Go natural to ease arthritis

Winter is often harder on people with arthritis as their pain worsens, so the last thing they need during the colder months is treatment doing them more harm than good.

Glen Gillard, a practicing naturopath with more than 30 years’ experience and two clinics in Brisbane, says the winter season can bring certain problems in managing arthritis.

“Cold weather may sensitise the pain fibres in the joint capsule, and make the sufferer more sensitive to pain,” Mr Gillard says.

“People tend to exercise less and eat more, leading to weigh gain which adds to extra pressure to the joints, particularly the spine, knees and feet which bear a lot of the body’s weight.

“If sufferers are exercising less in winter and their joints remain immobile, they cannot effectively remove waste and gain nutrients so they seize up.”

A study recently published in the Nutrition Journal has shown natural anti-inflammatories made from botanical sources are just as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).

The pilot study compared botanical based ingredient Univestin to an NSAID and a placebo in subjects with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.

The results showed Univestin was superior compared to the NSAID and placebo in reducing stiffness and improving mobility, as measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) functional impairment and stiffness scores.

The study also established that Univestin was equivalent to the NSAID in reducing pain, as measured by the WOMAC pain score.

NSAIDs are commonly used as pain and inflammation reducers for people with arthritis, however concerns over their safety when taken with other medication has caused alarm amongst health professionals.

A Danish study of more than one million people revealed an increased heart attack and stroke risk from use of most NSAIDs.

Participants using NSAIDs had a 91% increased risk of cardiovascular death and a 29% increased risk of fatal, or non-fatal, stroke following the use of a common over the counter anti-inflammatory drug.

Univestin contains potent antioxidant bioflavonoids derived from standardised extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis root and Acacia catechu heartwood, both used for their anti-inflammatory properties.

It is the main ingredient which has reportedly already helped thousands of Australian arthritis sufferers.

Mr Gillard claims the combination of herbs in Univestin to be the most efficacious natural anti-inflammatory medication he has experienced.

“It’s wonderful that complex aches and pains can be modulated to the point where better health and quality of life can be achieved for the afflicted individuals.

“I believe when the immune system becomes overly reactive after excessive pain and inflammation, it can only reset and repair itself when it has the right food, nutrients clean water and air, and rest to be able to disarm a virus.

“This is because its energy is focused rather than burning itself out fighting the inflammation that seems to rage in these types of diseases for many individuals.

“If a person is already on NSAIDs they should check with their healthcare practitioner before taking these natural alternatives.”