What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Unlike arthritis from wear and tear, in rheumatoid arthritis (R A), the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints and inflames joint tissue.
Quercetin eases RA symptoms in women
In this first study of quercetin and RA, 50 women with RA took a placebo or 500 mg of quercetin per day. After eight weeks, while there were no changes for placebo, women taking quercetin had less morning pain and stiffness, less pain after activity, and fewer tender joints, compared to the start of the study.
Doctors also measured quality of life and sense of well-being, which improved for the quercetin group, with the disease in remission in a significant number of these women.
Pomegranate reduces RA activity in men and women
Earlier studies showed vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables are able to slow the progress of RA, but this is one of the first to test pomegranate extract as a supplement. Pomegranate is rich in polyphenolic compounds that are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
In this study, 55 men and women with RA took a placebo or 500 mg of pomegranate extract, in two 250 mg capsules per day. After eight weeks, those taking pomegranate had significantly lower disease-activity scores in joint swelling, tenderness, pain, and morning stiffness, compared to placebo. Signs of inflammation were also lower, and levels of the powerful antioxidant glutathione were higher for those taking pomegranate.
Discussing the findings, doctors said pomegranate demonstrated beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in men and women with rheumatoid arthritis.
Reference: Journal of the American College of Nutrition; 2017, Vol. 36, No. 1, 9-15
Natural Insights for Well Being August 2017
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