If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you’ve heard of a relatively new over-the-counter remedy called Glucosamine. But what is Glucosamine, and how does it work to relieve arthritis? In this article, I’ll introduce you to this new treatment and provide you with the pros and cons of its use. By the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on whether or not Glucosamine is right for you.
What is Glucosamine?
Glucosamine, together with a related ingredient called Chondroitin, are substances which exist naturally in your body. It is believed that glucosamine helps to build and repair cartilage (the soft, spongy material between your joints), while chondroitin lends to the elasticity and flexibility of joints. A deficiency of either one can lead to increased wear and tear on the joint, and cause redness, swelling and stiffness as a result. When used together, glucosamine and chondroitin act as a tag-team of arthritis fighters, improving flexibility, soothing inflammation and reducing swelling caused by achy joints.
Where Can I Buy Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements?
You can find these products in virtually any pharmacy or health goods store. The downside to this is, like other herbal and alternative medicines, supplements are not regulated by any governing body. That’s why you’ll need to do a little bit of research to find the best, most potent brand for your needs. Here’s what you need to know when comparison shopping for a glucosamine supplement:
· You should expect to pay anywhere from $1-3 per pill when taking glucosamine daily. Since insurance companies rarely cover supplements of any kind, you’ll most likely be paying for them out of pocket.
· Read the ingredients label on the bottle to determine the dosage. Approximately 1500mg of glucosamine and 1200mg of chondroitin have been safely used in clinical trials. Depending on your individual medication tolerances and the severity of your arthritis, you should consult your physician or rheumatologist to find the right dose for your individual needs.
· Select supplements manufactured by a well-known, reputable company. Recommended brands include: Osteo Bi-Flex, WholeHealth, Flex-A-Min, MoveFree and individual pharmacy brands.
Are There Any Side Effects I Should Know About?
As with any medication or supplements, there are a few warnings you should know:
· If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, as no long-term studies have been done to gage what materials (if any) are passed on to the baby either internally or through breast milk.
· If you are diabetic, chondroitin (a form of sugar) may cause your blood sugar to rise.
· Chondroitin also acts as a mild blood thinner. Therefore, if you are taking any heart medication or are taking an aspirin regimen, have your blood clotting time checked more frequently by your doctor.
· Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements should not be taken by children since no studies have been done to determine their effect (if any) on the child’s development.
(Please note: The information contained within this article is not intended to replace or substitute for that of an experienced physician. Remember to check with your doctor or rheumatologist before starting daily glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, and don’t stop or reduce any of your current medications (whether they’re for arthritis or not) without first talking with your doctor).
Monday, 12 November 2012
Foods To Help Arthritis
Does eating certain foods help to cure arthritis? Conversely, is the elimination of certain foods any help in controlling this debilitating and painful disease? With over 100 different forms of arthritis and not a lot of research into its causes and cures, the debate rages on.
Because the symptoms of arthritis often seem to come and go without warning it’s hard to tell whether any sudden relief was due to a new diet or not. It is important for the sufferer to be able to choose a new treatment because it makes him feel to some degree in control of his life and also gives hope, an important consideration.
Researchers have discovered that a diet including too many calories can actually aggravate RA, while 5% of sufferers in another study showed a flare-up of symptoms after drinking milk. A reduction of fat, dairy and red meat was shown to relieve pain. In 1998, Finnish researchers found that the addition of lactobacillus improved symptoms of RA. This was supported by animal experiments, where mice given lactobacillus were found to be less likely to develop the disease and their immune systems were more able to cope with it if they did.
One thing to remember when following any diet is that the nutrients lost through the elimination of any foods must be replaced by other means. Certain foods or food groups often seem to cause a worsening of arthritis symptoms. In this case, an elimination diet could be helpful. All suspected foods must be completely eliminated from the diet for several weeks, then reinstated one at a time over a period of several days. If the symptoms of pain and inflammation re-occur after each food is eaten again, then it could be a culprit. This should be done at least three times to determine that there were no other factors involved. If an elimination diet is followed, it is wise to keep two diaries. One of the food eaten and at what times and dates, the other of the dates and times of pain flare-ups. When the two are compared, it will be plain to see what was eaten that could have caused pain.
Some of the food groups that are suspected of causing pain are the nightshade group ie, white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers. Others are red meat, lemons, grapefruit, corn, wheat, rye and milk, eggs coffee, sugar and cheese.
One of the main studies done way back in the 1950’s has shown that fish oil has a very beneficial affect on arthritis pain. Fish oil supplements are widely taken, but in some cases cause unwelcome side effects like a fishy after-taste, gas and an upset stomach. Some researchers recommend simply adding omega 3’s to the diet by eating cold-water fish like mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, anchovies, bluefish and mullet.
Another study, researched and supported by the University of Manchester, discovered that people with high levels of beta-cryptoxanthin were 40% less likely to develop arthritis. This is classed as a pro-vitamin A carotenoid which can be found in all yellow or orange- fleshed fruits and vegetables. It enhances bone, skin and immune health. Pumpkin, winter squash and peppers are the vegetables with the highest levels of beta-cryptoxanthin, while tangerines, persimmons and papayas are the fruits with the highest levels.
Because the symptoms of arthritis often seem to come and go without warning it’s hard to tell whether any sudden relief was due to a new diet or not. It is important for the sufferer to be able to choose a new treatment because it makes him feel to some degree in control of his life and also gives hope, an important consideration.
Researchers have discovered that a diet including too many calories can actually aggravate RA, while 5% of sufferers in another study showed a flare-up of symptoms after drinking milk. A reduction of fat, dairy and red meat was shown to relieve pain. In 1998, Finnish researchers found that the addition of lactobacillus improved symptoms of RA. This was supported by animal experiments, where mice given lactobacillus were found to be less likely to develop the disease and their immune systems were more able to cope with it if they did.
One thing to remember when following any diet is that the nutrients lost through the elimination of any foods must be replaced by other means. Certain foods or food groups often seem to cause a worsening of arthritis symptoms. In this case, an elimination diet could be helpful. All suspected foods must be completely eliminated from the diet for several weeks, then reinstated one at a time over a period of several days. If the symptoms of pain and inflammation re-occur after each food is eaten again, then it could be a culprit. This should be done at least three times to determine that there were no other factors involved. If an elimination diet is followed, it is wise to keep two diaries. One of the food eaten and at what times and dates, the other of the dates and times of pain flare-ups. When the two are compared, it will be plain to see what was eaten that could have caused pain.
Some of the food groups that are suspected of causing pain are the nightshade group ie, white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers. Others are red meat, lemons, grapefruit, corn, wheat, rye and milk, eggs coffee, sugar and cheese.
One of the main studies done way back in the 1950’s has shown that fish oil has a very beneficial affect on arthritis pain. Fish oil supplements are widely taken, but in some cases cause unwelcome side effects like a fishy after-taste, gas and an upset stomach. Some researchers recommend simply adding omega 3’s to the diet by eating cold-water fish like mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, anchovies, bluefish and mullet.
Another study, researched and supported by the University of Manchester, discovered that people with high levels of beta-cryptoxanthin were 40% less likely to develop arthritis. This is classed as a pro-vitamin A carotenoid which can be found in all yellow or orange- fleshed fruits and vegetables. It enhances bone, skin and immune health. Pumpkin, winter squash and peppers are the vegetables with the highest levels of beta-cryptoxanthin, while tangerines, persimmons and papayas are the fruits with the highest levels.
Friday, 9 November 2012
Jobs for Arthritis Sufferers
The kinds of jobs that are suitable for sufferers of arthritis depend entirely on which part of the body is affected and by how much. Since doctors recommend gentle exercises such as walking or water aerobics to aid the stiffness and keep muscles working, it makes sense to take a job that is not stressful for your affected joints. If your wrists are painful you certainly shouldn’t be using a jackhammer. But low-impact jobs such as typing for hours at a time can be just as stressful if they are repetitive.
Walking is good, but standing in the one spot for any length of time would not be advisable if your knees are the affected part. Some people even find that ironing can affect their knees more than their wrists. Bending or lifting heavy weights is not advised either, especially if there is pain in the back or neck. No furniture removal jobs for you!
On the other hand, if your arthritis is not too bad, you will feel all the better for being gainfully employed, even if the job is only part time. There are many jobs that don’t require you to be supremely fit. The best thing to do is work out, with the help of your health care professional, what sort of job you are able to do. One that won’t make your arthritis any worse.
Walking dogs could be something you may enjoy, so long as they are not too active. Wrists and shoulders could suffer if you have a huge dog that tugs you along at breakneck speed. If you can still drive without pain, a driving job might be the one to go for. Don’t forget that you would need to be able to get in and out of the vehicle without pain. A ‘front-desk’ type of job could be a good bet for the arthritis sufferer. Here there will be a certain amount of variety between standing, walking, sitting and typing.
If full-time employment is too much to handle, try part-time work. Even jobs classified as ‘working from home’ provide interest and a small remuneration. Avon, delivering catalogues of various kinds, or party planning jobs (if the products are not heavy) - all have their good points.
Gardening can be beneficial and therapeutic too, so long as you leave the digging to someone else. There are many tools available that will make the job easier. Hand tools that are fitted with longer handles are especially helpful. In fact, some who are completely wheel chair bound have been able to attend to gardening chores quite successfully with the aid of special tools and determination. The main thing is to do something that will give you an interest and make you feel useful.
Walking is good, but standing in the one spot for any length of time would not be advisable if your knees are the affected part. Some people even find that ironing can affect their knees more than their wrists. Bending or lifting heavy weights is not advised either, especially if there is pain in the back or neck. No furniture removal jobs for you!
On the other hand, if your arthritis is not too bad, you will feel all the better for being gainfully employed, even if the job is only part time. There are many jobs that don’t require you to be supremely fit. The best thing to do is work out, with the help of your health care professional, what sort of job you are able to do. One that won’t make your arthritis any worse.
Walking dogs could be something you may enjoy, so long as they are not too active. Wrists and shoulders could suffer if you have a huge dog that tugs you along at breakneck speed. If you can still drive without pain, a driving job might be the one to go for. Don’t forget that you would need to be able to get in and out of the vehicle without pain. A ‘front-desk’ type of job could be a good bet for the arthritis sufferer. Here there will be a certain amount of variety between standing, walking, sitting and typing.
If full-time employment is too much to handle, try part-time work. Even jobs classified as ‘working from home’ provide interest and a small remuneration. Avon, delivering catalogues of various kinds, or party planning jobs (if the products are not heavy) - all have their good points.
Gardening can be beneficial and therapeutic too, so long as you leave the digging to someone else. There are many tools available that will make the job easier. Hand tools that are fitted with longer handles are especially helpful. In fact, some who are completely wheel chair bound have been able to attend to gardening chores quite successfully with the aid of special tools and determination. The main thing is to do something that will give you an interest and make you feel useful.
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