The demise of some Cox 2–inhibiting drugs has created deep concerns among the millions of Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis (OA).

The good news is that natural alternatives are available. Safe and effective, some of these pain relievers have also been shown to slow the progression of osteoarthritis and even reverse degenerative damage.

Inflammation and Pain

All types of arthritis are characterized by chronic inflammation. While there are more than 100 types, the most common is osteoarthritis—also called degenerative joint disease—affecting nearly 21 million Americans. More than 40 million of us experience occasional joint pain, according to researchers at the Mayo Clinic.

OA most commonly strikes the hips and knees, the primary weight-bearing joints. When joint-cushioning cartilage breaks down, bones rub against one another—causing pain, loss of movement, and inflammation.

If you’ve sprained an ankle or hit your thumb with a hammer, acute or temporary inflammation cushions the injured area and usually disappears in a week or two. However, chronic inflammation, like that found in OA, can lead to more serious health problems, such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and bowel disorders, says Nancy Appleton, PhD, in Stopping Inflammation.

Safe, Effective, and Natural

Long-term solutions and pain relief are available, thanks to natural medicine. Ginger may be one answer. With 477 documented active ingredients, this anti-inflammatory herb contains several powerful natural Cox-2 inhibitors, including melatonin, curcumin, and kaempferol. Yet ginger is so gentle that it is often recommended for morning sickness in pregnant women. Studies have shown that a moderate dosage of this herb inhibits the formation of inflammatory pain-causing prostaglandins by up to 56 percent. And a University of Miami study found that 63 percent of patients with knee OA showed improvement after taking ginger for just six weeks.

Turmeric, the culinary herb that gives curry its golden color, inhibits the Cox-2 enzyme while keeping Cox-1 levels steady. The curcumin in turmeric appears to inhibit the production of inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. A study from the prestigious M. D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas shows turmeric reduced inflammation as effectively as the prescription drug phenylbutazone (Butazolidine).

A form of amino sugar often derived from the shells of shellfish, glucosamine sulfate appears to work in two ways: by stopping the breakdown of cartilage and by stopping the inflammation cycle. One Belgian study suggests that this supplement dramatically slows deterioration in the joints of menopausal women. Glucosamine is perhaps the best-known and best-studied supplement for relieving joint pain, although recent research suggests a higher dosage may be needed than what many supplements contain.

For improved effectiveness, glucosamine is often combined with other ingredients:

• Chondroitin may improve joint mobility and slow cartilage loss. A recent analysis of clinical trials indicated that supplementing with chondroitin appears effective against arthritis pain.
• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) contains sulfur molecules that help relieve pain and help the body to build certain amino acids (building blocks for proteins) like collagen, from which cartilage is formed. A small preliminary study showed patients received an 80 percent reduction in pain when taking MSM. A recent scientific paper also finds MSM effective for osteoarthritis of the knee.

Helpful Lifestyle Changes

A diet rich in whole foods, fruits, and vegetables can help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation. Avoiding stress, environmental toxins, and cigarette smoke as much as possible can be useful