Originally published November 4 2005
Natural minerals may help alleviate the pain of arthritis sufferers
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A study published in the Journal of Inflammation found that SierraSil, a drug supplement manufactured by Vancouner-based Sierra Mountain minerals, found that the drug's natural minerals proved effective in reducing arthritis pain.
31/10/2005 - A combination of natural minerals from the Sierra Mountains shows promise in reducing the pain of arthritis, according to a study published in the Journal of Inflammation.
While other joint health supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine reduce pain by rebuilding cartilage, an earlier mechanism of action study indicated that SierraSil works by inhibiting the gene that causes inflammation.
The eight week, double-blind study involved 107 participants, all with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee.
They were divided into four groups: one group received 3g of SierraSil a day; one received 2g of SierraSil; one received 2 grams of SierraSil plus 100mg of botanical cat's claw extract; and the last group received a placebo.
The researchers measured the effectiveness of the interventions using the WOMAC scale (Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index).
They also measured a visual analog score (VAS) for pain, use of 'rescue' medication (paracetamol), and tolerability.
While all four groups showed an improvement in WOMAC and VAS at the end of the eight weeks, the WOMAC scores of the three SierraSil groups improved by between 38 and 43 percent, compared to 27 percent for the placebo group.
Those taking the herbomineral combination and high dose SierraSil used 23 to 28 percent less rescue medication.
In particular, they noted that participants did not display adverse effects to the intervention.
"As this mineral supplement is relatively unknown it was important to evaluate safety as well as efficacy," wrote the researchers.
Also interesting was a sudden, unexpected improvement in the placebo group in the sixth and eighth week of the study.
Although this could not be fully explained, the researchers said that it may be due to the greater use of rescue medication by the placebo group having an impact on their WOMAC scores.
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