Studies are now trying to discover whether there is a link between consumption of avocado and soybean oil and reduced arthritis pain. About 51.2 million Americans say that they have been diagnosed with arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout of fibromyalgia. If a study could find a way to reduce the pain these patients are experiencing, it could be a saving grace for many.
The hypothesis is that a supplement made from avocado and soybean oil could drastically reduce pain from arthritis with no side effects. However, these studies have had mixed results. Many short term studies found that a French avocado-soy-oil combination can reduce pain for three to six months. However, longer term studies show that it was no better.
Osteoarthritis, one form of many under the umbrella term arthritis, is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage. That cartilage is supposed to cushion the body’s joints so that they move slowly. But once that breakdown happens, the harsh movement of joints against each other causes pain. The medications that are currently prescribed to treat osteoarthritis can result in other health issues, including ulcers, heart attacks, and strokes.
Dr. Theodosakis, one of the studies’ authors who is also a clinical associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, says that eating avocados or soybeans does not have the same effect, as the supplements concentrate the beneficial parts, making them more powerful. The supplement has not been tested in a clinical trial.
Doctors say it isn’t harmful or a bad idea to try a supplement to see if it helps an individual, but there just is not enough evidence across a wide-range, long-term study to say that the supplements in this scenario will reduce pain. There are currently no other drugs that specifically target arthritis with no side effects, and many doctors say that their research will continue in order to hopefully find a new method.