Omega-3 Fats and Glucosamine: Two Arthritis Powerhouses Even Stronger Together

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Some of the other treatment methods available are appropriate for both RA and OA, as both involve joint pain, swelling and inflammation. Hence the typical anti-inflammatory approaches such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and analgesics, like Tylenol, can be used for either.

However, while these can relieve pain – and there’s a lot to be said for pain relief – it’s very important to understand that the regular, chronic use of these types of medications are associated with significant, and very serious, side effects such as kidney and/or liver damage. In the U.S. overuse of analgesics such as these are very common sources of kidney failure.

NSAIDs also kill some 30,000 people every year due to bleeding ulcers, and the oral drugs have been linked to a host of problems, including heart failure -- Vioxx and Celebrex being prime examples of these very real dangers.

This is not to say that they are not useful agents in some cases, but you need to use them very cautiously. This is also why it’s so vital that you seek out the underlying cause of your problem and treat the root cause, so that you can avoid these types of medications to begin with.

Omega-3, as I mentioned earlier, is recommended for either type of arthritis, as it helps prevent inflammation in general.

In addition to that, I also recommend:

Nutritional typing – Your unique biochemistry and genetics influence the ratio of fat, protein and carbohydrates your body needs to thrive, so eating for your nutritional type will ensure that you get the optimal macronutrient ratio out of your diet.

Safe symptomatic approaches for pain -- There are some symptomatic approaches you can use for both conditions. Acupuncture, for example, is a safe and typically effective treatment method for pain.

Herbs and some spices or oils can also be helpful against pain and inflammation. Just remember, they are not treating the cause, only the symptoms.

Here is a list of safe alternatives that may help:

Boswellia – Also known as boswellin or "Indian frankincense," this Indian herb is one treatment I’ve found to be particularly useful against arthritic inflammation and associated pain.
Ginger – This herb is anti-inflammatory and offers pain relief and stomach-settling properties. Fresh ginger works well steeped in boiling water as a tea or grated into vegetable juice.
Bromelain: This enzyme, found in pineapples, is a natural anti-inflammatory. It can be taken in supplement form, but eating fresh pineapple may also be helpful.
Cetyl myristoleate (CMO): This oil, found in fish and dairy butter, acts as a "joint lubricant" and an anti-inflammatory.
Evening primrose, black currant and borage oils: These contain the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which is useful for treating arthritic pain. It is reasonable for many to take these as a supplement, particularly if you struggle with dry skin in the winter, as this is a strong indicator that you are deficient in these fats. I prefer the use of GLA supplements from evening primrose oil but borage oil contains a higher concentration of GLA, which means you need fewer capsules, and it tends to be less expensive.
Cayenne Cream: Also called capsaicin cream, this spice comes from dried hot peppers. It alleviates pain by depleting the body's supply of substance P, a chemical component of nerve cells that transmits pain signals to your brain