| Health Concerns > Osteoarthritis | May 9, 2008 |
Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused when wear and tear has damaged a joint. The weight bearing joints and the joints of the hands are most often affected. Chronic inflammation damages the cartilaginous tissue lining the joint, and it is gradually replaced by hardened scar tissue. Bone spurs develop in the joint margins.
Since joints are continuously being used, they are experiencing wear and tear all of the time. Joints are also healing all of the time. With aging or increased stress, the healing process can’t keep up with the wear and tear, and osteoarthritis will slowly develop.
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are difficult to diagnose and are often confused with one another. They can coexist.
The optimum approach to arthritis is to try to reverse the disease naturally using the dietary and supplementation recommendations below before resorting to powerful drug regimens. This approach is usually very successful in early and middle stage arthritis.
Symptoms
Symptoms and characteristics of osteoarthritis:- joint pain and stiffness
- develops gradually; morning stiffness is often the first symptom
- pain on motion of involved joint that is made worse by prolonged activity and relieved by rest
- decreased joint mobility
- swollen joints
- inflammation early in disease is minimal; inflamed joints in later stages
Approach
Nutritional strategies for curing osteoarthritis address reducing inflammation, supporting joint tissue health, encouraging joints to heal faster, and fostering optimum health.Suggested Supplements
The following nutritional supplements have been found effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis:- Glucosamine accelerates joint healing by providing the raw material the body can't make enough of when joints are healing. Take 3000 mg (3 capsules twice daily) for optimum results. Attempts to use less than 3000 mg daily frequently result in treatment failure. Wait at least two months for optimum outcome. When desired results are obtained, reduce dose to 2000 mg. daily for maintainance.
- MSM supplies methyl groups and sulfur, and has been shown to accelerate joint and connective tissue healing.Optimum dose is 3000 mg MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) daily (two 750 mg. capsules twice daily). In osteoarthritis there is a loss of sufated proteoglycans necessary for the synthesis of hyaline cartilage. MSM donates sulfur, removing this block to synthesis of new cartilage. MSM must be continued for 3-6 months for optimum effectiveness. As with glucosamine, taking less than 3000 mg (2 capsules) daily greatly decreases the risk of therapeutic success.
- A high quality multivitamin-mineral such as Renewal Research Multivitamin-Mineral Essential vitamins and minerals are always in short supply when demands on healing systems are increased, as in arthritis. Essential nutrient supplementation is specially important for arthritis. Selenium (200 mcg daily) in the multiple reduces inflammation. Boron (1-2 mg. daily) in the multiple is low in diets of people with osteoarthritis, and supplementation for at least 2-4 months has been associated in some studies with a 90% remission rate.
- 1-2 Tablespoons Flax Seed/Borage Seed Oil Liquid daily, or 6-12 capsules Flax/Borage Oil Softgels speeds joint healing and improves immune health.
Other nutrients for osteoarthritis include:
- SAMe has been found in several research studies to reverse osteoarthritis. Take one 200 mg. tablet 2-3 times a day.
- Vitamin C (2000-4000 mg. daily) is an antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and is necessary for synthesis of new joint tissue.
- Vitamin E (contained in the multiple) relieves pain and inflammation.
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Dr. Smith recommends the following supplements
for this health concern. Detailed infomation is
available by clicking on the product name.
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