- With Mayo Clinic internist
Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Brent Bauer, M.D., is board certified in internal medicine. He is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine and director of the Department of Internal Medicine's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Bauer, a native of Madison, Wis., is also a professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School and a graduate of Mayo Medical School.
He serves on the editorial board of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter and is medical editor for EmbodyHealth Newsletter. He has been on staff at Mayo Clinic since 1992, first practicing at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., before joining Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., in 1996.
Dr. Bauer's principal research focus is the scientific evaluation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies that patients and consumers are using with increasing frequency. He has authored several book chapters and papers on this topic, and is the medical editor of the "Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine." Dr. Bauer also spearheaded collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Gaiam in the creation of a series of 10 DVDs (Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions). These DVDs address common health problems (for example, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure) with integrative medicine approaches that empower people to take charge of their health. His work is at the forefront of the emerging field of integrative medicine which combines the best of conventional medicine with the best of evidence-based complementary therapies.
Dr. Bauer has served on the NIH-NCCAM study section and is currently collaborating on over 20 studies being conducted at Mayo Clinic evaluating CAM therapies ranging from acupuncture to valerian. He is also a member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society; the American Federation for Medical Research; the North Central Cancer Treatment Group and other professional organizations.
Complications (2)
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the lungs?
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the eyes?
Treatments and drugs (4)
- Botox injections: Can they relieve arthritis pain?
- Hip resurfacing: An alternative to conventional hip replacement?
- Arthritis pain medications: Do they raise blood pressure?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies (4)
- Rheumatoid arthritis diet: Do certain foods reduce symptoms?
- MSM for arthritis pain: Is it safe?
- Water exercise: Does pool temperature matter?
- see all in Lifestyle and home remedies
Alternative medicine (3)
- Yucca: Can it relieve arthritis pain?
- Mangosteen juice: Can it relieve arthritis pain?
- Do infrared saunas have any health benefits?
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Question
Mangosteen juice: Can it relieve arthritis pain?
Can drinking mangosteen juice reduce arthritis inflammation and pain?
Answer
from Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
It might. A number of laboratory and animal studies suggest that mangosteen has significant anti-inflammatory effects. And a few small-scale studies in humans indicate that the juice helps reduce blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is a substance associated with inflammation, which may be caused by widespread infection or disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
But the studies that found this reduction in CRP were not conducted with people who have arthritis. And not everybody who has arthritis has an elevation in CRP. So at this point, while the data appears promising, it is still too early to say for sure what role mangosteen juice has in treating arthritis symptoms.
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia. Despite its name, mangosteen is not related to the mango. The mangosteen fruit is the size and shape of a tangerine, with a thick, dark rind and creamy flesh. Mangosteen is marketed as a supplement, both as a juice and in capsule form.
Next questionDo infrared saunas have any health benefits?
- Obolskiy D, et al. Garcinia mangostana L.: A phytochemical and pharmacological review. Phytotherapy Research. 2009;23:1047.
- Udani JK, et al. Evaluation of mangosteen juice blend on biomarkers of inflammation in obese subjects: A pilot, dose-finding study. Nutrition Journal. 2009;8:48.
- Tang YP, et al. Effect of a mangosteen dietary supplement on human immune function: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2009;12:755.
- Bauer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 8, 2011.
- C-reactive protein. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/crp/tab/test. Accessed Aug. 12, 2011.
- Mangosteen. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 12, 2011.
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