Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. There are over 100 different types of arthritis.

Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. Known as the "wear-and-tear" kind of arthritis. OA is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the joint?s cartilage. The breakdown of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are both related to molecules that compose cartilage. Glucosamine and glucosamine/chondroitin combination products are believed to have anti-inflammatory effects which help to relieve pain in people with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine might slow joint degeneration. Both Glucosamine and MSM products are used to relieve swelling and pain in people with osteoarthritis.Both glucosamine and MSM are believed to inhibit degenerative changes in joints of osteoarthritis. SAMe works by relieving pain and has some anti-inflammatory activity.

There is some evidence suggests that taking borage seed oil in combination with conventional analgesics or anti-inflammatory agents might help decrease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis after six weeks of treatment.

Some studies suggest that taking fish oil alone or in combination with naproxen (Naprosyn), seems to significantly decrease the duration of morning stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Use of fish oils might also reduce nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) requirements when used concomitantly.Vitamin E in conjunction with standard therapy is superior to standard therapy alone for reducing pain, but not inflammation, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Older women who have a higher intake of vitamin D tend to have a lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Some patients with osteoarthritis of the knee can experience some benefit from taking chondroitin; however, pain relief is likely to be modest or possibly insignificant.

MSM is primarily used for osteoarthritis. Preliminary research suggests MSM might inhibit degenerative changes in joints in animal models of osteoarthritis.