Treat Osteoarthritis with Seaweed?

A new supplement for joint health could provide osteoarthritis sufferers with a natural treatment option. Find out how help for the pain of osteoarthritis could come from the sea.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions that goes along with the aging process – so common that it affects almost every person over the age of sixty to some degree. The symptoms can be relatively mild with only a little joint stiffness upon awakening – to debilitating pain that interferes with every activity. When confronted with the pain of osteoarthritis, most people reach for a prescription or non-prescription anti-inflammatory, but these drugs have side effects – including an increased risk of heart disease and kidney problems. Now, a better treatment for joint health that’s all natural may be on the horizon – and it comes from the ocean.

Seaweed for Joint Health?
Researchers in Australia have discovered that an extract made from three different seaweeds combined with vitamins and minerals reduced the pain of osteoarthritis when given to twelve osteoarthritis sufferers for three months. The participants who took this natural formulation experienced greater ability to move with less pain and stiffness. Improvement in their osteoarthritis symptoms occurred in as little as a week and they experienced no significant serious side effects while on the supplement.

Other Natural Treatments for the Pain of Osteoarthritis
A variety of supplements have been marketed for joint health with varying degrees of effectiveness. The most popular natural treatment for osteoarthritis is glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate. Although some people experience improvement with this combination, studies looking at its effects have been mixed with the most recent larger studies calling into question its benefit. Nevertheless, some studies show that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements can ease the pain of osteoarthritis, so many doctors still prescribe it.

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils have also been proposed as a possible supplement for joint health due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Because they reduce inflammation, they may not only help with pain but reduce joint destruction as well. A combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate combined with omega-3 fatty acids may improve joint health in some people – although it may take several months to see results.

Seaweed for the Pain of Osteoarthritis: The Bottom Line?
Hopefully, this seaweed/vitamin/mineral combination will hold up to further testing and give those osteoarthritis sufferers who don’t respond to glucosamine and omega-3’s a natural treatment alternative. Until then, regular aerobic exercise, resistance training, and a healthy diet all benefit joint health. Talk to your doctor about whether these treatments are right for you.