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Joint Health

The biggest advantage with taking glucosamine is that it does not have any of the side effects commonly associated with NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen, or COX-2 such as Vioxx or Celebrex, the drugs that have traditionally been used for the treatment of arthritis. Another benefit is that glucosamine is far cheaper (it costs about a dollar a day) than NSAIDs or COX-2 drugs. Lastly, long term use of glucosamine causes no harmful side effects, but long term use of COX 2 drugs and NSAIDS have most certainly directly cause hundreds (if not thousands) of very well documented deaths and injuries every year. Vioxx was removed from the market due to the hundreds of thousands of strokes, heart attacks and other related events associated with its usage. Thousands of people every year die from chronic NSAIDs use every year. You heard that correctly, thousands die from taking "harmless" aspirin or ibuprofen every year.

Some clinical studies have also shown that glucosamine may even help in the re-growth of cartilage, or slowing down of the cartilage destruction - thereby slowing the deterioration of joint health over time. This is because glucosamine works from within, bathing your joints in a warm and protective solution. The effect of stimulating the cartilage cells to produce more components is to aid in the formation and repair of the cartilage. This, scientists theorize, therefore seems likely to vastly improve the health of your joints. This supports the longevity of the cartilage and promotes joint health over time. Glucosamine also can act as a preventative measure, helping to ward off problems before they start.

The only disadvantage with Glucosamine is the fact that pain relief is a bit slow to take effect (do not expect instant results), slower than in the case of NSAIDs or COX-2 drugs, which work within hours. Keep in mind thought, that NSAIDs and COX-2 drugs only serve as TEMPORARY pain-masking agents, while the healing effects of Glucosamine are long lasting. The good news is that you can take NSAIDs while you are taking glucosamine and then wean yourself off of the NSAIDs. Many people report that they are able to reduce or eliminate their traditional pain relief medications (under the direction of their doctor) after taking glucosamine for a period of time of about two to four weeks.

For immediate pain relief, some people combine glucosamine with traditional NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) drugs. Relief may take up to a month to take full effect, although commonly with liquids it may take about 2 weeks. A daily regimen of glucosamine can help keep your joints strong, healthy and help you maintain your cartilage for years to come.

MindBody Health Audio Series- Managing Arthritis $19.95 <>"It is very important to accept the concept that the mind & body are connected & this is very good news, because once a person takes full responsibility for working with the total picture, the outcomes can change dramatically.  This is not to say that all diseases will reverse, but once a person makes healthy lifestyle changes that include high level nutrition, stress & emotional management, as well as exercise, the body begins to heal & recovery is on the way." .....Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht The focus of this audio is the diminishing of arthritic symptoms.  The subconscious mind is programmed to release stress from all areas of the body.  As the mindbody learns to stay at these levels during the day & night, disease symptoms diminish as a portion of all discomfort is stress related, either on a conscious or subconscious level.  The listener learns to diminish emotional states that lead to stress chemical production, as well as to work with imagery designed specifically for the arthritic patient This audio includes deep relaxation, entry tools to the subconscious mind, imagery designed specifically for pain modification & lifestyle change, as well as Interactive Self-hypnosis © practice.   Note: All programs produced by International Medical & Health Writers, Ltd. are written & recorded by Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht.  Each program has 2 or 3 separate original Interactive Self-Hypnosis Sessions, each with it's own induction.  All programs include directions for listening & other important information.

Research: Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Fish Oil

Omega-3 fatty acids in dietary fish oil are reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic and anti-arrhythmic effects in humans, but the biochemical basis for these beneficial health effects is not well understood. Now a University of Michigan biochemist reports that fish oil significantly diminishes the production and effectiveness of various prostaglandins, naturally occurring hormone-like substances that can accentuate inflammation and thrombosis.

Dr. William L. Smith described his findings on April 4 at Experimental Biology 2006 in San Francisco. His presentation was part of the scientific program of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

Dietary fish oil causes its prostaglandin-lowering effects through three different mechanisms, says Dr. Smith.

First, the much fewer prostaglandins are made from omega 3 fatty acids as compared to the other class of fatty acids in the body, the omega 6 family of fatty acids that originate in the diet from leafy vegetables and other plant sources.

Second, the omega-3 fatty acids compete with omega-6 fatty acids for the same binding site on the COX 1 enzyme that converts the omega 6 fatty acids to prostaglandin (which is why the COX 1 enzyme and its COX 2 cousin are the targets of anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen). The more omega 3 fatty acids present to block the binding sites, the fewer omega 6 fatty acids are able to be converted to prostaglandin.

Third, although omega-3 fatty acids also are converted to prostaglandins, the prostaglandins formed from omega-3 are generally 2 to 50 times less active than those formed from the omega-6 fatty acids from dietary plants.

The biochemical basis of other benefits of dietary fish oil – for example, omega-3 fatty acids' impact on neuronal development and visual acuity -- are probably due to effects on biochemical pathways regulating nerve transmission. Understanding the different pathways through which omega-3 works to convert prostaglandin helps explain why the plant-based omega-6 fatty acids don't simply provide the same benefits.

Because of omega-3 fatty acids' known benefits to health, especially cardiovascular health, Dr. Smith's advice is simple: eat more fish.