blend of hops, oleanolic acid and rosemary) – 1 tab three times daily
Acupuncture – Two to four times weekly until acute symptoms resolve and then maintenance of once a month, if patients can afford it.
Dr. McKoy’s Supplements for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ginger – Fresh ginger root incorporated into the diet, or ginger extract 100 to 200 mg three times daily.
Multivitamin with minerals – Once daily. The supplement should contain 40 mg of zinc, 1 mg of copper and 6 mg of boron.
Fish Oil – Two grams (or 2,000 mg) with each meal
Flaxseed – One tablespoon flaxseed meal daily.
Digestive Enzymes (pancreatin/bromelain, etc) – Follow dosing instructions on the bottle.
SAMe – 400 mg three times daily.
Curcumin/Tumeric – 400 mg three times daily
Vitamin D3 – 2,000 IU daily
Boswellia – 400 mg three times daily
Cat’s claw – 60 mg three times daily
Kaprex* (A proprietary blend of hops, oleanolic acid and rosemary) – One tablet three times daily.
Dr. McKoy’s Supplements for Fibromyalgia
Multivitamin with minerals – Once daily. The supplement should contain 40 mg of zinc, 1 mg of copper and 6 mg of boron.
B Complex – One pill containing 5,000 to 10,000 micro grams of vitamin B12, daily
Vitamin D3 – 2,000 IU daily
Calcium– 1,000 mg daily
Magnesium – 400 mg to 1,000 mg a daily
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) – 400 mg three times daily
Vitamin C– 500 mg three times daily
Kaprex* (A proprietary blend of hops, oleanolic acid and rosemary) – 1 tablet 3 times a day
NADH (reduced nicotinomide adenine dinucleotide) – 5 mg a day, for energy
CoQ-10 (coenzyme Q10) – 200mg a day, for energy
Fish Oil – 1 gram (or 1,000 mg) with each meal
*A note about Kaprex from Dr. McKoy: Research suggests that components of hops, such as reduced isoalpha acids, may inhibit the formation of inflammation-causing prostaglandins. Oleanolic acid is derived from olive leaf extract. Research indicates that it may support joint health as a pain reliever as well as protect against potential damage to your stomach lining. Rosemary leaf extract stimulates circulation and eases pain by increasing your blood supply. Kaprex is manufactured by a company called Metagenics and may be purchased online.
Like you, being on Humira made me feel 90% better and kept my inflammation to only one wrist. So after 2 years of seeing no changes (i.e. wrist was still flaring up but not the other joints) i slowly weaned myself off the meds. It was only after changing my diet that my wrist started to heal. For 2 years, it was deformed, bent and unable to do much but ever since I went on my healthy eating regime, the inflammation has subsided and my wrist has regained most of its strength and function. During the occasional flare-ups (often as a result of me caving and eating food I shouldn't), I'll go get cortisone shots into my wrist and take prednisones till it gets better.
Right now, I'm just taking things a step at a time. As for joint erosion, because my wrist recovered, that's not my main worry at the moment.
Hope this helps.