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What to take instead to relieve the pain? There are
many complementary remedies….
Conventional medics recognize only one of the following complementary
remedies for arthritis. It is glucosamine, though the most
recent research suggests that it is not very effective. However, some
people suffering from osteoarthritis swear by the glucosamine/
chondroitin/MSM combination described immediately below. And there are
various trials on most of the following remedies, plus many personal
testimonials.
GLUCOSAMINE, CHRONDROITIN SULPHATE and MSM
Glucosamine. There have been some trials that suggest it is
effective not only in relieving pain, but also mending cartilage. How
does it work? Here’s how the theory goes.
Healthy cartilage needs three things: water for lubrication,
proteoglycans to attract and hold the water, and collagen to keep the
proteoglycans in place. Joint cartilage has no blood supply, so
nourishment and lubrication come from the fluid that ebbs and flows as
pressure is applied and released to the joint. Without this fluid,
cartilage becomes drier, thinner and more fragile.
Proteoglycans are like a rope that threads itself through the
collagen and hold many times their own weight of water.. If the
cartilage is damaged, the thread of rope becomes weak and ‘leaks’ out.
When this happens, mainly through wear and tear, the cartilage may wear
out.
The theory behind glucosamine is that it builds up water and acts
as a stimulus to the cells that produce proteoglycans. Glucosamine is
also said to speed up production of collagen, to create more cartilage
metabolism and help keep cartilage from breaking down.
Chrondroitin sulphate. This substance is said to act like ‘liquid
magnets, attracting fluid into the proteoglycan molecules. Chrondoitin
sulphate is a long chain molecule that creates spaces between each
proteoglycan, and this is where the fluid flows.
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). MSM is a naturally occurring
nutrient and sulfur compound. Sulfur is a component of bones, teeth and
collagen, and helps maintain a healthy inflammatory response in joint
tissue. The mineral sulfur is needed for the manufacture of many
proteins, including those forming hair, muscles and skin.
How much should you take? The trials with best results suggest:
glucosamine 1500mg, chondroitin 1200 mg and MSM 250 mg.
How long before you see any benefits? Some studies show that
long-term usage of glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM is beneficial. Most
patients see benefits within 3 to 6 months of regular usage.
What to take? Nature’s Plus offers a glucosamine, chondroitin and
MSM product containing full potency, with 3 tablets needed per day. This
costs £39.99 for 90 tablets, £66.95 for 180 tablets. To order call 0800
587 2290 or visit
www.nutricentre.com.
Patches
providing 24 hour absorption into the blood stream are the latest
product from the US are patches containing the full potency. These are
absorbed into the blood stream over a period of 24 hours. One patch
lasts 24 hours. Try getting them on the internet from BIOVEA, a company
that ships them to the UK.
There are also glucosamine gels available from supermarkets,
chemists, health food stores. These ease pain locally when applied to
the skin.
GREEN-LIPPED MUSSEL EXTRACT
Green Lipped Mussel Extract is under trial in Australia, and there
is some evidence that it may help as an anti-arthritic agent. ACCMER, a
partnership between the University of Queensland and Southern Cross
University, is carrying out the trials. You can buy green-lipped mussel
extract from health food shops. Seatone (marketed as Biolane in
Australia) is the brand undergoing the trials.
KRILL OIL
Krill is a Norwegian word that mean "whale’s food". The krill is a
small shrimp-like crustacean, containing omega 3, 6 and 9 fish oils.
Krill oil is said to provide more fish oil per capsule than any other
product on the market. These oils claim to lower harmful cholesterol
levels and bring relief for joint pain and stiffness. For further
information, visit:
www.vukahealthfarm.com or call on 0208 810 4695.
Eating oily fish such as herring, sardines, kippers, mackerel, pilchards
and tuna twice a week may help reduce arthritic pain.
CELADRIN
Celadrin®, say its producers, is a natural anti-inflammatory
which can help to alleviate arthritis, injuries to muscles, tendons and
aching joints. It is a patented complex and works in a similar way to
EPA and DHA in fish oils, “but more dramatically to decrease
inflammatory responses, lubricate cell membranes and restore fluids that
cushion bones and joints. It also assists in reducing cartilage
breakdown and can be highly effective when taken in combination with
glucosamine”.
Celadrin® has been the subject of several clinical studies. Results
for oral and topical applications were published in the Journal of
Rheumatology and the Journal of Strength and Conditioning
Research.
Celadrin® in capsule form was studied using a double-blind,
multi-centre, placebo-controlled trial. Sixty-four participants between
the ages of 37 to 77 were given Celadrin® capsules and were evaluated at
the beginning of the trial, at 30 days and at the end of the 68 day
study. Compared to those on a placebo, those given Celadrin® had more
flexibility, fewer aches, less pain and were able to walk further
distances than the placebo group.
A study from University of Connecticut using the cream, found
100% of patients received statistically significant benefit. Forty-two
patients with osteoarthritis of the knee experienced a dramatic
improvement after only 30 minutes of applying the cream, with cumulative
benefits occurring after 30 days.
Celadrin Forte is available in capsules priced £27.95 for 90 and
also as a topical cream Celadrin Forte Balm priced £17.95 for 50ml. To
order Celadrin® call the Nutri Centre order line 0800 587 2290 or shop
online at www.nutricentre.com.
ARTROSILIUM
Artrosilium is a gel containing organic silica, currant and Queen
of the Meadow. The makers claim that it relieves the pain of arthritis
and provide many enthusiastic testimonials in their literature. Further
information can be found on the
http://www.artrosilium.co.uk.
Artrosilium costs £24.50 per tube for a month’s supply.
MAGNETIC
THERAPY
Magnetic bracelets were the subject of a report in the British
Medical Journal in 2004. A trial in 5 rural practices, involved 194
men and women aged 45-80 years with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.
They were asked to wear a standard strength magnetic bracelet, a weak
magnetic bracelet, or a non-magnetic (dummy) bracelet for 12 weeks.
Though
the researchers questioned the placebo effect even in the
standard-strength bracelets, more people achieved high levels of
improvement in the standard magnet group. The effective bracelets were
made by Bioflow (website:www.ecomagnets.com).
Small
magnetic plasters, available in some supermarkets and chemists, are
also reported as effective in giving pain relief. You apply them
directly to the painful area.
We advise that you talk to your doctor before trying any of the above
products and do not discontinue current medication
Organisations
Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC):
www.arc.org.uk Has
comprehensive list of leaflets
Arthritis Care:
www.arthritiscare.org.uk . Helplines: 020 7380 6555 and
freephone: 0808 800 4050. Has wide range of leaflets
British Acupuncture Council:
www.acupuncture.org.uk
A few facts about arthritis
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It is a
degenerative joint disease that causes pain, inflammation and
eventually limited joint movement
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There are
over 200 types of arthritis
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Over
eight million people in the UK suffer from arthritis and the condition
affects people of all ages
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Arthritis
is so common that most of us will suffer at least one type of it in
our lifetime
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The
longer you live the more likely you are to suffer from it
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The most
common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, where the cartilage in the
joint has degenerated. Cartilage is the cushioning between the joints.
Bone begins to rub against bone, causing pain and inflammation and, in
due course, lack of mobility.
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The knees
are the body's primary weight-bearing joints and for this reason are
among the joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis.
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