Joint & Bone Health

It is estimated that there are between 37 to 50 million people in the U.S. who suffer with some degree of arthritis. The vast majority of people, of course, have osteoarthritis which is a chronic, aggressive joint disease. This disease causes cartilage and other joint tissue to deteriorate. At the same time, bone spurs (further growth on bones) begin to appear at the same joints. Cartilage begins to wear down, and slowly deteriorates until the point at which the surrounding bones begin to rub against each other. Pain and swelling often result, as well as decreased ease of mobility.

Often the most effected joints are generally the hands, fingers, hips, knees, and big toe. There are multiple factors involved in the development of osteoarthritis including obesity, heredity, prior trauma or infection, metabolic disturbances and other conditions. It is clearly an age-related disorder that is not well understood. More recent studies indicate that free radical production with oxidation may play an important role in the development of this condition.

There is no guaranteed way to avoid osteoarthritis. However, controlled weight and regular exercise may decrease its occurrence.

Treatment may include physical therapy, heat therapy, or, in severe cases, surgery to replace or repair a joint. Anti-inflammatory medication and painkillers may help ease pain associated with osteoarthritis. However, multiple studies in the medical literature indicate that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can increase the risk of peptic ulceration and renal failure several hundred percent over control groups. Every year there are thousands of people that are admitted to the hospital because of the side effects caused by these drugs. Additionally, there are studies indicating that most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications do not have a beneficial effect on repairing joint function and may actually cause progression of osteoarthritis.

Some doctors suggest avoiding meat, dairy, eggs, sugar, and processed foods as a means of treatment. Eliminating foods which contain solanine (tomatoes, white potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and other foods in the nightshade family) may also bring relief.

Since we already know that oxidation may play a significant role in the development of osteoarthritis, it would seem logical that antioxidants could have a beneficial effect on the treatment of osteoarthritis. A study from the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism (1996) reported that high intake of antioxidant micronutrients, especially vitamin C, may reduce the risk of cartilage loss and disease progression in patients with osteoarthritis. In another smaller study, it was found that treatment with vitamin E 600 mg/day had a positive analgesic effect compared to the placebo group.

In an article published in The Annals of Internal Medicine from September 1996, it was concluded that low serum levels of vitamin D appeared to be associated with an increase risk for progression of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Two more nutrients that have garnered a lot of attention the last few years have been glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. These nutrients have been used by physicians in Europe and Asia safely and successfully for more than twenty-five years. Glucosamine sulfate, consisting of a glucose and amine molecule, provides raw material for synthesis of proteoglycans to help maintain normal cartilage metabolism. There have been numerous studies looking at the benefits of glucosamine, most of which have used the sulfate form as opposed to the hydrochloride form. The typical dose for glucosamine sulfate is 1500 mg daily. In one large study from Portugal involving over 1200 patients treated with glucosamine sulfate for one or two months, 95% of patients reported sufficient or good clinical response.

Chondroitin sulfate likewise plays an important structural role in cartilage metabolism. Chondroitin sulfate appears to help by attracting fluid into the proteoglycan molecule. Several control studies carried out in Italy showed chondroitin sulfate to be superior to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

Nutrient Facts and Recommendations:

Antioxidants may slow the rate of joint deterioration in osteoarthritis patients. Vitamin E in particular has been shown to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

There appears to be a link between deficiency of Boron, which affects calcium metabolism, and arthritis. Taken daily for two months, it appears to relieve some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

The omega-3 fatty acid DHA, which is found in Fish Oil, works well as an anti-inflammatory in the treatment of arthritis.

Glucosamine Sulfate contains components that aid the repair of joint cartilage. Patients who take a supplement of 500 mg three times daily may notice that their arthritic symptoms lessen.

SAMe acts as an anti-inflammatory and pain relief agent, as well as promoting tissue healing in joints. Studies show that it can help increase the growth of healthy tissue, and that it reduces pain and swelling as well as medications such as ibuprofen.

One form of Vitamin B3, niacinamide, appears to increase joint mobility, improve muscle strength, and decrease muscle and joint fatigue in osteoarthritis patients. 250 mg taken at least four times daily appears to show results in three to four months.

Vitamin D, taken in a dose of 400 IU daily, slows the development of osteoarthritis in the knee.

Chondroitin Sulfate has been shown in meta-analysis of clinical trials to be of benefit in patients with osteoarthritis.

Herbs which act as anti-inflammatories or analgesics may also be helpful in the treatment of osteoarthritis. These include Boswellia, Cayenne, Horsetail, and White Willow. However, studies of their efficacy have not been done.