Glucosamine - proven “drug” for arthritis?

Is glucosamine a wonder drug for arthritis?
Two three year studies published in this year’s March edition of the US medical journal, Menopause, showed taking glucosamine supplements gave measurable improvement to patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.
The popularity of glucosamine and other natural alternatives to treat Arthritis and joint complaints is rising and this increase could be justified.
These two European studies showed supplementing with glucosamine prevented the destruction of cartilage in the knee joints of woman suffering from osteoarthritis. Supplementing with glucosamine also reduced pain and improved joint function compared to a control group of woman taking a placebo.
The study in Menopause impressively concludes: "Glucosamine sulphate, therefore, is the first agent that meets the current requirements to be classified as a symptom and structure modifying drug in women with knee osteoarthritis."
In other words the authors conclude they have scientifically established glucosamine can help you rebuild joints and reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. And at this point in time no drug can make those duel claims.

Chicken cartilage could be another effective and neglected therapy for joints and particularly for Rheumatoid Arthritis .
In a double blind study at Harvard Medical School in 1993 patients with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis were given daily oral doses of chicken cartilage.
All these patients experienced improvements in swelling and tenderness in their joints. Four out of thirty patients experienced complete remission by the end of the ninety-day trial.
Similar results could be achieved taking a tablespoon of gelatine every day.
Gelatine, chicken cartilage and glucosamine are particularly high in collagen, an essential component of human joints.
Taking a tablespoon of gelatine a day may be the cheapest of the natural supplements for Arthritis and joint problems.

One of the oldest Arthritis therapies dates back to the 1700s.
Patients suffering crippling arthritis often found rapid relief with large doses of cod liver oil. The foul smelling oil was squeezed out of the liver of the cod and collected before and sometimes after, it fell to the street.
Unfortunately processing of fish oil was not heard of for two more centuries and taking unprocessed cod liver oil is about as pleasant as swallowing sump oil flavoured liberally with rotting fish heads.
Many patients preferred the disease to the cure and reverted to more pleasant although less effective therapies - usually involving copious quantities of alcohol.
Research again drew attention to fish oil in the 1980s with the more palatable processed fish oil we know today contained in tasteless gelatine capsules.
A study at the Royal Adelaide hospital in Australia in 1988 showed fish oil supplements helped relieve the symptoms of arthritis. After twelve weeks patients taking fish oil enjoyed increased grip strength, reduced pain and reduced levels of morning stiffness.
Several studies at various different universities confirmed the success of the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s experiment. These studies also went on to explain the action of the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil.
These omega 3 fatty acids can inhibit hormones implicated in arthritis like tumor necrosis factor, and various interleukins and leukotrines. To put it simply fish oil may help treat the major cause of arthritis.

Exercise is also crucial for joint health.
The cartilage or cushioning in your joints is like a sponge, soft and pliable. Whenever your joint moves the cartilage is squeezed, pushing out wastes. When the cartilage expands again it sucks in liquid and nutrients.
So moving affected joints is absolutely essential to expel wastes and allow nutrients back inside. Patients suffering from joint pain like arthritis often stop moving their joints due to the pain involved. This can lead to rapid deterioration.
Finding gentle ways of moving your joints with a minimum of pain is a common sense approach. Many people find exercising in water helps relieve some of the load bearing pressure on knee joints in particular.

In time modern Science will probably come up with a drug more effective at treating Rheumatoid Arthritis , osteoarthritis and joint complaints but for the time being natural therapies like glucosamine, gelatine fish oil and even exercise do seem to be leading the battle for our joints.


Andrew Cavanagh is a professional health writer and member of the Australasian Medical Writers Association.
He is also author of the free groundbreaking email course "Reversing all chronic disease" - subscribe free at www.glorioushealth.cjb.net

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