A number of therapies commonly incorporated into an integrative treatment plan for arthritis include diet modifications, nutrition, and supplements.

Anti-inflammatory Diet

Inflammation is essential to the immune system, but it is also at the root of most types of arthritis pain. For arthritis patients, the goal of an anti-inflammatory diet is to reduce unnecessary inflammation that leads to joint degeneration and pain.

See How Arthritis Causes Joint Pain

An anti-inflammatory diet:

  • Eliminates foods that may facilitate inflammation, such as processed foods, fried foods, red meat, and refined sugar products
  • Encourages eating foods thought to combat inflammation, including vegetables, fruits, and foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as seafood.

All anti-inflammatory diets eschew processed and sugary foods for high-fiber, whole foods; however, there is no singular anti-inflammatory diet that works for everyone. For example, some people report that dairy products, gluten, or nightshade vegetables—such as potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant—exacerbate joint pain while others do not.

See An Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Arthritis

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Dietary Supplements

Alternative treatments for arthritis include the use of dietary supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, and probiotics.

See Magnesium, Melatonin, and Probiotics for Fibromyalgia

Some of the most-researched supplements include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, ginger, turmeric (curcumin), and fish oil. These dietary supplements are safe for most people but can cause negative side effects in people with certain medical conditions, medications, or dietary restrictions. People are advised to talk to their doctors about specific supplements before taking them.

See Dietary Supplements for Treating Arthritis

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Capsaicin (Capsicum Frutescens)

Applied topically as a cream, gel or patch, capsaicin is used to relieve pain in people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other painful musculoskeletal conditions.1Laslett LL, Jones G. Capsaicin for osteoarthritis pain. Prog Drug Res. 2014;68:277-91. Review. PubMed PMID: 24941673.,2Stanos SP, Galluzzi KE. Topical therapies in the management of chronic pain. Postgrad Med. 2013 Jul;125(4 Suppl 1):25-33. Review. PubMed PMID: 24547601. Capsaicin is derived from chili peppers and provides a heating sensation on the skin that interrupts pain signals to the brain.

See Capsaicin Cream for Joint Pain

These creams are sold over the counter under different brand names, including Zostrix and Capsazin.

Watch: Video: Reduce Arthritis Inflammation with this Homemade Cream

  • 1 Laslett LL, Jones G. Capsaicin for osteoarthritis pain. Prog Drug Res. 2014;68:277-91. Review. PubMed PMID: 24941673.
  • 2 Stanos SP, Galluzzi KE. Topical therapies in the management of chronic pain. Postgrad Med. 2013 Jul;125(4 Suppl 1):25-33. Review. PubMed PMID: 24547601.

Dr. Vijay Vad is a sports medicine specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, where he specializes in back pain, knee arthritis, frozen shoulder, and general sports medicine. He previously served as a physician for the professional men’s tennis circuit and on the Westchester Classic of the PGA Tour.

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