7 Natural Supplements That ACTUALLY Work for Ankylosing… — Transcript

I am going to go over seven supplements that can reduce pain, improve function, and reduce stiffness. If you suffer from ankylosing spondylitis, I would list them from the least effective to the most effective, backed by real science, not just internet trends. Hi, I'm Dr. Diana Gita, a board-certified rheumatologist. Every day in my clinic, I see patients overwhelmed by conflicting advice, most of which is given by internet searches, now even by AI-driven searches, or by their neighbor's experience, or even by advertisements that they see on TV. Currently, in 2024, people spend about $13 billion on joint supplements, and this is expected to grow to $38 billion by 2038 as the global population is aging. Ankylosing spondylitis, or AS as we call it, affects about 1% of the world population. In the US, about 3.2 million people suffer from AS, and many are interested in taking less medication and are willing to try natural alternatives like supplements. But the question is, are supplements enough to keep your disease from progressing? Are supplements for arthritis also good for AS? And which supplements were researched specifically for people with ankylosing spondylitis? Let's find out.

Number seven, we'll start talking about boswellia, that gained huge attraction in the last few years. Boswellia is a resin herbal product from Boswellia serrata. The boswellic acid is actually the one responsible for the powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Studies have found that boswellic acid can block the COX-2 enzyme and reduce inflammation as well as cartilage damage. A 2014 study that included multiple randomized control trials found that patients with osteoarthritis, which is a form of degenerative arthritis also called wear-and-tear arthritis, those people that took 100 milligrams of boswellia every day for three months had less pain, improved function in their joints, without serious side effects. A few other studies in 2018 and also in 2020 confirmed the benefits of using boswellia in patients with osteoarthritis. But how about patients with AS? Unfortunately, I was not able to find any studies at this time that prove the benefits of boswellia in patients with AS. But if you decide to give it a try, be careful. Talk to your doctor, as boswellia may increase the side effects of other drugs like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, or ibuprofen and immunosuppressants.

Number six, next let's talk about CBD oil or cream. Many of my patients will ask me these days, what do you think about CBD oil or CBD cream? Now research, especially in animal studies, less than humans, showed that CBD had a beneficial effect to reduce pain, inflammation, reduce anxiety, and improve the pain and sleep. Although there are some small studies in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that show that CBD may reduce the pain in patients with AS, I do not find any studies as of today. But if you decide to try CBD, since there are no established clinical guidelines, many experts recommend to start with the lowest dose possible and increase it gradually over the course of a few weeks. But remember, CBD oil or CBD cream will not replace your AS treatment.

Number five, another controversial supplement on the market. One of the supplements that are frequently bought is glucosamine chondroitin, but does this work for people with AS? Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural compounds found in the cartilages of your joints. You can buy glucosamine and chondroitin individually, but most of the time they are sold together as a single supplement. Initially, based on animal studies, people got very excited as glucosamine and chondroitin showed to have some anti-inflammatory properties, and they also showed some potential to slow down cartilage deterioration and reduce pain. However, is this as good in humans as it is in animals? Now, one study published in 2008 in 600 people with osteoarthritis, the study was called the GAIT study, looked at the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin versus celecoxib or versus taking an inactive pill that we call placebo. And the studies showed that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin did not offer significant relief in pain to those that participated in the study, but it did help a small subgroup of patients with moderate to severe knee pain. However, in a follow-up study from 2010, the same supplements improved pain and function, although no better than placebo or NSAIDs like celecoxib. There are a few other studies like the MOVES trial, which was published in 2016, that show that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin, if you take that for approximately six months, was as effective as celecoxib in order to relieve pain and swelling in people with mild osteoarthritis. Now, celecoxib is a very potent anti-inflammatory medication and sometimes comes with some side effects, but in the same study, glucosamine and chondroitin had no side effects reported, and this is important because if you have a history of heart disease or a history of GI bleed, it is best to avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, or celecoxib, and instead you may use these supplements as they are considered safe. However, there are no current studies to prove that glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are effective in patients with AS. Now, I think it makes sense to use them for those patients if you have contraindications for NSAIDs since they don't seem to have any side effects, but in no way believe that they will replace the treatment of AS. So don't get fooled to believe that they work for any type of arthritis. Let me stop for a few seconds and ask you a favor. I noticed that 85% of you that are watching these videos are not subscribed. If you are finding value in my videos, go ahead and subscribe now before you forget, and while you're on it, hit that like button because it helps YouTube recommend this video to more people who need this valuable information on immune diseases, rheumatology, and more.

Number four, let's continue with another popular supplement, turmeric or curcumin. Turmeric is a popular spice in Asian cuisine. Its active ingredient is curcumin, which is responsible for that beneficial effect. In my research, I found out about more than 1,000 studies about turmeric and inflammation, and more than 120 studies were clinical studies. Importantly, a few studies were done in patients with AS. Curcumin can help inflammation through several mechanisms. It blocks inflammatory enzymes like COX-2 enzyme, which is the same enzyme blocked by NSAIDs like ibuprofen or diclofenac, and in this way decreases inflammation. Studies in people with osteoarthritis, recent as 2020, showed that turmeric in a dose of 1 to 1.5 grams per day will reduce pain, inflammation, as well as the need to take ibuprofen or diclofenac, even in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which are other forms of inflammatory arthritis somehow similar with AS. The results were quite impressive. Turmeric in a dose of 1,000 milligrams per day for at least 90 days decreased inflammation, pain, and the number of swollen joints. Now, how about patients with AS? The results are contradictory. While some studies found it helpful like this study, other studies did not find the benefits of taking turmeric or curcumin like this study. My recommendation: you can try a turmeric supplement to replace the need of using NSAIDs, and if it is helpful, you should continue. But again, stay in contact with your rheumatologist and treat AS. Plus, you should choose a product that is enhanced with pepper because that will enhance the absorption of the supplement. But be careful because high doses of turmeric or curcumin can act as a blood thinner or can worsen the effect of blood thinners like Coumadin or warfarin.

Number three, let's talk about probiotics. The idea to use probiotics in patients with AS came from multiple studies that show that patients with AS have a lot of gut inflammation. Many patients with AS, about 6 to 14%, also have inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. So naturally, improving the gut microbiome by adding good bacteria provided by probiotics made...

100 milligrams bosia every day for three months had less pain improv function in their joints without serious side effects a few other studies in 2018 and also in 2020 confirmed the benefits of using boswelia in patients with osteoarthritis but how about patients with as unfortunately

I was not able to find any studies at this time that prove the benefits of boswelia in patients with as but if you decide to give it a try be careful talk to your doctor as both selia may increase the side effects of other drugs like anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs

or ibuprofen and immunosuppressants number six next let's talk about CBD oil or cream many of my patients will ask me these days what do you think about CBD oil or CBD cream now research especially in animal studies less than humans showed that c had a beneficial effect to reduce pain

inflammation reduce anxiety and improve the pain and sleep although there are some small studies in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that show that CBD May reduce the pain impatients with say I do not find any studies as of today but if you decide to try CBD since

there are no established clinical guidelines many experts recommend to start with theow as those possible and increase it gradually over the course of a few weeks but remember CBD oil or CBD cream will not replace your as treatment number five another controversial supplement

on the market one of the supplements that are frequently bought is glucosamin condroitin but does this work for people with as glucosamine and condroitin are natur natural compounds found in the cartilages of your joints you can buy glucosamine and contrain individually but most of

the time are sold together as a single supplement initially based on animal studies people got very excited as glucosamine and condroitin showed to have some anti-inflammatory properties and they also showed some potential to slow down cartilage deterioration and reduce pain however is this as

good in humans as it is in animals now one study published in 2008 in600 people with osteoarthritis the study was called gate study look at the combination of glucosamin En condroitin versus celx or celic oxy or versus taking an inactive field that we call Placebo and the studies show

that the combination of glucosamine and condroitin did not offer significant relief in in pain to those that participated in the study but it did help a small subgroup of patients with moderate to severe knee pain however in a follow-up study from 2010 the same supplements improve pain and

function although no better than Placebo or anets like celic oxy there are a few other studies like the moves stal which was published in 2016 that show that the combination of gluc cosamine and contrain if you take that for approximately 6 months was as effective as

celic oxy in order to relieve pain and swelling in the people with me osteoarthritis now celecoxib is a very potent anti-inflammatory medication and sometimes comes with some side effects but in the same study glucosamine and condrin had no side effects reported and this is important

because if you have a history of heart disease or a history of GI bleed it is best to avoid enets like ibuprofen neoen or celic oxum and instead you may use these supplements as they are considered safe however there are no current studies to prove that glucosamine and condrin supplements

are effective in patients with as now I think it makes sense to use them for those patients if you have contraindication for anets since they don't see to have any side effects but in no way believe that they will replace the treatment of as so don't get fooled to believe that they work

for any type of arthritis let me stop for a few seconds and ask you favor I noticed that 85% of you that are watching these videos are not subscribed if you are finding value in my videos go ahead and subscribe now before you forget and while you on it hit that like button

because it helps YouTube recommend this video to more people who need this valuable information on aimun diseases Rheumatology and more number four let's continue with another popular supplement turmeric or kurkumin turmeric is a popular Spice in the Asian Cuisine its active ingredient is

kurkumin which is responsible for that beneficial effect in my research I found out about more than 1,000 studies about to Merit and inflammation and more than 120 studies were clinical studies and important a few studies were done in patients with as cumin can help inflammation through several

mechanism it blocks inflammatory enzymes like cox2 enzyme which is the same enzyme blocked by insets like ibuprofen or dyana and in this way decreases inflammation studies in people with osteoar as recent as 2020 showed that to meric in a dose of 1 to 1.5 gr per day will reduce pain

inflammation as well as the need to take ibuprofen or diclofenac even in patients with Rhea arthritis and psoriatic arthritis which are other forms of inflammatory arthritis somehow similar with as the results were quite impressive T meric in a dose of 1,000 Mig per day for at least 90

days decrease inflammation pain and the number of swollen joints now how about patients with as the results are contradictory while some studies found it helpful like this study other studies did not find the benefits of taking turmeric or kurkumin like this study my recommendation you can try a

turmeric supplement to replace the need of using anset and if it is helpful you should continue but again stay in contact with your rumatologist and treat as plus you should choose a product that is enhance with pepper because that will enhance the absorption of the supplement but be careful

because high doses of turmeric or gumin can act as a blood cner or can worsen the effect of blood sinners like kodin or Warframe number three let's talk about probiotics the idea to use probiotics in patients with as came from multiple studies that show that patients with

as have a lot of gut inflammation many patients with as about 6 to 14% also have inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn and ulcerative colitis so naturally improving the gut microbiome by adding good bacteria provided by probiotics made a lot of sense some studies like this one suggest that

probiotics like lactobacillus May effectively slow the progression of as when used in conjunction with other therapies taking lactobacillus can also help relieve symptoms of inflammatory bow disease which as I said many people with as will have there are also other studies that suggest the

benefits of taking probiotics in people with Spar tropes like as with Improvement in their fatigue pain bowel symptoms and inflammation but let's also acknowledge that there are also studies that did not find the same benefits like this study now maybe the dose was not correct maybe the

type of good bacteria or the strains included in the probiotics were different or maybe we need to have more research to understand if probiotics are truly beneficial for as my advice if you are experiencing a lot of gut inflammation symptoms that will be related to IBD like

bloating diarrhea abdominal pain give it a try take them for at least 3 months and see if you notice any Improvement if you do continue but if you don't see any Improvement in 3 months it is not worth the money we are getting there we are getting closer to the supplements with the highest

benefit number two in the last years omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil gain a lot of popularity you have probably heard about the benefits of fish oil for your heart to decrease the cholesterol the triglyceride levels but have you heard about using fish oil or Omega-3 for arthritis fish oil

is the source of omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-3s are considered essential fatty acids because your body cannot produce them so you either take them from food or supplements there are many studies that link the use of fish oil or Omega-3s with anti-inflammatory effects studies in people

with rheumatoid arthritis lupus gout psoriatic arthritis osteoarthritis they did show impressive results the use of fish oil or Omega-3s was associated with significantly reduced joint pain stiffness swelling and most importantly decrease or eliminate the need to take an heads in patients

with mechanical back pain one study showed that using fish for about 4 months was able to reduce the need for using anets actually about 60% of patient disc continue to take any Nets and this is very important to note because there were no significant side effects reported in these studies

but how about patients with as a stud study from Sweden published in 2023 showed that people with a were having a diet which was lower in several nutrients with anti-inflammatory properties like fiber density omega-3 fatty acids vitamin D and selenium and they propose a nutritional screening

to be incorporated into the management of these patients with a another study showed that a low level of Omega-3s in the body correlated with an increased disease activity in patients with as another study that compared different doses of Omega-3 supplementation show that using a

higher dose like 4.5 gram per day show to have a statistically significant reduction in the disease activity however this study included just a small number of patients about 18 patients so these results require validation if if you decide to try omega-3 supplements it is safe and recommended to

have a dose between 2 and 4 Gams per day if you are interested I will leave a link to a product from a reliable company but be aware the results could be variable and I'm not endorsing the use of

this specific supplement the number one supplement that has the most scientific backup is a vitamin yes vitamin D as a rheumatologist I see many as patients with low vitamin D levels and here is what's fascinating this is not just a coincidence research shows that vitamin D

plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease actually low levels of vitamin D can cause the as onset in the context of a genetic predisposition there are also studies that show that patients with as have lower vitamin D levels and a lower vitamin D level in this patients was

also correlated with a higher disease activity and more inflammation but what does it mean when you deal with more inflammation that will also cause the bones to be weakened and people will develop osteoporosis faster and not only that but a low vitamin D level in patients with as it's also

correlated with an increased risk of mortality so please take it seriously a few years ago in 2022 the vital study shown a 22% reduction in the risk to develop autoimmune diseases in patients who took Vitamin D supplements the study recommended to take 2,000 international

units of vitamin D per day and 1,000 milligrams of marine omega-3 fatty acids again per day now my advice if your rumatologist did not check the vitamin D level you should suggest that and if the vitamin D level is low you should start supplementation with vitamin D3 this is a lot of

information about the use of supplements in a yes but there is so much more to know and to learn about so make sure you watch this video where I explain exactly what you need to treat as [Music] rumatologist on call.com