How to cope with arthritis with supplements

Anyone suffering from a chronic, painful condition such as arthritis is a prime target for sham treatments, and there's no shortage of over-the-counter remedies and herbs that claim they'll make your life "normal" again. But while it's smart to be skeptical, studies find that some remedies show promise for relieving pain and restoring mobility. Here are some tips on using supplements to cope with arthritis.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a relatively recent arrival on the supplement scene, but DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), from which it's derived, has been touted as an arthritis remedy for decades.

• DMSO is an extremely versatile solvent that's used both for industrial purposes (it's in paint thinner and antifreeze) and medical applications (it's used to protect organs during transplantation, among other things).
• Though it is routinely used as an arthritis treatment in some countries, it is not approved for arthritis care in Canada.

The results from a mid-90s trial in Germany that showed benefits from rubbing a topical DMSO gel onto painful areas have yet to be reproduced in North America. Enter MSM, which has been touted as the active ingredient in DMSO — only safer. Proponents say it's an anti-inflammatory that can ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and some studies have suggested a benefit in mice. But there's no scientific evidence that it works in people or that it's safe.

Popularly known as "Sammy," S-adenosylmethionine is a naturally occurring chemical with dozens of functions in the body.

• Often used as an antidepressant, it's also reputed to rebuild cartilage, hinder inflammation and ease pain in people with osteoarthritis.
• It's long been available in Europe, where multiple studies have suggested SAM-e improves joint symptoms.

In one large study, about 80 percent of arthritis sufferers taking SAM-e reported less pain. Other studies find it has pain-relieving effects comparable to many NSAIDs, though SAM-e works more slowly. SAM-e generally appears safe in both human and animal studies. Though SAM-e isn't found in food, you may be able to boost your own natural production by eating green, leafy vegetables and other foods high in folate, which helps the body make SAM-e. Be sure to tell your doctor if you start taking supplements, especially if you're on antidepressants, which may interact with SAM-e.