What to Know About Supplements for Pain
Are you thinking about taking supplements to try to ease pain that seems to stick around? There are some that may help. It’s a good idea to talk with your doctor first about what works, what the side effects may be, how long you can use them, and whether it will affect any medicines you take.Â
Remember, there are many different causes of pain. So the supplement you try for arthritis might not be the same one you would consider for chronic pain caused by another condition or injury.
Pain Medication: Are You Addicted?
Many people taking medication to control chronic pain are afraid they'll become addicted to those drugs.Some people do become addicted, and the results can be devastating. But there are ways to limit your risk.Candy Pitcher of Cary, N.C., knows all about the fear of addiction. One summer day in 2003, a tree cutter working at Pitcher's home started to topple from his ladder. "If he hits the ground, he'll break his back. I have to catch him!" she thought.Pitcher broke the man's fall, which crushed...
Read the Pain Medication: Are You Addicted? article > >
If you decide to try a supplement, take one at a time so you know how it affects you. Follow the doses on the label, and give it at least a few weeks to see if it works for you. Also, keep your healthy diet going, since food is the best source of nutrients.
This antioxidant -- found in foods such as yeast, broccoli, potatoes, and spinach -- may help with some types of nerve pain. Some people with nerve pain take alpha-lipoic acid supplements daily, but ask your doctor before you start using it. People with diabetes or low blood sugar should use this supplement with caution, because it can lower blood sugar levels.
This supplement is a vegetable extract produced from the oils of avocado and soybeans. Studies show that it may help prevent cartilage from breaking down and provide relief from the pain of osteoarthritis.
This contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that may help relieve swollen and tender joints. Some people find they need less prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms while they use this supplement.
There can be side effects, including upset stomach, diarrhea, or bloating. It can affect the liver and may make liver problems worse. Borage seed oil may also make bleeding more likely, especially if you take aspirin or blood thinners.
This comes from amino acids that our bodies make naturally. Studies show that carnitine supplements may help relieve diabetic neuropathy and other types of nerve pain. Meat, fish, and milk are also good sources of carnitine.
Remember, there are many different causes of pain. So the supplement you try for arthritis might not be the same one you would consider for chronic pain caused by another condition or injury.
Recommended Related to Pain Management
Pain Medication: Are You Addicted?
Many people taking medication to control chronic pain are afraid they'll become addicted to those drugs.Some people do become addicted, and the results can be devastating. But there are ways to limit your risk.Candy Pitcher of Cary, N.C., knows all about the fear of addiction. One summer day in 2003, a tree cutter working at Pitcher's home started to topple from his ladder. "If he hits the ground, he'll break his back. I have to catch him!" she thought.Pitcher broke the man's fall, which crushed...
Read the Pain Medication: Are You Addicted? article > >
If you decide to try a supplement, take one at a time so you know how it affects you. Follow the doses on the label, and give it at least a few weeks to see if it works for you. Also, keep your healthy diet going, since food is the best source of nutrients.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
This antioxidant -- found in foods such as yeast, broccoli, potatoes, and spinach -- may help with some types of nerve pain. Some people with nerve pain take alpha-lipoic acid supplements daily, but ask your doctor before you start using it. People with diabetes or low blood sugar should use this supplement with caution, because it can lower blood sugar levels.
Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU)
This supplement is a vegetable extract produced from the oils of avocado and soybeans. Studies show that it may help prevent cartilage from breaking down and provide relief from the pain of osteoarthritis.
Borage Seed Oil
This contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that may help relieve swollen and tender joints. Some people find they need less prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms while they use this supplement.
There can be side effects, including upset stomach, diarrhea, or bloating. It can affect the liver and may make liver problems worse. Borage seed oil may also make bleeding more likely, especially if you take aspirin or blood thinners.
Carnitine
This comes from amino acids that our bodies make naturally. Studies show that carnitine supplements may help relieve diabetic neuropathy and other types of nerve pain. Meat, fish, and milk are also good sources of carnitine.