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How can I be proactive to prevent arthritis?
First, we need to identify the type of arthritis you have…
There are many different types of arthritis that medical professionals see and treat everyday. However, when the general public talks about arthritis, it is Osteoarthritis, or Degenerative Joint Disease that they are concerned about. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the oldest and most common type of arthritis. It is characterized by the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage. Cartilage is the material that lines the joints and the ends of the bones. Cartilage breakdown causes bones to rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, and loss of movement.
OA is a process that occurs over time - most commonly affecting middle-aged and older people. OA can range from very mild to very severe. It affects hands and weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips, feet, and the back. OA is estimated to affect over 20 million Americans, most often after age 45. Women are more commonly affected than men. 80% of the people with OA reported some form of limitation in movement of activity that caused a decreased quality of life.
How can you be proactive in preventing OA? Here are some things you should know.
Symptoms of joint pain and swelling that last more than a day or two require medical attention. The earlier an accurate diagnosis is made and treatment started, the better. Early treatment can often mean less joint damage and less pain.
It was thought for many years that if you were diagnosed with OA you should not exercise because it would further damage your joints. Now, however, research has shown that exercise is an essential tool in managing arthritis. Regular, moderate exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness, builds strong muscle around the joints, and increases flexibility and endurance.
An exercise program can include anything from walking around the block, taking yoga class, or playing a round of golf. It is always good to start with flexibility exercises, which are basically stretching exercises. Ask a fitness professional what is best for you. You may be reluctant to exercise because you are in such pain. If this is the case you may want to start with a water exercise program. In the water your body’s buoyancy reduces stress on your hips, knees, and spine. Once you feel more confident you can progress to weight-bearing exercise.
Can the food you eat cause or affect your arthritis? That’s one of the most common questions people with arthritis ask. Because the symptoms of arthritis can vary from day to day, it is natural to think that what you ate yesterday caused or reduced the pain you feel today.
The general consensus of nutritional experts today is that arthritis sufferers should eat a healthy diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables just like everyone else. There is data to suggest that a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals found in fresh fruits and vegetables and the omega-3 free fatty acids found in deep water fish are the most beneficial nutrients. However, the most important role of proper nutrition is managing your weight. Excess weight puts additional stress on the joints most commonly damaged. The goal of everyone with arthritis is to maintain his or her ideal body weight.
There is an important supplement approach to arthritis that everyone needs to know about. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are substances found naturally in our cartilage. Glucosamine is a form of amino sugar that is believed to play a role in cartilage formation. Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives cartilage elasticity. The body makes both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. They do not come from the food we eat.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can be safely taken as a supplement. Glucosamine is extracted from crab, lobster, and shrimp shells. Chondroitin is best extracted from shark cartilage. Research has shown that people with mild to moderate OA who took glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate report pain relief at a level similar to that of many prescription medications. The research also indicates that these supplements appeared to slow cartilage damage progression.
The first long term study of glucosamine sulfate was presented to the American College of Rheumatology in 1999. Glucosamine halted the progression of structural joint damage and reduced symptoms among the 212 patients with knee arthritis in a placebo-controlled study lasting three years. The group of individuals who took 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate experienced no significant joint space narrowing after three years. Joint space narrowing is the main radiological marker of joint damage. The placebo group experienced continued joint space narrowing that was consistent with the normal progression of untreated arthritis. Since that landmark study, two other studies have reached the same conclusion that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are safe and effective arthritis counter measures.
The body absorbs glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate much more effectively than any other form. The current recommendation is that you take 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate and 1,200 mg of chondroitin sulfate each day. There is no better way to insure that you will be able to enjoy an active lifestyle than by using a supplement like Super Joint Guardian to maintain healthy joints.
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