Dear Dr. SerVaas: Please give me your opinion of Knox Nutrajoint supplements. For some time I have been using this for maintaining healthy bones and joints. Is it worthwhile?
Betsy Black
Burlington, North Carolina
Dear Reader: Research at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, shows that Nutrajoint concentrated gelatin supplements reduce joint pain and stiffness in athletes. Investigators at the Human Performance Laboratory believe that gelatin repairs minor cartilage damage which, left untreated, could result in more serious problems. In the study, men and women college athletes in all sports were given Nutrajoint or a placebo for eight weeks.
Dear Dr. SerVaas: Can you write about the use and effectiveness of grape juice and Certo for joint pain? I have read about this remedy, but do not know the combination in which they are mixed.
Christine Edwards
Oak Harbor, Washington
Dear Reader: We are not aware of any scientific studies of this remedy. But we have heard that a very reputable person, a pediatrician who is also a practicing child psychologist, drinks Certo mixed in grape juice to help her arthritic knees. Certo--a product containing water, fruit pectin, lactic acid, citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium benzoate--is commonly used to make jellies. She insists that she couldn't drive long distances unless she was on this therapy.
Post reader Leo Smith of Oxnard, California, also reports success with using Certo for joint aches. He says that he and his wife began using it about five years ago and now have normal knuckles and no aching joints. Some people recommend two teaspoons of Certo in three ounces of grape juice three times a day. Others take one tablespoon of Certo in eight ounces of grape juice once a day. Certo can be found where canning supplies are sold.
Dear Dr. SerVaas: I am interested in learning more about treating osteoarthritis with doxycycline. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Gayle Rice
Lake City, South Carolina
Dear Reader: A multicenter phase II trial is currently under way to test whether low-dose doxycycline can prevent or reduce the breakdown of joint cartilage associated with osteoarthritis. Animal studies suggest that tetracycline antibiotics, including doxycycline and minocycline, protect knee cartilage by inhibiting production of damaging enzymes.
Osteoarthritis affects primarily people over the age of 60 and causes significant disability. Other investigational treatments include acupuncture, estrogen supplementation, and stem cell replacement.
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