FYI Health Tip
Red hot chili pepper cream may help with joint pain. Look for a concentration of about 0.0125 percent.
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It’s time to get spicy! A recent study found that a gel containing capsaicin (the “hot” in hot chili peppers) significantly helped reduce knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Previous studies have found the same thing, but the concentration that they used was so high that it caused skin irritation and an unpleasant burning sensation. The concentration used in this study (0.0125 percent) was low enough to avoid that skin irritation and burning while still providing pain relief.
Health Poll
Loading ...The run-down on natural pain relief:
1. Ginger: Having fresh ginger after exercising may provide you relief from muscle soreness. It may also reduce joint pain associated with arthritis.
2. Tart Cherry Juice: Drink it right after a long, hard run to reduce soreness in your legs the next day.
3. Onions and Garlic: Eat up and get nice and smelly… it may relieve your joint pain!
4. Non-Citrus Fruit (cherries, berries, peaches, plums, bananas, etc.): People with a high intake of non-citrus fruit were less likely to have osteoarthritis than those with a low intake.
5. Hot Chili Peppers: This has only been shown to help topically (when applied on the skin like a lotion or cream), so keep your eyes out in the store for a cream that contains it. Look for one that has a concentration of about 0.0125 percent.
Capsaicin has some other “hot” properties; eating the whole chili pepper is not only a powerhouse of heat and joint relief but also a potent antioxidant (boosting your overall health), and possibly an aid in weight loss (may raise the metabolism slightly). If you have acid reflux, it’s recommended to avoid spicy foods as it can cause irritation to your esophagus. Otherwise, the next time you’re cooking or out to dinner, add some spice and then give your aching joints a rub.
Does glucosamine/chondroitin work? Well if this popular substance is working for you, then continue to use it. However, recent research suggests this supplement has shown to not be as effective as previously believed.
The supporting research
Capsaicin Gel Alleviates Arthritis Pain
Summary
It is known that osteoarthritis of the knee causes pain and also leads to some extent of disability. Previously, the chemical compound capsaicin has been tried as an ingredient in creams to relieve pain due to knee arthritis. High doses of this lead to burning and irritation of the skin over the knees. This study evaluated lower concentrations of this compound and found that levels as low as 0.00125 percent capsaicin, when applied over the knee in a gel, was an “effective treatment in mildly to moderately painful” osteoarthritis of the knees and caused fewer and milder side effects than higher concentrations of this chemical.
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