UNDERSTANDING CARTILAGE, JOINTS AND THE AGING PROCESS
A lifetime of walking, exercising and moving can take a toll on your cartilage – the smooth, shiny, white connective tissue that covers the ends of bones.
The degeneration of this cartilage can lead to arthritis and cause chronic inflammation in your joints.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is also commonly called degenerative joint disease.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE JOINTS
Cartilage cushions the ends of your bones and allows them to move smoothly and easily against each other.
A membrane called synovium surrounds your joints and produces a thick fluid that helps keep your cartilage healthy.
Your synovium can become inflamed and thickened as wear and tear on your cartilage occurs. This can lead to inflammation and cause extra fluid to build up in your joints, leading to swelling.
The joints most frequently affected by osteoarthritis are:
- knees
- hips
- hands
- feet
- spine
As cartilage deteriorates further, the underlying bones may not be adequately cushioned by your cartilage.
Once your bone surfaces come into direct contact with each other, there is usually additional pain and inflammation that occurs in your joints and surrounding tissues.
As your bones continue to grind and rub against each other, they begin to develop osteophytes, or bone spurs, one of the most common findings in joints with osteoarthritis.
THE NATURAL PROCESS OF AGING
The older you get, the more common it is to feel a slight ache or pain when:
- you are in a standing position
- you go up the stairs
- you exercise
Naturally, your body doesn't recover as quickly as it did before.
Additionally, cartilage naturally deteriorates with age, and stiffness, especially after prolonged sitting or lying, is one of the most common symptoms in people with osteoarthritis.
As your body's natural shock absorbers wear out, your joints are less able to absorb the demands our lives place on them.
Muscle tone and bone strength also decline with age, making physically demanding tasks more difficult and tiring on your body. Many people suffer from chronic joint pain in their knees, hands, elbows, shoulders and elsewhere. In most cases, this is caused by the most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis.
PREVENTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF AILMENTS
1/ EPA/DHA FISH OIL
Fish oil contains fatty acids omega-3 , docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, which have anti-inflammatory effects.
A trusted source analysis of clinical research shows that taking fish oil supplements reduces symptoms such as joint pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis. But it doesn't seem to reduce osteoarthritis symptoms.
Try Tri Omega: Typical doses of fish oil range from 300 to 1,000 mg per day. You can find fish oil supplements.
2/ GLUCOSAMINE
Glucosamine is a natural component of cartilage, a substance that prevents bones from rubbing against each other and causing pain and inflammation. It could also help prevent the breakdown of cartilage that can occur with arthritis.
Many supplements aimed at treating joint pain contain glucosamine, which is one of the most studied supplements for osteoarthritis.
There are two types of glucosamine in supplements: glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulfate.
A Mayo Clinic meta-analysis found that products containing glucosamine hydrochloride do little to improve joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. Another Mayo Clinic study shows that glucosamine sulfate improves these symptoms, so it may be a better option than glucosamine hydrochloride.
When taken over a long period of time, glucosamine sulfate may also help slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Studies suggest it slows joint space narrowing, a marker of worsening condition, when taken for up to three years.
Try the Flexi Joint: Glucosamine sulfate is typically taken once daily at a dose of 1,500 milligrams (mg). If this upsets your stomach, try spreading it over three doses of 500 mg each.
3/ CHONDROITIN
Like glucosamine, chondroitin is a building block of cartilage. It may also help prevent cartilage breakdown due to osteoarthritis.
Numerous clinical studies have shown that chondroitin can reduce joint pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis. About 53% of people who take chondroitin have a 20% or more improvement in knee pain.
Chondroitin sulfate may also slow the progression of osteoarthritis when taken long-term. Studies show it slows joint space narrowing when taken for up to 2 years.
Joint supplements often combine chondroitin with glucosamine.
Try the Flexi Joint: Chondroitin is usually taken at a dose of 400 to 800 mg two or three times a day.
4/ METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is another common ingredient in supplements claimed to help relieve joint pain.
In a Mayo Clinic study, MSM improved pain and function compared to a placebo in people with osteoarthritis.
Try the Flexi Joint: Typical doses of MSM range from 1,500 to 6,000 mg per day, sometimes divided into two doses.
5/ VITAMIN C
Vitamin C has antioxidant properties known to help strengthen the immune system, protect cells from free radicals, and help build and maintain collagen and connective tissue in the body. Studies have shown that vitamin C may benefit most people with early osteoarthritis.
6/ VITAMIN D
Studies have shown that people with low levels of vitamin D tend to suffer from joint pain more frequently. Vitamin D also helps the body absorb calcium. By taking this vitamin, one can help strengthen bones and joints.
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