They line up on store shelves like soldiers, those bottles and boxes of dietary supplements that beckon you with promises of relief. Less pain. Better sleep. Stronger bones. Healthy joints. Hard to turn your back, isn't it?

If you are tempted, you're not alone. Whether you are interested in all things "natural," want to avoid side effects from prescription drugs, or want to leave no stone unturned in your quest for relief from a disease that has no cure, you are set to join the 64 percent of Arthritis Today readers who have used a dietary supplement in the past six months. That's compared to 49 percent for the general population. No doubt, people with arthritis are helping to make supplements a thriving industry. 

Science is increasingly finding real therapeutic potential in many herbs, chemical compounds and other substances sold as "dietary supplements." But despite their allure - and their popularity -
supplements are no sure thing. Many lack solid scientific evidence that they do what they claim to do. It's just hard to know the difference - unless you've done your homework.

That's how Arthritis Today's "2002-2003 Supplement Guide" can help. We've done a lot of homework for you. We worked with top medical experts on the front lines of arthritis care, as well as leaders in the field of supplements. (See "Our Panel of Medical Experts") We scrutinized the most current, comprehensive and well-respected supplement and herb books and databases; interviewed top researchers at supplement companies, universities and other institutions; and we reviewed and distilled the most current scientific research.

Now, your job is to read up and then talk to your doctor. That's who will really know which supplements are right for you. With Arthritis Today's "2002-2003 Supplement Guide" in hand, your search for better health can be easier, more focused and, ultimately, more successful.