Joint Health

Index of Diseases / Health Conditions ... Medicinal Foods, Herbs, Spices & Household Items

The below provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. Any treatment protocol should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner ... Please refer to: Medical & Legal Disclaimer.

Also refer to:

Arthritis
Knee Health
Gout
Aching Joints: Could it be Gluten Intolerance?
The Many Benefits of Epsom Salt

The Use of Drugs for Joint Problems:

To relief joint pain, many reach for remedies like the prescription drugs such as Celebrex, Viox, Tylenol™ or Aleve™. Although these drugs offer some immediate relief, their use carries some risk (as exemplified by the class action suits over Vioox). Tylenol is the number one cause of hospital admissions for liver failure. Also -- none of these drugs address the underlying cause of the joint pain.

Muscle and joint injuries should be treated with RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) at the time of the injury.

Consult with a health practitioner if symptoms do not subside within a few days.
Seek IMMEDIATE medical attention if inflammation is accompanied by high fever or if a severe injury (such as fracture or torn ligament) is suspected

Nutritional Support (to be discussed with your doctor)

Glucosamine sulfate: Glucosamine is naturally synthesized in the human body and is a basic building block of connective tissue, like the cartilage in your knee for example. While we have an ample amount of the stuff when we are young, as we age we lose some of it, leading to the thinning of cartilage which frequently progresses to the common condition known as osteoarthritis.

Many studies have shown that glucosamine and/or chondroitin is beneficial in helping to repair damage to the joints caused by osteoarthritis. While it can't bring cartilage back, it can prevent further loss as well as reduce symptoms of pain, swelling, and stiffness or noise in the joints. In two independent 3-year randomized, placebo-controlled studies, glucosamine sulfate was shown to slow progression of osteoarthritis symptoms. After three years, participants given the glucosamine sulfate showed no joint space narrowing whatsoever. Not only that, the glucosamine sulfate group showed a significant improvement in their WOMAC index (a standardized measure of pain) while there was a trend for worsening of pain in the placebo group.

Chondroitin sulfate stimulates the cartilage cells and complements supplementation with glucosamine to speed the regeneration and recovery of bone tissues. Well-absorbed and associated with only minor side effects, chondroitin sulfate can also decrease pain and slow the rate of cartilage loss in people with osteoarthritis. The Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (Nov. 14, 2005) reported that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is at least as effective as the prescription drug celecoxib (Celebrex) in treating pain caused by moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee. So for best results, they should be used together.

MSM (methyl-sulfonyl methane) blocks the transmission of impulses in nerve fibers that carry pain signals. Among people aged 40 to 76 with arthritic knees, MSM "improved symptoms of pain and physical function," according to researchers (published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 3/06). Studies in laboratory animals show that in those whose diet included MSM, there was less degenerative change of the articular joint compared to the control group.

NOTE: In the June 2004 issue of the journal Clinical Drug Investigations, scientists reported that, although individually glucosamine and MSM did improve pain and swelling in arthritic joints, the combination of the two was more effective than the single nutrients in reducing symptoms and improving the function of joints. You can buy them as one supplement.
In addition to younger-looking skin, MSM users reported another "side-effect": reductions in allergy miseries. Scientists discovered that MSM appears to block histamine, the chemical responsible for allergic reactions, from reaching susceptible tissues, such as the mucous membranes ling the nose. Early study results have been promising, with seasonal allergy symptom relief and increased energy levels (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 4/02).

Click here to see the one that I am using. If you can get that at your local store, I would recommend that one. Alternatively, the link also allows you to order it online. Whatever your preference.

Relevant Research: Usha PR, Naidu MUR. Randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study of oral glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane and their combination in osteoarthritis. Clin Drug Invest 2004; 24:353–63. '

Randomized, double-blind trial comparing MSM, glucosamine, both, or placebo for osteoarthritis of the knee. Approximately 30 patients per group. Dose was 1,500 mg per day for 12 weeks. The efficacy parameters studied were the pain index, the swelling index, visual analogue scale pain intensity, 15m walking time, the Lequesne index, and consumption of rescue medicine. There were statistically significant decreases in pain with Glu and with MSM respectively. The combination treatment resulted in a more significant decrease in the mean pain index than either treatment alone. Conclusion: Glu, MSM and their combination produced an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in osteoarthritis. Combination therapy showed better efficacy in reducing pain and swelling and in improving the functional ability of joints than the individual agents. In reality, however, this was an exceedingly poorly reported study and these conclusions must be considered dubious.

Cod Liver Oil: "Professor Caterson explains that the Omega-3 fatty acids in Cod Liver Oil work by switching off the aggrecan- and collagen-degrading enzymes that break down joint cartilage. This, in effect, slows the progress of cartilage destruction that occurs in arthritis, reduces inflammation and thus lessens pain. He goes on to say, "Two years ago, research teams led by Professor John Harwood and myself at Cardiff University reported findings suggesting that the Omega-3 fatty acids in Cod Liver Oil can reduce cartilage degradation and inflammation in arthritic disease. Our most recent work shows that by exposing human osteoarthritic cartilage to Cod Liver Oil in the laboratory for just 24 hours we can turn off, or reverse, the action of the degradative enzymes and inflammatory factors affecting the tissue".

Vitamin C (Esther C): Vitamin C is an incredibly powerful builder of the immune system and joints.

SAMe: SAMe is a supplement formed in the body by an enzymatic reaction between adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) and methionine. It was discovered in 1952 in Italy and has been researched and manufactured there. SAMe works closely with folic acid and vitamin B-12
SAMe appears to raise levels of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter in mood regulation.
Clinical studies indicate that supplementation of SAMe is capable of improving the structure and function of joint cartilage. SAMe has also been shown to actually increase cartilage formation. These effects can enhance joint health and mobility.

I found it amazingly effective in treating joint pains and depression. The only negative I have heard was potentially that people with heart problems should be cautious. In any case, discuss with your doctor.

Cherries: According to research from Michigan State University tart cherries contain anthocyanins and bioflavonoids, which inhibit the enzymes Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, and prevent inflammation in the body. These compounds have similar activity as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen. Further investigations revealed that daily consumption of tart cherries has the potential to reduce the pain associated with joint inflammation. Many middle-aged and elderly consumers are choosing to drink cherry juice, eating cherries or consuming tart cherry pills rather than take over-the-counter medications to stave off the pain of joint inflammation.

Essential Oils & Aroma & Massage Therapy:

All oils are highly concentrated distillations of plant parts, including the flowers, leaves, branches and roots. Because they are so potent (hundreds of times more concentrated than the culinary fresh or dried herb or herbal teas, and therefore easy to overdose on) they should be used only under the supervision of a knowledgeable practitioner, such as a naturopathic physician, registered nurse, massage therapist, clinical herbalist or aromatherapist.

Here's a list of popular oils that address some common problems, as well as those common among people in treatment for cancer...

Eucalyptus or peppermint. For rubbing on sore muscles. Eucalyptus may also help joints, including arthritic ones. Eucalyptus may increase the absorption of certain cancer drugs that are applied topically, so use caution and try a patch test first, avoiding application to the same area as the cancer drug.

German Chamomile aka Hungarian, Blue Camomile and Matricaria recutita: Its scent is strong, sweet, warm, fatty, fruity and herbaceous. Its color is deep blue with major components of chamazulene (gives the oil its deep blue color), farnesene and bisabolol. The chamazulene content gives German chamomile its most important actions such as soothing, calming and anti-inflammatory. Among its uses are anti-inflammatory, hormonal, and antispasmodic. This oil is indicated for all kinds of skin disease (eczema, psoriasis, itchy/dry/flaky skin) stomach distress and menstrual problems and can be used in hot compresses on boils, abscesses, splinters, etc. It can also be used in massage for muscular pain and for arthritic inflamed joints. It's also useful for treating sprains, inflamed tendons and swollen painful joints in bursitis. It is a good remedy for urinary stones. Menstrual pain and menopausal problems can be relieved by the use of compresses, massage and baths. The action of chamomile as a vasoconstrictor can help reduce the redness of the cheeks due to enlarged capillaries.

Sweet Birch: A powerful oil which could irritate sensitive skin. Best used with caution or not at all. Stimulates the sweat glands aiding the body in releasing harmful toxins, can be used as a diuretic for water retention and edema, increases the flow of urine and its diuretic properties could also help with obesity and cellulitis. Useful in a massage for rheumatism and muscle pain since it eliminates accumulation of uric acid in the joints.

Aromatherapy has become so popular that Essential oils are now widely available, including in health food stores and supermarkets. Discuss possible inclusion of aromatherapy or massage therapy into your treatment program with a practitioner trained in this field.

Boswellia: Taken from the frankincense tree of Three Wise Men fame, this ancient remedy has been found to shrink the inflamed joint tissue that marks arthritis.

Joint Health

Index of Diseases / Health Conditions ... Medicinal Foods, Herbs, Spices & Household Items

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