Osteoarthritis: Elaine reveals her experience of the condition
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Arthritis and other joint problems currently affect around 10 million people in the UK. They can cause serious pain and inflammation in the joints, while restricting movement. While there is no cure for the condition there are ways to help ease the symptoms.
Like many medical conditions, there is proof that diet can have an impact on arthritis.
Specifically, studies have shown how ginger works to tackle some of the complications.
One paper, published in the Arthritis and Rheumatology journal, considered the effects of the root on osteoarthritis – one type of the condition.
Osteoarthritis affects almost nine million people in the UK, making it the most common form of the condition in the region.
To begin with, it compromises the smooth cartilage lining of the joint, making movement more difficult and leading to pain and stiffness.
It mainly affects joints in the hands, knees, spine and hips.
As part of the research, conducted by academics from the University of Miami, more than 260 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee took part in a six week trial.
Patients were given either ginger extract or a placebo twice daily, with acetaminophen allowed as rescue medication.
It found: “In the 247 evaluable patients, the percentage of responders experiencing a reduction in knee pain on standing was superior in the ginger extract group compared with the control group (63 percent versus 50 percent).
“Analysis of the secondary efficacy variables revealed a consistently greater response in the ginger extract group compared with the control group.”
It concludes: “A highly purified and standardised ginger extract had a statistically significant effect on reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee.”
A separate study, published in Clinics journal, showed how ginger could have anti-inflammatory properties.
It tested the use of ginger extract on rats with liver cancer.
It says: “In conclusion, ginger extract significantly reduced the elevated expression of NFkappaB (a protein complex that controls cell survival) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in rats with liver cancer.
“Ginger may act as an anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent by inactivating NFkappaB through the suppression of the pro-inflammatory TNF-alpha.”
The second most common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which is when the body’s immune system targets affected joints, causing pain and swelling.
It is an autoimmune condition, which means it’s caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue
In comparison, there are a number of factors that can cause or raise your risk of osteoarthritis including:
- Joint injury
- Other conditions (secondary arthritis)
- Age Family history
- Obesity.
Symptoms of arthritis will depend on what type you have, but can include:
- Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness
- Inflammation in and around the joints
- Restricted movement of the joints
- Warm red skin over the affected joint
- Weakness and muscle wasting.
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