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Joint Support

Joint Support Supplements

For proper joint support, supplements geared toward enhancing joint function can be quite beneficial and should be taken with consistency. The primary joint support supplements found to assist joint and connective tissue pain relief and repair are: Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Bromelain.

GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE

The main physiological function of glucosamine on joints is to stimulate the manufacture of cartilage components as well as promote the incorporation of sulfur into cartilage. In other words, glucosamine is not only responsible for stimulating the manufacture of substances necessary for proper joint function, it also is responsible for stimulating joint repair.

It appears that as some people age, they lose the ability to manufacture sufficient levels of glucosamine. The result is that cartilage loses its ability to act as a shock absorber. The inability to manufacture glucosamine has been suggested to be the major factor leading to osteoarthritis. Research studies show that supplementing with glucosamine sulfate compared to a placebo aids in relieving the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

In addition to showing benefit in double-blind studies, oral glucosamine sulfate was shown to offer significant benefit in an open trial involving 252 doctors and 1,506 patients in Portugal. This large study provides valuable clinical information on the appropriate use of glucosamine sulfate.

The patients in this study received 500 mg of glucosamine sulfate three times daily over a mean period of 50+/-14 days. The results were analyzed and showed that the symptoms of pain at rest, on standing, and on exercise and limited active and passive movements improved steadily throughout the treatment period.

Objective therapeutic efficacy was rated by doctors as "good" in 59% of patients, and "sufficient" in a further 36%. Therefore, a total of 95% of patients achieved benefit from glucosamine sulfate. The results with glucosamine sulfate were rated by both doctors and patients as being significantly better than those obtained with previous treatment including vitamin therapy and cartilage extracts. (Tapadinhas MJ, et al.; Oral glucosamine sulfate in the management of arthrosis; report on a multi-centre open investigation in Portugal. Pharmatherapeutica 3;157-68, 1982.)

The standard dose for glucosamine sulfate is 500 mg three times per day. Obese individuals may need higher dosages based on their body weight (20 mg/kg body weight/day).

Glucosamine sulfate is extremely well-tolerated. In addition, there are no contra-indications or adverse interactions with drugs. Individuals taking diuretics may need to take higher dosages. Glucosamine sulfate may cause some gastrointestinal upset (nausea, heartburn, etc.) in rare instances. If this occurs, try taking it with meals.

CHONDROITIN SULFATE

Chondroitin sulfate falls into a category of compounds known as "glycosaminoglycans" - basically a long chain of specialized polysaccharides (or sugars). In the body, chondroitin is used as a building block for larger structures known as proteoglycans - which are in turn used to form connective tissues such as cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate is not found in the diet in appreciable amounts - the primary source being animal cartilage (such as the trachea of cows).

Just this past year separate researcher groups have performed "meta-analyses" of all studies using chondroitin sulfate to treat osteoarthritis. This type of statistical analysis gathers the evidence from the available research studies and looks at them together - allowing researchers to combine several small studies into one large analysis and providing scientists with more "power" (a statistical term) to determine whether an actual beneficial effect exists for a treatment or not). Both research groups found that over the course of approximately 4 months of treatment, chondroitin sulfate was significantly superior to placebo in relieving joint pain and that patients taking chondroitin sulfate showed improvements of at least 50% in measurements such as pain level, joint stiffness and walking speed. In other smaller studies, chondroitin sulfate also appears to slow the progression of cartilage degradation in the knee joint - an effect measured by a stabilization of the medial femoro-tibial (knee) joint width.

The typical recommendation for chondroitin supplementation is 1200mg per day. Although the daily dose is frequently supplied in divided doses of 400mg (taken 3 times per day) or 600mg (taken twice per day), taking the entire 1200mg in one dose appears to be just as effective in alleviating joint pain. A large number of dietary supplements combine chondroitin with glucosamine - but it is still not known whether this combination of ingredients is any better than either supplement on its own.

MSM

MSM - Methylsulfonylmethane - should be taken internally as a food (dietary) supplement. MSM is necessary for collagen synthesis: skin, hair and nails. MSM keeps cells from becoming rigid. MSM softens tissue ("the beauty mineral"), and is believed to relieve stress, asthma, arthritis, inflammation, constipation, candida, detoxify the body and increase blood circulation, reduce muscle cramps, and back pain, help muscles to heal, increases energy, alertness, mental calmness, and the ability to concentrate. MSM scavenges free radicals, relieves allergies to food and pollens, helps the liver produce choline, controls acidity in stomach and ulcers, coats intestinal tract so parasites lose ability to hang on, helps with hypersensitivity to drugs, increases body's ability to produce insulin, is important for carbohydrate metabolism, and speeds wound healing.

MSM (or DMSO2), short for Methylsulfonylmethane is found naturally in food when food is fresh, it is driven out of all foods, even with moderate processing. The "S" in DMSO2 stands for sulfur, most people are sulfur deficient unless they eat their fish and meat raw and their vegetables uncooked. MSM is present in most green plant food stuffs and certain algae, and a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains in small amounts and is destroyed with dehydration and heat.

MSM is the transport molecule for elemental sulfur or assimilable source of essential sulfur which is required for proper assimilation of the alpha amino acids methionine and cysteine. In addition, the peptide hormone - insulin requires sulfur in its molecular structure and numerous other proteins, catalysts, and enzymes incorporate sulfur into their molecular framework. Proteins are essential for proper cellular metabolism and soft tissue synthesis. Proper protein synthesis can only be achieved with MSM monomers which maintain the correct molecular framework for soft and connective tissue throughout the human body.

At higher levels MSM functions as an active agent which can be used safely and effectively for a variety of purposes. MSM unlike DMSO is a dietary factor, and is free of unpleasant odors and neutralizes the toxicity of anticholinesterase, thereby providing protection against insecticide exposure or ingestion. When administered orally it is effective in ameliorating symptoms of physiological response to stress including gastrointestinal upset, inflammation of the mucous membranes, pain associated with musculoskeletal system disorders, and infectant allergens and appears to augment immunological competence through a natural vitamin like moderating or normalizing activity for various body functions and is noted for its exceptionally non-toxic nature for both children and adults, including geriatric patients. MSM is also effective in ameliorating gastrointestinal upsets such as that produced by the ingestion of aspirin and other pharmaceuticals or parasitic infections. Individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, chronic constipation, nausea, hyperacidity and/or epigastric pain, or inflammation of mucous membranes also will experience dramatic relief. Individuals presenting symptoms of pain and inflammation associated with various musculoskeletal system disorders, including arthritis, reported substantial and long-lasting relief. Migraine sufferers also have obtained substantial relief while arthritic patients report relief from pain and stiffness as well as reduced swelling and inflammation.

A single dose of MSM is usually not effective in ameliorating symptoms. Noticeable results are usually seen within 2 to 21 days (certain problems may take much longer to notice changes). Daily dosages of 2,000 to 4,000 mg are recommended. Many people use up to 30 grams (30,000 mg) a day of MSM with wonderful benefits. So, don't be concerned with taking 4,000 mg or more a day.

BROMELAIN

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple. It has been credited with a number of health benefits, including aiding digestion, speeding wound healing, and reducing inflammation (which is where it comes into play with joint support). Many health professionals recommend Bromelain for pain, inflammation and swelling. Raw pineapple alone cannot provide sufficient amounts of this digestive enzyme. Bromelain must be obtained from supplements to be nutritionally beneficial for the joints.

Bromelain's effectiveness is due to its ability to reduce the harmful prostaglandins in the body that cause pain and inflammation and block the absorption of nutrients through the tissues. By helping to inhibit these pro-inflammation. Bromelain is a safe and nutritional alternative for maintaining healthy joints. Bromelain also has a positive effect on the "good" prostaglandins.

The recommended dosage of bromelain is anywhere from 300mg to 500mg three times a day between meals.

With proper nutrition, a balanced diet and exercise you will improve the quality of your life. When this is accomplished, any individual can enhance their health. At Supplement Central, it is easy to find just what you need and get information about joint support supplements and other nutritional supplementation. If you have questions, or are ready to start experiencing these benefits in your life contact us today.