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Protect your joints and reduce arthritis with glucosamine / chondroitin sulfate

Osteoarthritis is perhaps the fastest growing form of arthritis in the United States. According to the Arthritis Foundation, one third of all American adults have radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis. Last year more than 7 million medical visits that were related to osteoarthritis is the second of cardiovascular disease in America. As we age this number will increase unless we take steps to stop arthritis. For years researchers have developed medications to help relieve pain but have not addressed the underlying cause of the destruction of joints. In this article we look at the features of osteoarthritis and treatments currently available. Also, see natural alternatives that can help improve the quality of life.

Osteoarthritis is a disorder that involves certain bones and joints in the body. A joint is where two bones connect and cartilage that is surrounded by muscles and tendons. Some joints have a limited range of motion, as a rib in the rib cage and other have a much wider range of movement in hips, knees, elbows, wrists and thumbs. The wider ranges of motion of joints are called synovial joints. (1) Synovial joints have a unique structure. The bones that are connected to the synovial joints are covered in a sturdy fabric called fibrous cartilage. This hard cartilage tissue between the bones is called the joint capsule. The joint capsule has an internal cavity that is lined with a membrane inner membrane called synovium. With this membrane is fluid called synovial fluid, which is a thick, slippery fluid that fills the small places in between and about connecting the two bones. The liquid is filled with a substance that lubricates joints and facilitates movement. (1.2)

This cartilage joint has two purposes. First, it allows a smooth surface to withstand great weight and facilitate joint movement, when in motion. Second, articular cartilage absorbs shock and distributes the forces and mechanical stress to the bones connected to the joint.

Joint function is under continuous mechanical tension in movement and joint capacity to resist tension reflects your health. If mechanical stress is converted to a large part of the joint some physical changes in the articular cartilage covering the bones. (1.2)

The cartilage is difficult and some elastic in nature as composed water, a complex protein called collagen and proteoglycans. (3) When the arthritis has been diagnosed in a patient, the cartilage has begun to weaken and become frayed. Over time, the cartilage breaks down the exposure of the two bones of the joint. When two bones rub all kinds of damage can occur. Pieces of bone and cartilage break off and float inside the joint space. When the joint is bent, which is usually experienced grinding gritty sensation that is painful. Over time Spurs funny bone can grow in the cartilage and surrounding tissues causing great pain and decreased range of motion in the joint. As arthritis progresses, pain and discomfort will increase the creation of sleepless nights and miserable days.

Although the exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown, researchers know that is not age-related. Researchers have observed that the disease with the same destructive changes in young patients diagnosed who have not been observed in the elderly not have the disease. (2,4,5) Researchers have observed that certain conditions seem to trigger the disease or worse.

Families have frequent occurrences of osteoarthritis tends to rely on the idea that it might be a genetic factor. Osteoarthritis of the hands is often seen as genetic. (2) Persons they are very active or physically demanding jobs have a higher incidence of developing osteoarthritis. Also, people who have disorders of bones and are prone to osteoarthritis too. People with more weight are at risk. Because of the extra kilos, these individuals tend to develop osteoarthritis in the knees and feet. On individuals weight generally have denser bones that do not absorb shock as thin bones can cause more damage to joint cartilage.

There are currently no sure way to prevent osteoarthritis, but can help slow progression with some lifestyle changes. The Arthritis Foundation suggests that people are prone to osteoarthritis should maintain a healthy weight and lose weight if necessary. They also suggest that these individuals should exercise regularly as a preventative measure. (4) The consumption of calcium and other vitamins such as vitamin A, C, D and E can help too. (6-8)

Treatment of osteoarthritis is centered around reducing or alleviating pain an individual experiences and to maintain or improve circulation to reduce any permanent disability. (2) Your provider usually prescribe an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, which is only effective in treating pain. Unfortunately, these NSAIDs have side effects that can be serious. Complications NSAID-induced gastrointestinal causes over 100,000 hospitalizations and about 16,500 deaths each year in the United States. Prolonged use of NSAIDs can cause ulcers in the stomach and intestinal tract, the acidity of the product and abdominal pain. NSAIDs may interfere with blood clotting and even cause kidney damage. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is sometimes prescribed to relieve pain, but acetaminophen does not reduce inflammation and have the same side effects as NSAIDs, most in large doses can cause harm liver. (9)

Newer drugs to the public are called COX-2 inhibitors that provide pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects, with the side effects of other NSAIDs. (11.12) In some cases, COX-2 can cause stomach damage and bleeding. (13.14) All these things can help with pain, but does nothing to slow or stop osteoarthritis. This drug has no effect on the disease itself. (10)

After reviewing all purposes side of drugs available, some believe that glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate for osteoarthritis are better because glucosamine and chondroitin actually improve the health of synovial without threatening side effects. (3)

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate work as well as treatment for osteoarthritis that doctors even recommend it. Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are natural compounds found in the joints human. (15.16) When consumed in the right combination can reverse the damage in joints affected by osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is a natural substance found in synovial fluid and is the basic building block of proteoglycans, one of the compounds in the synovial cartilage. The Europeans have been using Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin for more than 10 years to help relieve joint pain. Only in recent years have researchers from America and Europe worked together to find out how this works. The researchers found that glucosamine sulfate reduces inflammation of synovial joints, which explains why people feel better after taking the supplement.

Scientific studies have found that glucosamine sulfate can help stimulate cartilage cell growth, inhibit proteoglycan degradation, and rebuild the damage caused by osteoarthritis. (17,18) Glucosamine Sulfate not only helps her feel better, but also repair the damage all ready done. Glucosamine is only used in all studies was glucosamine sulfate. When the body digests the glucosamine sulfate separates and forms a sulfate salt called ion sulfate ion. This sulfate ion is essential for the body to synthesize proteoglycans. (17)

Researchers believe that chondroitin sulfate works in a manner similar to glucosamine sulfate and should be consumed along with glucosamine sulfate. Several studies investigated the action of chondroitin sulfate and determined to get better results should have both together. However, if your health professional suggests taking only one or the other is better to continue their professional advice.

Other vitamins and minerals are beneficial for people suffering from osteoarthritis. Suck like, folic acid and vitamin B12 may increase joint mobility and vitamins A, C, D and E can prevent progression of the disease and prevent osteoarthritis altogether. (8,19,20) Several clinical studies used the herb Boswellia serrata, which helps with the swelling and also proved successful. Cayenne or capsaicin ointment may help increase the pain associated with osteoarthritis. Cayenne depletes nerves of a neurotransmitter called substance P. This substance P transmits pain messages to the brain, so Cayenne is very effective in relieving pain of osteoarthritis.

Along with supplements, exercise is important to help keep joints mobile and healthy. For those who suffer from osteoarthritis, water aerobics may be an option because it is low impact and gives you the ability to flex your joints made with the implementation of much weight on the joints.

It is easy for those who do not feel well for the diagnosis itself. If you suspect that you have a joint health issue, are evaluated by a licensed health care provider before taking any steps to improve yourself. Some of these same symptoms can be related to other diseases that require treatment different. Only a doctor can be a particular is osteoarthritis. With the proper exercise and supplements can reduce the constant stiffness and pain associated with osteoarthritis and this can lead to a healthy life free of pain. All the supplements mentioned can be found at your local store or internet health food.

References:

1. Siedel HM, Ball JW, Dains JE, Benedict GW. Classification of joints. In: Guide to Physical Examination Mosby. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, 1999: 695.

2. Bancroft DA, Pigg JS. Osteoarthritis syndromes. In: Porth CM. Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered States of Health. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott, 1998: 1133-1138.

3. McCarty MF. Enhanced synovial production of hyaluronic acid may explain rapid clinical response to glucosamine in high doses in osteoarthritis. Medical Hypotheses 1998; 50,507-510.

4. Arthritis Foundation. Osteoarthritis. Available at: www. . arthritis org / answers / diseasecenter / OA. 2001 Accessed June 26.

5. National Institutes of Health. Osteoarthritis. NIH NIAMS. Gov / Available at: www. / HealthInfo / OA / osteohandout_breaks.html. Accessed July 3, 2001.

6. Tiku ML, Shah R, Allison GT. Evidence of lipid peroxidation relationship chondrocytes of cartilage degradation matrix proteins. Possible role in cartilage aging and the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. J Biol Chem 2000, 275:20069-20076.

7. Sowers M, Lachance L. Vitamins and arthritis. The role of vitamins A, C, D and E. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1999, 25:315-332.

8. McAlindon TE, Jacques P, Zhang Y, et al. No micronutrients Antioxidants protect against the development and progression of osteoarthritis of the knee? Arthritis Rheum. 1996, 39:648-656.

9. Graumlich JF. Preventing gastrointestinal complications of NSAIDs. Risk factors, recent advances, and latest strategies. Postgrad Med 2001 May; 109 (5) :117-20, 123-8. Item completely available online at: www. Postgradmed .com/issues/2001/05_01/graumlich.htm.

10. Lehne RA. Acetaminophen. In: Pharmacology for Nursing Care. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders, 1998: 705-706.

11. Ballinger A, Smith G. COX -2 inhibitors vs. NSAIDs in gastrointestinal damage and prevention. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2001, 2:31-40.

12. Goldstein JL, Correa P, Zhao WW, et al. Reduced incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers with celecoxib, a novel of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, compared with naproxen in patients with arthritis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001, 96:1019-1027.

13. Colville-Nash PR, Gilroy DW. The effects potential adverse cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition: evidence from animal models of inflammation. BioDrugs. 2001, 15:1-9.

14. Laudanno OM, Cesolari JA, Esnarriaga J, et al. Celcecoxib induced gastrointestinal damage and rofecoxib in rats. Dig Dis Sci 2001, 46:779-784.

15. Uebelhart D, Thon EJ, Zhang J, Williams JM. The effect Chondrotin protector exogenous 4,6-sulfate in the acute degradation of articular cartilage in rabbits. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 1998, 6:6-13.

16. Leeb BF, Schweitzer H, Montag K, Smolen JS. A meta-analysis of chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol. 2000, 27:205-211.

17. Deal CL, Moskowitz RW. Nutraceuticals as therapeutic agents in osteoarthritis. The role of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and collagen hydrolyzate. Rheum Dis Clin North Am May 1999, 25 (2): 379-95.

18. Glucosamine sulfate. Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 1999; 4:193-195.

19. Adebowale AO, Cox DS, Liang Z, et al. Analysis content of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in products marketed and Caco-2 permeability of chondroitin sulfate raw materials. JAMA. 2000, 3:37-44.

20. Crolle G. D'Este E. Glucosamine sulfate for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a controlled clinical research. Curr Med Res Opin. 1980, 7:104-109.

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