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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffSeveral natural approaches have been shown to be helpful for some people with psoriatic arthritis. You may want to investigate:
- Vitamins and minerals. Several large, long-term studies have shown that a carotenoid called beta-cryptoxanthin and the mineral zinc may help prevent some forms of arthritis. Beta-cryptoxanthin, a substance found in fruits and vegetables, is converted in your body into retinol, an active form of vitamin A. Top sources include papaya, red bell peppers, oranges, corn and watermelon. Zinc-rich foods include liver, sesame and pumpkin seeds, yogurt and shrimp. In general, eating a diet high in fruits and, especially, cruciferous vegetables — broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts — is associated with a reduced risk of arthritis and helps promote overall health.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine and chondroitin are compounds that help make your cartilage strong and rigid. They're also sold — together and separately — in supplement form in many drugstores and natural foods stores. Because they're components of normal cartilage, it's thought that glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may help the body repair cartilage damaged by arthritis. Although this hasn't been proved, studies at the National Institutes of Health did find that glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate helped relieve moderate to severe pain. Chondroitin may also be helpful in treating psoriasis.
- Fish oil supplements. A number of studies have shown the value of fish oil supplements in reducing arthritic pain, swelling and stiffness. Fish oil also appears to enhance the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. An added benefit is that fish oil can lower high blood pressure and triglycerides and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease overall.
References
- Questions and answers about psoriasis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/psoriasis/psoriafs.htm. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Psoriatic arthritis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/psoriatic_new.asp. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Psoriasis of the nails. National Psoriasis Foundation. http://www.psoriasis.org/about/psoriasis/sites/nails.php. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Psoriatic arthritis. National Psoriasis Foundation. http://www.psoriasis.org/about/psa. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Gordon KB, et al. The treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: An interdisciplinary approach. The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2006;54(3)(suppl):S85-S91.
- Cerhan JR, et al. Antioxidant micronutrients and risk of rheumatoid arthritis in a cohort of older women. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2003;157(4):345-354.
- Imokawa S, et al. Methotrexate pneumonitis: Review of the literature and histopathological findings in nine patients. The European Respiratory Journal. 2000;15(2):373-381.
- Tobin AM, et al. TNF alpha inhibitors in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. BioDrugs. 2005;19(1):47-57.
- Gladman DD, et al. Patient information: Psoriatic arthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 11, 2008.
