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Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
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Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Brent Bauer, M.D., is board certified in internal medicine. He is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine and director of the Department of Internal Medicine's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Bauer, a native of Madison, Wis., is also an associate professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School and a graduate of Mayo Medical School.
He serves on the editorial board of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter and EmbodyHealth Newsletter and has been with Mayo Clinic since 1992, first practicing at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., before joining Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., in 1996.
Dr. Bauer's principal research focus is the scientific evaluation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies that patients and consumers are using with increasing frequency. He has authored several book chapters and papers on this topic, and is the medical editor of the "Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine." Dr. Bauer also spearheaded a collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Gaiam in the creation of a series of 10 DVDs (Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions). These DVDs address common health problems (for example, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure) with integrative medicine approaches that empower people to take charge of their health.
Dr. Bauer is a member of NIH-NCCAM study section and is currently collaborating on over 20 studies being conducted at Mayo Clinic evaluating CAM therapies ranging from acupuncture to valerian. He is also a member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society; the American Federation for Medical Research; the North Central Cancer Treatment Group and other professional organizations.
Complications (2)
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the lungs?
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the eyes?
Treatments and drugs (4)
- Botox injections: Can they relieve arthritis pain?
- Hip resurfacing: An alternative to conventional hip replacement?
- Arthritis pain medications: Do they raise blood pressure?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies (3)
- Rheumatoid arthritis diet: Do certain foods reduce symptoms?
- MSM for arthritis pain: Is it safe?
- Water exercise for arthritis: Does pool temperature matter?
Alternative medicine (1)
- Mangosteen juice: Can it relieve arthritis pain?
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Question
Mangosteen juice: Can it relieve arthritis pain?
Can drinking mangosteen juice reduce arthritis inflammation and pain?
Answer
from Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
A number of laboratory and animal studies suggest that mangosteen has significant anti-inflammatory effects. Unfortunately, at this time, there have been no human studies to determine if these anti-inflammatory effects will be helpful to people with arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia. Despite its name, mangosteen is not related to the mango. The fruit is the size and shape of a tangerine, with a thick, dark rind and creamy flesh. Mangosteen is marketed as a supplement, as a juice and in capsule form. The juice typically consists of a mix of mangosteen and other fruit juices, such as apple, pear and blueberry — with an often undisclosed amount of mangosteen juice.
Like many fruits and vegetables, mangosteen is a rich source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are natural compounds in foods that may protect against certain diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Mangosteen also contains some unique chemicals called xanthones, which appear to have potent anti-inflammatory effects in the laboratory.
So for the time being, drink mangosteen juice if you enjoy the taste. But until human studies are completed, claims that mangosteen can cure arthritis or any other disease are just that — undocumented claims.
Next questionRheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the lungs?
- Marcason W. What are the facts and myths about mangosteen? Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2006;106:986.
- Mangosteen. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 23, 2009.
