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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Shea Butter Not Just for Good Looks

Q: Dear Elena, I've heard that pure Shea Butter helps in relieving aches and pains, is this true? If it's not, what would you recommend for chronic, low-back pain? Thank you in advance for your advice.

A: Most have heard of the power of Shea Butter to moisturize and repair damaged, aging skin. It is an ingredient in many high-end moisturizers.

Now, a growing body of research suggests that natural compounds found in the oils of the shea tree don't just help you look good, they may also be what is really bubbling out of Nature's own fountain of youth - helping us to turn back the clock on a variety of age-related conditions, including those aches and pains of menopause.

The research was published in the January 2010 issue of the Journal of Phototherapy Research. Here doctors from the Australian Center for Complementary Medicine Education and Research (ACCMER) documented how a supplement containing therapeutic doses of shea oil has the ability to not only reduce incidence of midlife joint pain, but also in some instances actually reverse of the underlying age-related damage behind the pain.

The secret lies in a natural chemical known as triterpene, found naturally in shea oil. When present in therapeutic levels it works by reducing levels of an inflammatory compound known as TNF alpha – a natural substance made by the body when joints are under stress.

Shea extract, the principal ingredient of FlexNow, [supplement used in the study] has been shown to significantly reduce both joint pain and elevated levels of TNF alpha. There was also a significant decrease in the breakdown of cartilage in the osteoarthritis patients who received the shea extract.

The study found that after just 3 months of use, participants taking the supplement experienced some 25% reduction in joint inflammation and a reduction in several inflammatory "markers" associated with joint damage.

This may be particularly important for women over 35. From this age forward women begin to gradually lose both estrogen and progesterone. While the drop in these hormones is most often associated with the traditional hot flashes and night sweats, doctors now know it also impacts how a woman perceives pain. Complicating matters further, when estrogen levels are high they keep a lid on the production of inflammatory chemicals particularly those linked to not just joint pain, but also heart disease, high blood pressure, and even diabetes. Without estrogen's protection, production of all these inflammatory chemicals can increase, causing us to feel more aches as we age.

The study also showed that across the board rates of inflammatory chemicals dropped nearly 11% in all the study participants using the shea tree extracts – while inflammation in those taking the placebo increased by nearly 12%.

According to the researchers, their findings indicate that in patients with the highest levels of osteoarthritis symptoms, Shea extract [the active ingredient in FlexNow] demonstrated multiple beneficial activities consistent with slowing the disease process.

Previous studies on Flex Now found it also had a positive impact on inflammatory markers linked not only to joint pain, but those linked to high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

All The Healthy Way articles:

Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist