|
| |
Arthritis Pain Relief 101
Coming of age equals coming of a variety of body pains. And do you know what most of our oldies would complain about regarding this issue? Arthritis. An estimate of over 50 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other ...
Buying Drugs Online-- Tips For Consumers
Like many Americans, it seems that every time I check my e-mail my inbox is cluttered with a dozen unsolicited messages from web sites peddling Viagra, Cialis, OxyContin, and any number of other potent medications "without a prescription." Ordering ...
Should You Fight A Fever?
Most people would worry if their temperature, or the temperature of their child or other loved one, was to rise by more than a couple of degrees and they would probably act to try to reduce the temperature to nearer the normal 37C/98.6F. Surprisingly, ...
|
|
|
| |
Glucosamine - What's That?
"Glucosamine" is a natural constituent of cartilage which has been shown to stimulate the production of connective tissue! In more technical terms, glucosamine is considered an "amino sugar." An amino sugar is the component of a carbohydrate which does not contribute to the body's energy - instead it gets incorporated into body tissues, forming such structures as tendons, ligaments, bones, skin, nails, eyes and heart valves.
What is Glucosamine Used For?
Glucosamine supplements have been used most recently (according to the research I consulted) for everything from joint pain to connective tissue repair. It's best know for its contribution to tendon and ligament support, for building joint cartilage as well as reducing destruction of cartilage. It has also shown promise in reducing inflammation due to asthma and bursitis, lessen the incidence of food allergies, tendonitis and skin problems! As if that isn't enough - what I find most exciting about glucosamine is its use in relief of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
How Glucosamine Works
It's fairly basic. We produce less glucosamine as we age, therefore our cartilage has difficulty retaining water. Depletion of this fluid, which ads "cushion" to the joints and other tissues, can create everything from joint pain to arthritis. Glucosamine (together with its counterpart chondroitin - another naturally occurring substance) - helps to counteract this water loss as well as restore cartilage.
Side Effects
So What's the bad news? I always want to know. Here's what I found: Since these substances are naturally occurring - they work on the body differently than synthetic drugs (think Prednisone) or anti-inflam's like Naproxen. This said - it takes a while to notice signs of joint help - more than likely it could take up to a year of regular supplementation before the benefits take hold. Once they do, however, 50% of all regular users have reported definite decreases in symptoms of joint pain - I will let you know! The only other downside I could find to the glucosamine/chondroitin complex users were nausea and heartburn - although they are rare and counteracted by eating prior to supplementation.
How To?
As I've just stated, always take the glucosamine/chondroitin complex with meals to avoid side effects. I take one, 500 mg tablet once a day. Dr. Mindell (I am a big fan of his work: see below) recommends taking just 1-3 500 mg. tabs daily for three weeks (to get a boost), then take one, 500 mg. tab daily.
My Usual Disclaimer:
As always, please check with your healthcare provider before supplementation - discuss with him/her any medications you are taking to avoid interactions. Although herbs and other naturally occurring substances are considered "food" (simply because they can't be patented and trademarked thus cannot come under scrutiny of the FDA) they are still very strong substances in the body and should not be taken lightly! Check out more literature - educate yourself!
My Favorite Resources (and research sources for this article) Include:
Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing. New York: Penguin Putnam, 2004.
Khalsa, Dharma Singh, M.D. Food As Medicine. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003.
Mindell, Earl, R.P.h., Ph.D. The Vitamin Bible. New York: Warner Books, 2004.
Mindell, Earl, R.P.h., Ph.D. Prescription Alternatives. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
About The Author
Laura Turner is a natural health practitioner and author. She hosts http://www.beauty-and-body.com and publishes the New Body News and Wellness Letter, The Online Magazine Healthy People Read. ( http://www.new-body-news.com ) Subscribe for f.r.e.e. and receive her Special Report: "Take Charge of Your Health!" and check out her latest book: Spiritual Fitness!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Positron Announces Posi Rx ™ Program for a Total Solution in Cardiac ... - Businesswire.com
HOUSTON--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Positron Corporation (OTCBB:POSC) announced today that they will market its complete turnkey offering of radiopharmaceuticals, camera service and imaging for a total solution to customers under the name Posi Rx ...
Brain pacemaker helps Parkinson's, but with risks - Guardian Unlimited
Associated Press Writer= CHICAGO (AP) â Parkinson's sufferers who had electrodes implanted in their brains improved substantially more than those who took only medicine, according to the biggest test yet of deep brain stimulation. The study ...
Asian bourses rise on US spending expectations - Gulf Times
SINGAPORE: Asian shares rose yesterday, lifting the benchmark index by the most in three weeks, after US President-elect Barack Obama indicated stimulus spending will continue for years, boosting confidence consumption in the world’s biggest ...
Australia retain first place after Sydney win - New Kerala
Dubai, Jan 7: Australia retained their No.1 ranking by winning the Sydney Test but South Africa will go top if they win the return series starting next month. Australia, however, lost the three-match Test series 2-1 against South Africa and the ...
How big Jurassic flying reptiles got off ground - WTOP Radio
This undated handout illustration provided by The Johns Hopkins University shows the massive 30-foot wingspan of the toothless pteranodon, left, was surpassed by that of Hatzegopteryx, right, at 40 feet or more. Pterosaurs, sometimes weighed more ...
|
