Nutritional
supplements and herbs for bursitis
revolve around reducing the pain
and swelling of inflammation. Most
supplements that have been found
effective for inflammation
associated with arthritis,
strains, sprains and sports
injuries are also effective for
reducing symptoms of bursitis.
MSM
MSM (methyl
sulfonyl methane) is a natural
sulfur compound found in all
living things. It has been shown
to add flexibility to cell walls,
allowing fluids to pass through
the tissue more easily. While MSM
is normally found in many common
foods, such as meat, fish and a
variety of fruits, vegetables, and
grains, it is inactivated in our
food by processes such as heating,
storage, processing, and
cooking. It is an odorless,
water-soluble material that
provides a bioavailable source of
dietary sulfur.
MSM appears to
inhibit pain and inflammation, and
research suggests that MSM may
have a variety of benefits for
people with all types of
arthritis.[1]
In addition to its role in
reducing inflammation, MSM plays a
beneficial role in
immune health,
osteoporosis, hair, skin, nails,
athletic injuries, acne, wrinkles
and allergies. MSM can be taken
orally or applied topically, and
is well tolerated when using
proper dosing guidelines.
Curcuma longa
(turmeric)
Curcuma longa,
known as turmeric, has been used
in Ayurvedic medicine for
centuries. Its many uses make it
a very versatile remedy, but its
anti-inflammatory properties are
what help bursitis. The most
active constituent of turmeric is
curcumin, and most research
revolves around this component.
When used orally, curcumin
exhibits many direct
anti-inflammatory effects such as
inhibiting the formation of blood
clots, stabilizing cell membranes
thereby preventing the release of
inflammatory mediators.[2,
3] In
one study, curcumin was found to
be a more potent anti-inflammatory
than phenylbutazone and cortisone
in a rats suffering from acute
inflammation.[4]
However, curcumin was only half as
effective as these other agents in
diminishing chronic inflammation.
The topical application of
turmeric is also helpful in
reducing inflammation as well as
acting as a counter-irritant
thereby reducing pain.[5]
Turmeric is very
well tolerated. Because of its
safety, efficacy and excellent
tolerability compared to other
standard drug treatments it
provides a great alternative to
reducing inflammation of bursitis.
Bromelain
Bromelain refers to
a group of sulphur-containing
enzymes derived from the pineapple
plant that digest protein. Taken
away from food, bromelain helps to
reduce inflammation by traveling
to the site of injury and breaking
down the factors that promote
swelling, pain and inflammation.
Because of its ability to impact
many aspects of inflammation, it
is used often in sports injuries,
arthritis and strains including
bursitis. In one study, the
combined effect of curcumin and
bromelain reduced the need for
corticosteroids in those suffering
from rheumatoid arthritis.[6]
Vitamin C
Commonly known as
one of the most potent
anti-oxidants, vitamin C is also
very important to the repair of
injuries. It accelerates cellular
growth and repair and is important
in the production of collagen,
which the body uses to create
connective tissue. Those
suffering from chronic bursitis
could benefit from taking vitamin
C regularly, to strengthen the
body and make it less susceptible
to repeated injury.
Vitamin C's role in
decreasing inflammation is due to
its ability to inhibit the
secretion of prostaglandins,
chemical mediators that contribute
to symptoms such as pain and
swelling.[7]
However, its role as a powerful
antioxidant must be discounted, as
it scavenges free radicals that
also contribute to the
inflammation process
White Willow
Extract (Salix Species)
The Salix species
of trees (namely the white willow
tree) contains constituents that
are very effective in reducing
pain and inflammation. The
components salicin and salicyl
glycosides inhibit cyclooxygenase,
the enzyme involved in the
pathways of inflammation, making
it an excellent herb for
diminishing the discomfort of
bursitis. In fact, the modern day
aspirin is derived from the one
type of willow bark. The pain
reducing effect of this herb takes
a bit of time to take action, but
once it does, the effect is
maintained for several hours.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
When it comes to
inflammation, omega 3 fatty acids
found in
cold-water fish,
nuts, and seeds are extremely
effective in interrupting
pathways. These fatty acids are
essential to the body but not
produced by the body, and so must
be obtained from our diet and
supplementation. Omega 3 fatty
acids have two main functions:
they are involved in the integrity
and fluidity of cell membranes and
are also converted to a number of
important substances called
prostaglandins, some of which are
anti-inflammatory and others that
are pro-inflammatory.
Some studies show a
reduction of pain and inflammation
in those suffering from
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis, ulcerative colitis and
other inflammatory conditions when
supplementing with omega 3 fatty
acids.[8]
Omega 3 fatty acids work by
promoting pathways that decrease
arachidonic acid, a precursor to
pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.
|
Learn More About
Bursitis |
