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Can
Cherries Relieve the Pain of Osteoarthritis?
Newswise — For the estimated 27 million
Americans
who suffer from osteoarthritis, pain relief
may come with a cherry on top.
According to researchers with the Baylor
Research Institute, tart cherries, in pill
form, may be a promising pain-reliever for
this common and debilitating form of
arthritis.
More than half of the patients enrolled in a
2007 pilot study at the Baylor Research
Institute experienced a significant
improvement in pain and function after
taking the cherry pills for eight weeks.
Osteoarthritis, the most common type of
arthritis, is considered degenerative and
typically affects the hands, feet, spine,
and large weight-bearing joints, such as the
hips and knees.
Patients with osteoarthritis of the knees
were enrolled in this pilot study to assess
potential efficacy of the tart cherry pills.
“The current treatment of osteoarthritis is
largely focused on controlling pain through
use of over-the-counter acetaminophen or
prescription pain medications as well as
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,”
explains John J. Cush, M.D., rheumatologist
and principal investigator of the study.
“These conventional medications are widely
used, but have not been shown to alter the
natural history of the disease. In some
cases, overuse may contribute to significant
gastrointestinal, cardiovascular,
hematologic, renal and liver toxicity.”
Made from Montmorency tart cherries, this
preparation is made up of ground whole
cherries and given as a soft gelatin capsule
(marketed under the brand name CherryFlex®).
“This specific type of tart cherry is one of
the best studied natural products and
anecdotally has been claimed to have a
salutary effect on osteoarthritis and other
types of arthritis as well,” adds Dr. Cush.
Baylor Research Institute together with the
Arthritis Care & Research Institute is
currently enrolling patients in a second
study, which will test cherry pills versus
placebo in an eight week double blind study.
For more information about this study, call
1-800-4BAYLOR.
Dallas-based Baylor Research Institute, an
affiliate of Baylor Health Care System,
promotes research bringing innovative
treatments from the laboratory to the
patient bedside.
The Institute focuses on basic and
translational science, clinical trials,
health care effectiveness and quality of
care research.
Opened in 1996, Baylor Institute for
Immunology Research focuses on research that
involves the immune system, such as cancer,
autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and
organ transplantation. For more information
about the Baylor Research Institute or
Baylor Institute for Immunology Research,
visit
www.BaylorHealth.com or
www.BIIR.org
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