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Experts from ARC looked at the evidence for commonly used supplements from randomised controlled trials and gave each a score from one to five with five being the most effective at improving pain, general wellbeing and movement.
For people with rheumatoid arthritis, the medicines researched scored poorly, with 13 out of 21 complementary medicines (62%) scoring just 1 point.
Fish oil - which is derived from the tissues of fatty fish like sardines, sprat, salmon, and mackerel - scored a maximum 5 for effectiveness among people with rheumatoid arthritis. .
For osteoarthritis Capsaicin gel, made from chilli peppers, proved the most effective, scoring the full 5 points. A therapy called phytodolor and the nutritional supplement S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), both received a 4 for effectiveness.
Glucosamine - one of the most widely taken products - worked in some trials but not others. The report found that the evidence is stronger for glucosamine sulphate (which scored 3) compared with glucosamine hydrochloride (which scored 1).
Only four products were assessed for fibromyalgia but none of them were highly effective, with three medicines scoring 2 out of 5, and the fourth scoring 1.
According to new research in the USA, middle-aged women who take multivitamin pills to guard against heart disease and cancer may be wasting their time.
Osteoarthritis:
Capsaicin gel - 5
Phytodolor - 4
SAMe - 4
Chondroitin - 3
Devil's claw - 3
Ginger - 3
Glucosamine sulphate - 3
Green-lipped mussel - 3
Indian frankincense - 3
Pine bark extracts - 3
Rosehip - 3
SKI 06X - 3
Articulin-F - 2
Cetylated fatty acids (CFAs) - 2
Chondroitin - 2
Collagen - 2
Duhuo Jisheng Wan (DJW) - 2
Gitadyl - 2
MSM - 2
Vitamins A,C,E (anti-oxidant vitamins) - 2
Vitamins D & B complex (non-anti-oxidant vitamins) - 2
Willow bark - 2
Eazmov - 1
Fish liver oil - 1
Glucosamine hydrochloride - 1
Homeopathy - 1
Reumalex - 1
Stinging nettle - 1
Rheumatoid arthritis:
Fish body oil - 5
Borage seed oil - 3
Evening primrose oil (EPO) - 3
Thunder god vine - 3
Biqi capsule - 2
Cannabis oral spray 2
Cat's claw - 2
SKI 06X - 2
Antler velvet - 1
Blackcurrant seed oil - 1
Collagen - 1
Eazmov - 1
Feverfew - 1
Flaxseed oil - 1
Green-lipped mussel - 1
Homeopathy - 1
Reumalex - 1
Selenium - 1
Tong luo kai bi - 1
Vitamins A,C,E (anti-oxidant vitamins) - 1
Willow bark - 1
Fibromyalgia:
Capsaicin gel - 2
Homeopathy - 2
SAMe - 2
Anthocyanidins - 1
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