Glocosamine & Healthy Joints

Jason had been the athletic type, but a string of sports injuries damaged the cartilage in his joints and left him with two bum knees and a bad elbow. The diagnosis: osteoarthritis (OA) - a crippling, painfully, and usually permanent condition. When several surgeries and taking high doses of anti-inflammatory pain medications failed to fix the problem, Jason almost gave up hope that he would ever be active again.

In his search to learn more about OA, Jason discovered that a promising treatment for OA had been used in parts of Europe and Asia for decades, involving supplementing the diet with an inexpensive nutrient called glucosamine. Glucosamine is a substance which occurs naturally in the body and is necessary for building the cartilage which cushions the joints.

Research dating back to 1959 showed that 95% of 1,208 participants in a study, who took glucosamine daily, reported that pain was reduced and mobility increased, with no significant side-effects, and with a continuing benefit 6 to 12 weeks after they stopped the supplement. In another study, microscopic examination of the cartilage before and after treatment showed it had been at least partly repaired. In yet another experiment, glucosamine was compared with a commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory pain medicine. By the end of the study, those receiving glucosamine experienced significantly greater mobility and freedom from pain than those receiving the pain medicine.

Jason began taking the supplement himself, and within 2 weeks, he felt significantly better. Later clinical examination showed that his damaged cartilage was actually repairing itself. To end this story, Jason is actually Jason Theodosakis, M.D., or Dr Theo, as he likes to be called, who is a respected and well-known physician and lecturer in preventive medicine who has trained extensively in exercise, physiology and sports medicine. Dr Theo began giving glucosamine to his patients and the results were impressive. He says, "I've helped hundreds of people either eliminate the need for surgery or greatly reduce the effects of osteoarthritis."

Approximately 16 million people in the US have OA, a painful condition also known as degenerative joint disease. It is the most common form of arthritis, mostly affecting middle-aged and older people. OA is characterized by pain and loss of movement in the hands and weight-bearing joints, such as the knees, hips, feet and back. What's alarming about OA is the fact that most people over 60 show to have it on X-ray, but may not have actual symptoms yet.

The standard treatment for OA involves the use of anti-inflammatory pain medications which only mask the symptoms and do nothing to correct the underlying cause. In fact, regular use of painkillers may actually accelerate the degeneration of cartilage, making the problems worse. When taken regularly, common pain medications have significant side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney or liver damage.

By contrast, glucosamine has no significant known side effects. It does not mask the pain, but works to help repair damaged cartilage - the root of the problem. Glucosamine relieves pain by helping to restore and normalize joint functions. Most people begin to notice a difference in about 2 to 6 weeks after beginning to take glucosamine. They they are able to wean themselves off the pain medicines.

There are several different types of glucosamine. The 2 most common are glucosamine hydrochloride (HCL) and glucosamine sulfate. However, glucosamine HCL is purer, more stable, and delivers more of the beneficial glucosamine than the sulfate version. And glucosamine HCL has the added benefit of being less expensive.

I had my own problems with OA with a right elbow that had been overused in sports over the years. The medical specialist prescribed me painkillers and clinical glucosamine and told me to avoid playing sports that would make my injury worse, including some of the sports activities that I loved. The painkillers took the pain off temporarily but they and the prescribed glucosamine did not have any long-term or noticeable effect.

Earlier this year, I switched to using another glucosamine supplement. Each dose of this product delivers 1,500 mg of research-recommended glucosamine HCL (the more absorbable form) to help keep the joint cartilage "well-oiled", promoting the function of molecules that provide joint strength and elasticity, and also enhancing cartilage production to help support freedom of movement. In addition to glucosamine, the patented formula also contains a 315 mg blend of bromelain, ginger and green tea. These 3 natural ingredients help fight free radicals for healthier joints. They also improve glucosamine absorption.

After switching to this glucosamine product, my right elbow has improved so much. The pain is gone and there is so much better range of movement. I am able to continue taking part in the sports activities that I love and that has been really great.

And now, the newly-launched Extra Strength formula comes with the following:

• Chondroitin - structural component of cartilage that provides resistance to compression.
• MSM (methysulfonylmethane) - an important building block of connective tissue that helps keep joints strong.
• Manganese & vitamin C - essential nutrients that help promote the formation of new cartilage.
• Patent-pending botanical blend - natural ingredients that soothe and comfort joints.

If you or your relatives and friends have joint problems and want to know more about these glucosamine products, get in touch with me.