Osteoarthritis: Three Game-Changing Meta-Analyses

From the Natural Path Newsletter
by Linda Woolven M.H., R.Ac & Ted Snider
 

It’s hard to say which treatment is the best for osteoarthritis because several natural treatments—but not a pharmaceutical treatment—vie for the title. But the evidence is building up fast for these two safe, effective, natural treatments. Recently published meta-analyses is building that evidence even higher.

Curcumin
The evidence for curcumin is overwhelming. A recent review of 16 controlled studies of curcumin and osteoarthritis found that people taking curcumin could walk further and that the curcumin decreased their Western Ontario and McMasters Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. Every study that compared curcumin to NSAIDs found that it worked as well or better (Nutrients 2019;11:1004. pii: E1004).

A previous review of 15 studies showed that curcumin improves pain, physical function and quality of life while reducing the need for painkillers and side effects from drug treatment (Drug Des Devel Ther 2016;10:3029–3042). And a systematic review and meta-analysis of all controlled studies of curcumin for osteoarthritis found that 1g a day significantly reduces pain and significantly improves the WOMAC osteoarthritis index and that it is as effective as pain meds (J Food Med 2016;19(8):717-29).

Now two new systematic reviews and meta-analyses put the evidence over the top. The first included ten studies that compared curcumin to placebo for osteoarthritis of the knee. Curcumin was significantly better for pain relief and functional improvement. Importantly, the improvements were not only statistically significant but clinically significant (Phytother Res. 2021 Nov;35(11):5921-5935).

The second included 15 controlled studies. The studies that compared curcumin to placebo found curcumin to be superior for improving pain, function and stiffness on the WOMAC osteoarthritis index. Curcumin was not only effective but safe: so safe that it was as harmless as placebo. Compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), curcumin was superior because it was as effective but significantly safer, which is important because of the significant long term side effects of NSAIDs. Adding curcumin to NSAIDs was also more effective than NSAIDs alone (Biosci Rep (2021) 41 (6): BSR20210817).

The authors of the second study say that, since curcumin has “obvious anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and no adverse reactions such as [on the] gastrointestinal tract” curcumin “may become a substitute for NSAIDs.”

Boswellia
Several studies have established boswellia as a lesser known, but remarkable herb for osteoarthritis. It not only improves pain and scores on the WOMAC osteoarthritis scale (Drug Metabol Pers Ther June 8, 2020;35(2)), but, remarkably, it actually reverses the osteoarthritis: X-rays show an increase in the space between the knee joints and a decrease in spurs (Phytother Res May 2019;33(5):1457-1468).

A newly published systematic review and meta-analysis has firmly established boswellia as an important herb for osteoarthritis. Seven controlled studies were included. Six of them measured changes of patient’s rating on a visual analog scale. Boswellia was significantly better than placebo.

Four reported changes on the WOMAC osteoarthritis index for pain, stiffness and function. Boswellia was significantly better than controls for all three measures.

Six reported changes on LAI score. LAI assesses pain, discomfort, maximum walking distance and activities of daily living. Again, boswellia was significantly superior to controls.

In the five studies that reported adverse events, boswellia was as safe as placebo (BMC Complement Med Ther. July 17, 2020;20(1):225).

So, what’s the best treatment for osteoarthritis? Several natural treatments vie for the title. But this flood of important systematic reviews and meta-analyses surely makes curcumin and boswellia serious contenders for the title.

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The Natural Path is a natural health newsletter specifically designed to help Canadian health food stores increase their sales by educating their customers. The Natural Path contains no advertising and never mentions a brand name.

Contact Ted Snider at tedsnider@bell.net or at 416.782.8211.

For comprehensive natural help with your health, make an appointment to see Linda Woolven now. Linda’s clinic is now open for virtual appointments. Linda is a master herbalist, acupuncturist, and solution-focused counsellor with a practice in Toronto. Linda is also an artist whose paintings hang in galleries and private collections across North America. You can see some of her painting here.

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Peter told me about the latest and greatest idea that he had to improve his business. He was so excited because this new revenue stream was going to ensure that his organization had money coming in that would stabilize the income streams to enable the business to thrive once again. Truth be told, this particular business seemed to have had its glory days 40 years ago. However this new leader was adamant that his creative idea was going to revive that glory. What Peter failed to realize was that his unique idea had been floated 25 years ago and there had been no action. Could it be that the time was now right?

Timing is important when it comes to business and investing. I know from my own experience that I have bought the right stocks but at the wrong time. I have invested in ventures that were too early for their time.

In the year 2001 for example, my brother Rob and I and several others put time, money and energy into a product we called Butterfly Mail. This was an email service software that could send pre scheduled emails out to an audience and could be crafted in advance and sent to populated email addresses. Unfortunately, we gave up after 18 months as we couldn’t gain traction.

In 2001 a tech startup called Mailchimp created something similar to Butterfly Mail to send greeting cards. This company morphed into an email marketing service which is now valued at $12 Billion dollars. Oh well if we stuck with it we might have been rich, however I probably couldn’t spend 20% of a 12 Billion dollars anyways.

In another investment in property, I ended up holding something akin to swampland, with some partners for 20 years in the hopes that a community would grow, when in fact it shrunk.

For most people the saying "we could have, should have, would have, but didn’t" is more in line with their style of action. Theodore Roosevelt’s Man in the Arena quote states it well.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

You are going to look at many of your projects and recognize that perhaps your timing was off. That you could have been rich, or famous, but you aren’t. That as an investor, entrepreneur or even a lover or a parent you weren’t as successful as you wanted to be. But so often we focus on our failures, our errors, our mistimings and consider ourselves to be unworthy. We let our past events hold us back and create doubts about our future endeavours. In many cases we alone are our worst critics.

So what if your timing is off. Peter might just be successful in his venture even though it may have been a roaring success already if it was initiated by his predecessors 25 years ago. While timing is important, it's action that is more important. From action comes the fundamentals of success, the relief for anxiety and the dream of a brighter future.

Dave FullerMBA is an award winning Business Coach and the author of the book Profit Yourself Healthy. Take action and email your questions or comments to dave@pivotleader.com

Topic: Turkey Tail Mushroom Enhances Immune Function in Breast Cancer Patients After Radiation Treatment

If you’re post-menopausal, there’s a good chance you have high blood pressure! And you are likely unaware because you have no symptoms.
 

High blood pressure (hypertension) has been shown to put excess stress on the blood vessels and arteries, leaving women susceptible to heart disease (including heart attack), stroke, and even dementia!

Once 140 / 90—where 140 measures the pressure of the artery walls when your heart is beating and 90 measures the pressure on the artery walls between heartbeats—the American College of Cardiology changed their recommendation to 130 / 80 in 2017. When is the last time you checked your blood pressure?

There are known causes of high blood pressure and many of them are connected to lifestyle choices. They include:

Additionally, certain medications can cause high blood pressure and / or increase dehydration.

It’s no surprise that stress is a major contributing factor. Adopting a stress-management practice, for example one with meditation and/or yoga, provides benefits that support the whole body’s health, including its circulation and how it responds when active versus when resting.

So why are women post-menopause more susceptible than their younger counterparts?

The biggest culprit is hormonal changes. Specifically the drop in heart-protective estrogen levels during and after menopause.

Coincidentally, these hormonal changes can also cause:

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