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Cathy Wong

Shea May Slow Arthritis

By , About.com Guide   July 29, 2010

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Shea extract may help stall the progression of osteoarthritis, according to a new study. The study tested the effects of a compound sourced from the seed of the African shea tree (or Vitellaria paradoxa). Shea tree seeds are also used in the production of shea butter, a natural substance sometimes used to heal dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, burns, and rashes.

For the study, researchers assigned 89 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip to 15 weeks of treatment with shea extract or a placebo. Study results showed that those treated with shea extract experienced greater decreases in inflammation (compared to study members assigned to the placebo). What's more, the shea group showed a 28.7 percent reduction in degradation of cartilage, while the placebo group had a 17.6 increase in cartilage breakdown.

In past studies, supplements containing glucosamine have also been found to fight osteoarthritis.

Comments
July 29, 2010 at 7:12 pm
(1) Nail :

I sure would need something like this.
My occupation is making me stand all day long, beside that im working with my hands and feel pain in them too.

July 29, 2010 at 9:42 pm
(2) Sarah :

Don’t give up on treatments for arthritis, there are many traditional, natural, self help and non-medication techniques available. Thank you for the good information.

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