DEAR DR. GOTT: Have you ever heard of the supplement Protandim? I’ve been told that it could help my rheumatoid-arthritis pain. What can you tell me about it? And if it’s so great, why don’t doctors tell us about it?
DEAR READER: Let me start by saying I have no affiliation with this product.
Protandim’s ingredients include milk thistle, Bacopa extract, Ashwagandha, green-tea extract and turmeric extract. This dietary supplement is an antioxidant that has received a fair amount of publicity on national television, in newspapers and elsewhere as a new breakthrough in boosting the immune system.
Milk thistle has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for many ailments, including liver and gallbladder disease, and as an antidote for mushroom poisoning if given within 10 minutes of ingestion. When given within 24 hours, it’s purported to greatly reduce the risk of liver damage and death from ingestion. It contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Bacopa extract is used to restore and nourish the central nervous system. It contains antioxidants thought to protect brain cells and is commonly used to enhance memory and concentration.
Ashwagandha is commonly taken to relieve stress, treat inflammation and fever, and to protect against illness and infection. It is marketed as an immune-system booster, to improve memory and promote overall wellness.
Green-tea extract is derived from green-tea leaves. It contains antioxidant properties that can be generally divided into four aspects — antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-radiation and anti-carcinogen.
Turmeric extract is yet another antioxidant/inflammatory/bacterial remedy touted to support healthy skin, reduce cholesterol levels and joint pain, and possibly help in preventing some cancers.
Aging begins within every cell of the body and is both progressive and inevitable. As a person ages, the body produces fewer antioxidants to fight the aging process and disorders such as arthritis. The manufacturers of Protandim state that scientists agree that aging and many “deadly” diseases are the result of deterioration of cells owing to rogue molecules known as free radicals. The damage that occurs is known as oxidative stress. The product is touted to reduce that oxidative stress by an average 40 percent.
The product is contraindicated for people undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplant. Potential users should consult their physician before beginning the supplement, especially pregnant or nursing women and anyone on prescription medications.
The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated any of these statements; nor is Protandim intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
My guess? If you haven’t heard about this so-called breakthrough product, it is because your physician has chosen to address your medical issues through more conventional methods. Your arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that commonly affects the small joints of your feet and hands. It’s an autoimmune disorder, meaning your immune system is inappropriately attacking your own body’s tissues.
I recommend that you speak with your physician regarding an exercise program, apply heat or cold to your painful muscles, join a yoga program, or practice tai chi for pain control. Then consider NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medications, stronger prescription NSAIDs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) and others.
To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Consumer Tips on Medicine.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order made payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.
