People with arthritis often find themselves in a tough spot. Doctors prescribe medications such as diclofenac or meloxicam for joint pain. Possibly, the patients take over-the-counter pills such as ibuprofen or naproxen. All of these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause potentially dangerous reactions. How else might one ease the pain? Is there a better arthritis remedy?
Looking for a Better Arthritis Remedy:
Q. The combination of pectin and grape juice has been a blessing for me. My arthritis is very bad from an accident that affected my knees, ankles and hips. The pain is unbelievable! I am on a narcotic that did not touch the arthritis pain. Instead, this wonderful mixture has taken all my joint pain away.
The trouble is this: I also have type 1 diabetes. Is the help mostly from the pectin or do I need the combination of grape juice and pectin? We got Pomona’s Pectin, which has no taste and presumably no sugar. Grape juice is high in sugar, but I don’t know if you need the grape juice for effectiveness.
Can You Drink Grape Juice If You Have Diabetes?
A. Unsweetened grape juice has about 36 g of sugar in a glass. However, the glycemic index and glycemic load of grape juice are low (Journal of Nutrition, July 22, 2009). So, with care, you might fit it into your diet as long as you use the remedy with a meal and test your blood glucose regularly. On the other hand, you might find that it raises your blood sugar too much. You are justified in seeking a better arthritis remedy.
Unfortunately, no one has studied this combination to see which portion of it might provide benefit. Probably the best way for you to find out if the pectin alone will help is to try it. Do your own experiment, and please tell us what you learn. We’d also like to know if you add it to food or to some lower-calorie fruit juice.
Is There a Better Arthritis Remedy in the Book?
If you would like other suggestions on nondrug approaches to relieving joint pain, you might be interested in our book, The Graedons’ Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis. It is finally back in stock at the books section of our store at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. In it, you’ll find numerous remedies that people have found helpful for joint pain. Some people with diabetes find that unflavored Knox gelatin mixed with unsweetened yogurt can be helpful for arthritis pain.
