Reduce joint pain and prevent arthritis

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Reduce joint pain and prevent arthritis

with these 5 nutrients ...

 

Millions of Americans suffer from bone and joint problems ranging

from osteoporosis to arthritis, and even though they were once

considered inevitable markers of old age, these disorders are now

considered serious health problems. " The public has very little

understanding about arthritis, " says Dr. John Klippel, medical director

for the Arthritis Foundation. " Many people associate arthritis with the

process of aging; they assume aches and pains are an inevitable part of

aging, when in fact it is not a natural part of aging. "

 

A 2002 survey done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

found that arthritis and other chronic joint problems are far more

widespread than estimated just five years ago, affecting one in three

U.S. adults, or 69.9 million people. The numbers were 63 percent

higher than a 1997 estimate that showed about one in five U.S. adults

were affected. There are several possible reasons for the dramatic

increase: baby boomers are aging, the survey was probably more

thorough, more people are seeing their doctors for chronic joint and

bone problems, and doctors are becoming more acutely aware of the

vast array of joint and bone problems.

 

In fact, according to Ellen Kamhi, a member of the Panel of Traditional

Medicine at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, and

co-author of Arthritis: An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide

(Celestial Arts, 1998), doctors now recognize more than 100 types of

arthritis and refer to it as an aggregate of illnesses stemming from

problems that range from obesity to heredity. Added stress placed on

the joints from overexertion, poor diet and lifestyle contribute to the

problem, which rears its ugly head as joint pain, stiffness, and

inflammation.

 

The good news is that unlike aspirin and other nonsteroidal, anti-

inflammatory drugs commonly prescribed for arthritis, natural remedies

do more than mask painful symptoms … and without any side effects.

People using glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have reported a

dramatic reduction in pain and a huge increase in joint mobility,

sometimes in a few weeks. Even more dramatic, X-rays show that

arthritis damage can actually be reversed.1 And the scientific evidence

showing that these two nutrients are effective in combating

osteoarthritis continues to build. Nine medical centers around the

country are currently participating in the National Institutes of Health

(NIH) four-year study— the biggest study ever on glucosamine and

chondroitin sulfate—that is targeted at the treatment of osteoarthritis of

the knee. Results of the NIH study are expected in March 2005, and

based on past studies we expect the outcome will be extremely positive.

 

While it's great news that gluscosamine and chondroitin sulfate are

finally receiving the attention they deserve, you should be aware of the

other supplements that assist in rebuilding cartilage and have powerful

anti-inflammatory effects. Dozens of scientific studies show that

methyl donors and anti-inflammatory botanicals such as Boswellin and

curcumin also alleviate arthritis. This confirms what nutritional

scientists and thousands of supplement users have been saying for

years:

 

Natural supplements enable you to prevent, improve, and even reverse

the debilitating effects of arthritis without dangerous drugs or surgery.

 

Here are the five most powerful arthritis fighters, which, when taken

together, provide your best protection against arthritis and other joint

problems:

 

Arthritis Fighter #1: Glucosamine rebuilds your body’s natural shock

absorbers

 

First used in the United States to treat arthritis-like symptoms in horses

and other animals, glucosamine continues to make headlines, as

scientific evidence mounts that it is a powerful anti-arthritic. New

double-blind medical studies confirm that it not only reduces the

symptoms of arthritis, but can also stop the disease dead in its tracks,

and may even repair some of the damage that has already occurred.2,3

 

Glucosamine sulfate is the same substance that is naturally produced by

your body and enables you to build new cartilage – the gel-like material

that lines your joints and acts as a natural shock absorber.

Unfortunately, as you age, you lose the ability to manufacture sufficient

amounts of glucosamine, leading to stiffness of the joints and

eventually to full-blown arthritis.

 

Glucosamine combats arthritis by stimulating the manufacture of

glucosamino-glycans, a natural lubricant and shock absorber, which

enables your joints to move smoothly and painlessly.4 Glucosamine

also promotes incorporation of sulfur into cartilage, increasing its

strength and durability.

 

Proven to reduce pain and inflammation

 

A recent study done at King's College in London, and published in

March, 2002, in the British Journal of Community Nursing, compared

the effectiveness of glucosamine with ibuprofen for relief of joint pain.

The study found that glucosamine can be used as an alternative to anti-

inflammatory drugs and analgesics or as a useful adjunct to standard

analgesic therapy. The study indicated that glucosamine's pain-

relieving effects might be due to its cartilage-rebuilding properties,

which is a significant bonus you certainly don't get with simple

analgesics.5

 

It's important to note that ibuprofen and other NSAIDs appear to only

treat the symptoms of arthritis, not its cause. Also, NSAIDs carry an

increased risk of side effects including gastrointestinal complaints and

bleeding. Furthermore, there is an indication that NSAIDs may

increase the progression of arthritis. In contrast, glucosamine actually

repairs damaged joints, in effect reversing degenerative arthritis.2,3

The longer glucosamine is used, the more dramatic and long-lasting the

improvement.

 

Glucosamine helps pain associated with sports injuries

One friend of mine, a black belt in karate, who broke several fingers

when he was in his mid-twenties says that glucosamine has had a

profound impact on his life. Although his fingers healed completely,

by the time he was 35 he was showing early symptoms of arthritis of

the fingers.

 

" When my fingers started getting stiffer and stiffer in my thirties, I first

tried taking aspirin and Tylenol. For a few weeks it helped, but then I

had to use higher and higher dosages. The stiffness still returned. Even

with aspirin, the problem got so bad in colder months that I sometimes

couldn’t even make a fist, which is a major problem if you practice

martial arts.

 

" Then I heard about glucosamine and chondroitin and tried them. The

improvement was dramatic and apparently permanent. So long as I

keep taking my glucosamine/chondroitin, there’s no more stiffness.

My hip flexibility also improved. Even though I’m now over 45, I can

still do a full split. I also don’t get the stomach aches I often got from

aspirin. "

 

Arthritis Fighter #2: Chondroitin Sulfate reduces inflammation and

more

 

Chondroitin sulfate is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

derived from cartilage. Chondroitin compounds are naturally

manufactured by your body, and are essential for normal joint function.

As you age, however, your body produces less and less. You can solve

the problem with chondroitin supplements.

 

Chondroitin sulfate improves joint function in a variety of ways,

including increasing your body’s synthesis of cartilage, improving joint

lubrication, reducing free radicals which can damage cartilage, and

removing blockages in blood vessels that support joints.

 

Several new studies recently published in scientific journals confirm

the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin

 

Patients experience less pain and discomfort

1) Probably the most important study performed on glucosamine, so

far, was published in the January 2001 issue of the Lancet. According

to the Lancet study, scientists at the University of Liege, Belgium

examined the effect of glucosamine on 212 people with arthritic knees

over three years. Half were given glucosamine sulfate pills once a day;

the other half were given a placebo.

 

Researchers found that patients who took glucosamine sulfate

improved 20-25%, reporting much less pain and discomfort. On the

other hand, the placebo group experienced a slight worsening of

symptoms. The researchers also compared knee X-rays for the two

groups at the beginning of the study, after one year, and then after three

years. They found that glucosamine prevented knee joints from

narrowing, ultimately stopping arthritis in its tracks.

 

Patients assigned to glucosamine experienced significant improvements

in pain and disability that were sustained for three years of the study,

whereas the scores among the placebo group worsened.1

 

Jean-Yves Reginster, M.D., Ph.D., who was a member of the scientific

group that conducted the Lancet study, says, " For the first time, we

have shown that a compound may be able to at least slow down the

progression of osteoarthritis. " 6

 

Counteracts spinal disc degeneration

2) Although most studies have been done on osteoarthritis of the knee,

there has been little investigation into the effects of glucosamine and

chondroitin on spinal disc degeneration. A two year study done at the

Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam and recently published in

BMC Complementary Alternative Medicine, is particularly important

because it suggests that long-term glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate

intake may counteract spinal disc degeneration, particularly at an early

stage The researchers found that glucosamine and chondroitin are

bioavailable to cartilage chondrocytes (cartilage-building cells), and

may stimulate the biosynthesis and inhibit the breakdown of

proteoglycans (a building block of cartilage within the joint space).7

 

Efficacious and safe in animal and human clinical trials

3) An article written by researchers at the Division of Arthritis Surgery,

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School

of Medicine, Baltimore, and published in the Journal of Arthroplasty,

April 2003, reported that because of the abundant clinical evidence

showing the efficacy and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin in both

animal and human clinical trials, they deserve prominent recognition as

a nonsurgical treatment of osteoarthritis.8

 

Highly effective for osteoarthritis of the knee

4) Members of the faculty of Medicine, at the University of Liege,

Liege, Belgium did exhaustive research of randomized, placebo-

controlled clinical trials published or performed between January 1980

and March 2002 that assessed the efficacy of oral glucosamine or

chondroitin on knee osteoarthrtis. Their results showed that

glucosamine and chondroitin were highly effective and safe in

ameliorating joint space narrowing, and pain and mobility.9

 

Make sure you're getting the best product available

5) Researchers at Johns Hopkins University recently published an

article in Foot and Ankle Clinics discussing the compelling evidence of

the near universal finding of safety and efficacy of glucosamine and

chondroitin. They also emphasized that when looking for a

glucosamine/chondroitin supplement, it's important to take into account

the reputation of the manufacturer to make sure you're getting the best

product available.10

 

Arthritis Fighter #3: Boswellin

Used for centuries as a powerful anti-inflammatory

 

Boswellin is a derivative of the Boswellia serrata tree that grows in

India. It’s also known as Boswellia or " Indian frankincense, " and has

been used for centuries to combat joint inflammation and pain in India,

North Africa, and China. Unlike modern NSAIDs (nonsteriodal anti-

inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen and aspirin, Boswellin doesn’t

cause stomach irritation or other harmful side effects. In its cream

form, Boswellin can be applied directly to the skin to reduce

inflammation.

 

A number of scientific studies have confirmed the effectiveness of

Boswellin. This ayurvedic herb contains a compound known as beta

boswellic acid, which is anti-inflammatory and analgesic. It has been

shown in animal and test-tube studies to inhibit the production of

leukotriens (biologically active compounds formed from arachidonic

acid and other polyunsaturated fatty acids that cause inflammation and

allergic reactions.)

 

An important recent study of 175 patients with rheumatic and arthritic

symptoms showed promising results. Within four weeks of taking

Boswellin, 122 patients reported reduced stiffness and inflammation.

Boswellin also appeared to be particularly effective in alleviating lower

back pain.11

 

Mickey S., a 55-year-old back patient in Illinois reports: " I’ve been

hospitalized three times with back pain so intense I couldn’t even sit

up. The drugs and injections they gave me in the hospital, helped while

I was there, but they also made me so groggy I couldn’t think straight

much less work, so they weren’t the answer. "

 

" Since being hospitalized, I’ve tried a half-dozen different supplements,

and found Boswellin to be the most effective. Most of the time, the

pain is simply gone. For the first time in five years, I can forget about

my back and get on with my life. "

 

Arthritis Fighter #4: Betaine (trimethylglycine)

Essential for rebuilding connective tissue

 

Betaine – also known as trimethylglycine – is essential for rebuilding

connective tissue and manufacturing cartilage components. Betaine

works with folic acid, vitamins B-6 and B-12, and methionine to form

SAMe (S-adenosylmetlonine), and to donate methyl molecules, which

are vital for proper liver function and cellular replication. SAMe

protects and repairs joints by (1) increasing the number of cartilage

cells, (2) stimulating the synthesis of proteoglycans, and (3) decreasing

cartilage loss.12,13

 

SAMe is available commercially, but is extremely expensive, and can

cost $200-$350 a month. SAMe is also chemically unstable. The

preferable alternative for most people is to take betaine and B-

supplements, including B-6, B-12, and folic acid.

 

Arthritis Fighter #5: Curcumin: a powerful anti-inflammatory

Curcumin is an extract of the spice turmeric that provides a huge

number of health benefits. In fact, the potential benefits of curcumin

are so comprehensive and extensive, that we should all be taking it. A

recent search of the Excerpta Medica database found no less than 149

citations referring to the medical benefits of curcumin. Studies show it

inhibits prostaglandin production and stimulates the creation of cortisol,

which relieves inflammation.14-16

 

A 1991 study conducted in India looked at a combination arthritis

formula that included curcumin and Boswellia. In a double-blinded,

placebo-controlled trial of 42 patients with osteoarthritis, those

receiving the test formula showed a significant drop in pain and

disability.17

 

Conclusion

It's a relief to know that you don't have to rely on pain-reducing drugs

that are irritating to the stomach, and may have other side effects.

These natural supplements have been proven safe and effective for

alleviating pain and inflammation … and the best news is they offer the

long term benefits of helping restore and repair damaged tissues, and

support healthy joints and cartilage.

 

 

For example, 45-

year-old D.R. from Knoxville, Tennessee writes,

 

" Several years ago, I had a severe dislocation of my ankle. During my

eight weeks in a cast, I took several supplements, including

glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellin and curcumin. When my ankle

finally healed, my doctors told me I could expect to have arthritis pain

in my ankle for the rest of my life. They were wrong. Thanks to these

supplements, which I continue to take, there is no pain at all. "

 

If you ask 10 people who suffer from joint pain what their ultimate

wish is, nine out of 10 would most likely say, " the ability to move

freely without pain. "

 

sidebar

Are you at risk for arthritis? (from the Arthritis Foundation,

http://www.arthritis.org)

 

1. Are you 45 years of age or older?

 

2. Have you ever had an injury to your knee severe enough to put you

in bed; to force you to use a cane, crutch or brace; or to require

surgery?

 

3. Are you more than 10 pounds overweight?

 

4. Have you in the past or do you currently, participate in greater than 3

hours per day of heavy physical activities, such as bending, lifting, or

carrying items on a regular basis?

 

5. Did you have hip problems that caused you to limp as a child?

 

If you answered yes to just ONE question, you may be at risk.

 

Side bar

Joint and bone disorders

Joints are continuously used to support weight and provide a huge

variety of body movements. In addition to this normal wear and tear,

joints are commonly injured from overuse, infection, an immune

system launching a misplaced attack, or degeneration. Unfortunately,

the end result for more than 60 million men and women in the U.S. is

arthritis.

 

The most common forms of arthritis are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disorder, is the most

painful, debilitating form of arthritis, and is characterized by pain,

stiffness, and joint inflammation. The synovial membrane of a joint

becomes inflamed and thickens, forming a mass called a pannus. Then

cartilage—the gel-like material that enables your joints to move

easily—becomes damaged, and fibrous tissue infiltrates it, interfering

with joint movement. Eventually, the joint may ossify so that the

articulating bones fuse (bony ankylosis). Joints severely damaged by

RA may be surgically replaced.

 

• Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a degenerative

joint disease affecting both cartilage and bone, in which articular

cartilage softens and disintegrates gradually, roughening the articular

surfaces. Although it usually occurs with aging, it can manifest as

early as one's thirties. Osteoarthritis does not cause inflammation, but

can result in extreme pain and eventually severe loss of the ability to

move your joints. Those areas severely affected include the fingers,

knees, hips, and back. Gradually, the area of the affected joint deforms,

i.e. arthritic fingers take on a gnarled appearance, or a knee may bulge.

 

The most common bone disorder is:

• Osteoporosis means “porous bones,” and is used to describe any

disease that reduces bone mass, and results in fragile, thin bones, loss

of height, lower back, wrist and spine fractures, or dowager’s hump

(forward bending of the spine in the upper back).

 

 

Sidebar

20 ways to be kind to your joints

1) Take an excellent glucosamine/chondroitin supplement that contains

anti-inflammatory nutrients.

2) Add a calcium supplement with minerals and vitamins to lower your

risk for osteoporosis.

3) Include calcium-rich foods in your diet such as yogurt, cottage

cheese, sardines, dark green vegetables (kale, Swiss chard, collard

greens, bok choy and broccoli), soy products like tofu, and calcium-

fortified soy milk and orange juice.

4) Decrease your sodium intake. Use herbs and spices instead to

season your food. Avoid salty processed foods and fast food, and don't

salt your food before tasting it.

5) Eat a varied diet including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and beta-carotene (found in fruits

and vegetables) have been associated with higher total bone mass. A

diet rich in vegetables and fruit and moderate in animal protein and

grains may minimize the acid-ash residue of the diet.

6) Grill some fish. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish such

as salmon, mackerel, cod, herring, rainbow trout, sardines or eel, can

help keep your joints healthy. In fact, studies show omega-3s can

reduce the pain and inflammation of stiff joints in people with arthritis.

Dr. Barry Sears, bestselling author of The Omega Zone recommends

getting a maintenance level of 2500 mg EPA (omega-3) and DHA

(omega-3) every day. Eating fresh fish every day is the best way to get

high-quality fish oil. But that's difficult for most of living in the U.S.

Supplementing your diet with fish oil capsules is the next best thing.

Just be sure you take a high-quality, fresh product.

7) Limit your sugar and caffeine intake.

8) Avoid alcohol or drink only in moderation.

9) Adopt a regular exercise program (30 minutes a day) including

weight-bearing activities, such as walking, hiking, and dancing.

10) Supercharge your diet with a good multivitamin/mineral complex.

11) Stop smoking!

12) Practice a stress reduction technique such as yoga or meditation.

13) Regular resistance training—lifting hand-held weights or working

on weight machines for 20 minutes three times a week—can maintain

muscle mass and prevent bone loss.

14) Take a Tai Chi or yoga class for relaxation, balance, and flexibility.

15) Maintain a healthy weight. Every extra pound you carry around

translates to added stress to your knees and hips. Excess weight can

mean more pain, no matter which form of arthritis you have. It can

also contribute to and aggravate osteoarthritis.

16) Soak in a warm bath before bed to relieve muscle tension, ease

aching joints, and help you get a good night’s sleep.

17) Relax your muscles with a massage for decreased pain and

increased circulation, energy, and flexibility.

18) Turn off the telly. Instead of becoming a couch potato, which

slows your metabolism and makes you prone to overeating, go out for a

walk or read a book.

19) Sit smart at your computer. Use a wrist pad to avoid carpal tunnel

syndrome. Your arms should hang comfortably at your sides, elbows

at a right angle, with your wrists relaxed while typing. Your upper

body should be 20 to 26 inches from your computer monitor, with the

top of the computer at an even line with the top of your head when your

head is in neutral position.

20) Don’t forget to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water to keep your

body hydrated and to flush out toxins.

 

References:

1. J Y Reginster et al, Long-term effects of glucosamine sulphate on

osteoarthritis progression: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical

trial, The Lancet, 357: 9252, 1-27-01

2. A L Vaz, Double-blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of

ibuprofen and glucosamine sulfate in the management of osteoarthrosis

of the knee in out-patients, Curr Med Res Opin 8 (1982) 145-9.

3. 3.H Muller-Fassbender et al, Glucosamine sulfate compared to

ibuprofen in osteoarthritis of the knee, Osteoarthris Cartilage 2 (1994),

61-9.

4. K Karzel and R Domenjoz, Effect of hexosamine derivatives and

uronic acid derivatives on clycosajminoglycan metabolism of fibroblast

cultures, Pharmaceology 5 (1971); 337-45.

5. Ruane R, Griffiths P. Glucosamine therapy compared to ibuprofen

for joint pain. Br J Community Nurs 2002 Mar;7(3):148-52

6. Arthritis-fighting glucosamine, News & perspectives,

Wholehealthmd.com, 1-30-01.

7. Van Blitterswijk WJ, Van De Nes JC, Wuisman PI. Glucosamine

and chondroitin sulfate supplementation to treat symptomatic disc

degeneration: Biochemical rationale and case report. BMC

Complement Altern Med. 2003 Jun 10;3(1):2

8. Hungerford DS, Jones LC. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are

effective in the management of osteoarthritis. J Arthroplasty. 2003

Apr;18(3 Suppl 1):5-9

9. Richy F, Bruyere O, Ethgen O, Cucherat M, Henrotin Y, Reginster

JY. Structural and symptomatic efficacy of glucosamine and

chondroitin in knee osteoarthritis: a comprehensive meta-analysis. Arch

Intern Med. 2003 Jul 14;163(13):1514-22

10. Hungerford MW, Valaik D. Chondroprotective agents: glucosamine

and chondroitin. Foot and Ankle Clinics 2003 Jun;8(2):201-19.

11. Boswellia, wholehealthmd.com, 1-30-01.

12. Cox, M J, McDevitt, C A, et al. Changes in chondroitin sulfate-rich

region of articular cartilage proteoglycans in experimental

osteoarthritis, Biochlmica et Biophysics Acdts, 6-18-85, 840/2, 228-34.

13. Brandt K D, Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on

chondrocyle metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Am J Med 83 (Suppl.

GA), 1987, 29-34.

14. Curcumin, Viable Herbal Solutions,

www.metromkt.net/viable/1curcumi.shtml, 1-31-01.

15. Inhibitory effect of curcumin, an anti-inflammatory agent, on

vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, Eur. J. Pharmacol.

(Netherlands), 1992, 221/2-3, 381-384.

16. Mechanism of anti-inflammatory actions of curcumine and

boswellic acids, J Ethnopharmacol (Ireland) 1993 38/2-3, 113-119.

17. Kulkarni RR, Patki PS, Jog VP, Gandage SG, Patwardhan B.

Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-

blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. J Ethnopharmacol 1991

May-Jun;33(1-2):91-5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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