Print Article for : Natural Relief For Arthritis

Your Online Guide » Guide to Medical » Arthritis Signs

[N70]Natural Relief For Arthritis

by Laura Turner, Lau

The years of teaching high impact aerobics are catching up with me. Sure it's been great for the ticker, but the knees on the other hand are showing signs of age and making icky noises. What my Physical Therapist friends call "creep" and "crepitus" (which is just nice technical way of saying "grinding") had become loud enough to be heard by the naked ear! At the rate I was going - I was sure I'd need a knee replacement by 40. Of course this just won't do. So I've taken to doing leg extensions regularly and… taking glucosamine.

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.

Migraine episodes last, on average, between 6 and 48 hours and sometimes leave the person bedridden or unable to function fully. Symptoms are many, but always include intense throbbing pain, usually on just one side of the head.

Although specific causes are unknown, migraines are thought to be the result of inflammation. This can come from stress, hormonal changes (especially during menstruation, ovulation or puberty), medications (including birth control pills), MSG, alcohol, caffeine or eating certain foods (such as chocolate).

There are two main types of migraine headaches -common and classic. About 80% fall into the common migraine category without an aura. These are generally much less painful than the classic variety with auras. An aura is an array of visual disturbances (flashing lights, seeing spots, complex patterns or shapes, etc.) that occur shortly before the onset of a headache. Auras are sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Ocular migraines are often confused with classic migraines. But, although the aura experience can be similar, it occurs in only one eye. And if a headache follows, it's usually less violent. The symptoms are only temporary and aren't harmful to the eye. Ocular migraines can, however, interfere with reading or driving.

Migraine sufferers may find temporary relief by lying down in a cool, quiet, dark place or by applying an ice pack or cold compresses to the pulsing area. The headache will usually go away after a nap or a full nights sleep.

Once you're free of the migraine, it's a good time to start a prevention program. Making simple lifestyle changes can often permanently eliminate migraines. Begin by finding ways to live a less stressful life. This can take some work, but less stress will be worth the effort.

The next two steps are to start a regular moderate exercise program and switch to a healthier migraine-free diet. Avoid any food that might trigger headache symptoms. These include caffeine, chocolate, sugar, soft drinks, alcohol, processed grains and sweets (desserts, pastries, cookies, cake, sweetened cereals, etc.). These foods can be addictive, so you may have to wean yourself off of them gradually.

You can actually learn to enjoy eating a whole food diet with lots of nutritious vegetables, whole grains, fresh fruit, lean protein and pure water. This is an essential step. And, to reduce the inflammation and eliminate pain, add to your diet a high quality omega 3 fish oil supplement.

Fortunately, most migraine sufferers, even those who've been suffering from them for many years, find they can prevent migraine headaches naturally by making these simple lifestyle changes. And, oh what a relief - to be migraine free!

Article Source : Pg. 13

About Author

Both Laura Turner & Michael Byrd are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Laura Turner has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lose Weight, Health and Green Tea. . Laura Turner's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.

Michael Byrd has sinced written about articles on various topics from Learn Hypnosis, Aquarium Fish and Omega 3. Michael Byrd has over 18 years of education and experience in the fields of physical therapy, health, fitness and nutrition. His pursuit of wellness has led him to research