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Q. I have started taking Certo and grape juice for my arthritis but wondered if you can use Certo in other juices, such as cranberry, orange or apple and get similar results?
A. There is no scientific data supporting this remedy for joint pain. One reader reported good results mixing Certo with pomegranate juice. Try one tablespoon in 8 oz. juice daily and report your results at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Joint pain is common symptom of iron overload. Grape juice is a known chelator of iron (that is, it causes iron to be sequestered and eliminated), which may be one of the mechanisms by which it's effective for pain relief. Berries in general are also natural sources of anti-inflammatory compounds, so fruits other than grapes might work on some level.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: HEMOCHROMATOSIS (TOO MUCH IRON) CAN CAUSE JOINT PAIN, BUT SO CAN CELIAC DISEASE, ASSOCIATED WITH IRON MALABSORPTION AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA. THE STORY ON GRAPE AND OTHER PLANT-DERIVED POLYPHENOLS IS COMPLICATED (Journal of Nutrition, Sept. 2008), BUT GRAPE JUICE JUST MIGHT BE ACTING AS YOU SUGGEST.
My husband and I seem to be getting good results for our arthritis by a combination of powdered pectin (we use Sure-Gel) and pomegranate juice. We do not use the sugar-free kind because it doesn't mix well with the juice.
We use a wine glass into which we pour about a tablespoon of the pectin, mix together with a small amount of the juice, then add juice up to the top of the glass and stir again.