What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative arthritis, is a disease of the joints that is caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of the cartilage support, due to aging and injury. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones and the joints. Osteoarthritis is a major cause of disability and is the most frequent form of musculoskeletal disorder. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting over 15 million people in the United States. Before age 45, osteoarthritis occurs more frequently in males and after age 55, it occurs more frequently in females. Osteoarthritis usually affects the hands, feet, spine and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Treatment is usually limited to short-term symptom relief with NSAIDs that have major adverse effects.

What causes osteoarthritis?

Years of wear and tear cause the cartilage between the joints to become compressed. Repetitive use inflames the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevasses. The joint space narrows, and water accumulates within the joint space. In advanced cases, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion. Loss of this protective cartilage cushion causes friction between the bones, leading to pain and limited mobility. Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowths (spurs) to form around the joints, which are very painful. Osteoarthritis occasionally can be found in multiple members of the same family, implying a heredity (genetics) basis for this condition.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis
If you are experiencing stiffness, pain, or swelling in your joints that make routine daily tasks difficult, you may have osteoarthritis. The joints most often affected by osteoarthritis include the knees, hips, back, neck, toes, and fingers. This disorder may only develop in a few joints at first. See your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms that last for more than 2 weeks:

· Pain or stiffness in or near a joint
· Bony swelling in a joint
· Crackling noises when you move a joint
· Inflammation (swelling, redness, and tenderness) in a joint

What is the usual treatment and the solution?

Usually, physicians treat osteoarthritis with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, but these have major adverse effects and might even worsen the osteoarthritic process.

The solution

Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine is a normal constituent of cartilage and synovial fluid. As a dietary supplement, it is purified and synthesized from Chitin. It is used in Europe and elsewhere to treat Osteoarthritis. In the past many studies suggested that this cartilage derivative could provide a means for cartilage repair but doubts existed whether it had the ability to absorb glucosamine. Now recent studies have demonstrated that glucosamine can be absorbed and distributed to the joints as well as demonstrating anti-inflammatory and anabolic properties.

A landmark study, released in January 2001, suggested that oral glucosamine supplements not only offer significant symptom relief, but also retards the progression of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. This is the first significant breakthrough in the treatment of Osteoarthritis. Up until now, the goal of the therapy was to control the symptoms. There were/are no drugs that have been shown to favorably modify the disease process and interfere with disease progression. This new study offers hope for millions of Americans.

The study compared disease symptoms and joint space widths in patients taking 1500 mg. of Glucosamine orally daily with patients on placebo. Those on Placebo showed a further narrowing of joint spaces, while those on Glucosamine showed no further narrowing. "Not only did patients receiving glucosamine experience significant improvement in pain and disability that was sustained for 3 years, but also those on the placebo worsened.
For the first time, we have shown that a compound may be able to at least slow down the progression of osteoarthritis," said lead investigator Jean-Yves Register, MD Ph.D., of the University of Liege in Belgium.

The researchers also found that there were no safety issues. In fact, they found that the glucosamine was safer than NSAIDs, especially for the gastrointestinal tract. Further, the authors stated that long-term (over 3 years) administration of 1500mg. of high quality glucosamine can prevent joint changes and has the potential to provide long-term benefits for people with Osteoarthris of the knee.

In one of the early double blind placebo controlled clinical studies, 80 patients found significant pain relief and improved mobility with a daily dose of 1.5 g of glucosamine for 30 days. Histological examinations in these patients revealed restoration of healthy cartilage after treatment, lending credence to the fact that glucosamine sulfate helps build cartilage tissue

Another study looked at the efficacy and safety of Glucosamine versus ibuprofen. It was found that Glucosamine was superior and more effective, with less side effects and safe for long-term use. NSAIDs are detrimental to joint health, and negatively affect other organs in the body. Glucosamine Sulfate occurs naturally in the body and has very low toxicity, which makes it suitable for long term use.

Intramuscular glucosamine sulfate was also found to be effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study. After 8 weeks the people on glucosamine saw a significant difference while the people on the placebo still had their usual symptoms. Similar studies showed improved joint function and reduced pain in the patients with glucosamine as compared to those on the placebo.

One last study compared glucosamine and ibuprofen in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. A 1.5 g oral daily dose of glucosamine for eight weeks was much more effective than the drug in reducing pain.

It is important to note that the length of time this supplement is taken and the quality of the glucosamine consumed will determine the benefits experienced.

How does it work?

Glucosamine Sulfate can halt or reverse joint degeneration because it is an essential ingredient in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans - the chemicals that form the structure of the joints, and the cartilage proteogylcans. . Glucosamine also stimulates the production of synovial fluids, hyaluronic acids, which lubricate the joints. Glucosamine can improve pain symptoms, increase mobility and help repair damaged cartilage.

Other valuable nutrients in combination with Glucosamine Sulfate

Vitamin C and Vitamin D
A study was conducted by Dr. Timothy E. McAlindon, a rheumatologist at Boston University Medical Center. He says " both of these important nutrients may stem the progress of osteoarthritis in the knee" ". The studies do not suggest that these nutrients are cures or even treatments for arthritic pain but what the researches report is that when these vitamins are consumed in above average amounts by people with early arthritic changes in their knees, the vitamins may delay or prevent the knee joints from developing the debilitating symptoms of more advanced disease.

Vitamin C is necessary to prevent the capillary walls in the joints from breaking down, causing bleeding, swelling and pain. It is critical to the synthesis of new collagen in the cartilage. Elderly people with cartilage disorders such as arthritis have been found to be deficient in vitamin C and have shown to have low levels of vitamin C in their bloods and fluids . It was also proven that people with above average intake of vitamin C have a lower risk of osteoarthritis.

Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for osteoarthritis. It was proven that supplemental vitamin D can help. Boston University researchers followed the progress of 556 elderly people with osteoarthritis. They found that osteoarthritis of the knee was three times more likely to worsen in the participants who took the average RDA of 200 units of vitamin D per day as compared with participants who averaged 386 units per day. As a result they recommended the osteoarthritis patients to supplement their diet with 400 IU of vitamin D per day.

Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid
Research suggests that people with arthritis may be partially deficient in vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid. Vitamin B5 is necessary for energy production and supports the growth of cartilage. It has been proven that people taking pantothenic acid showed significant improvement within one to two weeks.

Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is the master vitamin in processing amino acids, thus helping to support the structure and function of the muscles. Direct evidence of the value of vitamin B6 in correcting some arthritic and similar conditions comes from Doctor John M. Ellis who has been treating patients with vitamin B6 for about eight years. He found it to be particularly effective in relieving the pain, stiffness and locking of finger joints. He also said it was an effective agent for abolishing parasthesia (numbness), nocturnal paralysis of the arm, nocturnal muscle cramps and pain in the shoulders, hips and knees. The dosage he used was 50 milligrams per day. No undesirable side effects have been observed-only benefits.

Sulfur
Sulfur is necessary for the proper function of proteins. It is involved in amino acid production, forming the hair and nails, producing enzymes, hormones and immunoglobulins. It is also a component of bones, teeth, connective tissues and collagen. Sulfur is important in the treatment of arthritis. The level of cystine, (a sulfur-containing amino acid), in arthritic patients is usually much lower than normal. Other Sulfur compounds such as Chondroitin Sulfate, Colloidal Sulfur, Glutathione and MSM may also ease the pain associated with arthritis.

MSM
MSM is an organic compound used with increasing frequency to relieve the joint and bone pain of arthritis. Two well designed, albeit preliminary, studies suggest, that MSM relieves arthritis pain better than over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, etc.). MSM appears to reduce pain by inhibiting the transmission of pain messages by nerves.

A study, conducted at the UCLA School of Medicine, found that of 16 patients with degenerative arthritis, those taking MSM reported an 80 percent reduction in pain after six weeks of therapy. Only two of the patients on placebo reported any kind of pain relief, and even then relief was slight.

Numerous animal studies and anecdotal reports suggest that MSM will improve osteoarthritic conditions, including general improvement in overall joint mobility.

Glutathione
Glutathione is perhaps the body's primary antioxidant and detoxifier. Low glutathione levels are associated with the "diseases of aging" . A study of elderly people showed that 75 mg of Glutathione per day increased their T-cell count dramatically and gave them more energy. Another study found that high Glutathione levels were associated with fewer illnesses, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, a greater feeling of well-being, health maintenance and disease prevention

According to The Annals of Pharmacology, Glutathione is involved in DNA synthesis and repair, protein and prostaglandin synthesis, amino acid transport, detoxification of toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides and other carcinogens. It also enhances the immune system, and gives protection against oxidation.

Bromelain
Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory agent and for this reason is helpful in healing minor injuries, such as muscle injuries, strains, swelling and tenderness. Probably due to its anti-inflammatory action, bromelain was reported to help patients with arthritis in preliminary research. In a trial, in which bromelain was given for varying (three-week to thirteen-month) periods, 73% had good to excellent results. Although most enzymes are widely believed to absorb poorly, significant amounts of bromelain do absorb.

One double blind study compared bromelain in combination with antibiotics to a placebo with antibiotics. It was reported that reduction of symptoms was good to excellent in all of the subjects given the bromelain and antibiotics, but less than half of those only given the placebo .

Another uncontrolled clinical trial was conducted testing the effect of bromelain in 29 arthritic patients, 20 who were suffering from advanced rheumatoid arthritis and were being treated with corticosteroids. The participants were put on bromelain supplements and were observed for 13 months. Based on joint swelling and mobility 28% had excellent results, 45% had good results and 14% had fair results. The bromelain therapy had no side effects and allowed most participants to decrease their maintenance dose of steroids.

Why Maxi Joint Products?

When it comes to choosing your brand of Glucosamine and MSM, you can rely on Maxi Health to give you only the finest quality available. Maxi-Health Research® offers Glucosamine products which are certified kosher, hypoallergenic & sodium free.

For more information about our glucosamine / joint health products click below:

Maxi GS 500 - Glucosamine Sulfate - 500 mg

Maxi GS Supreme - Glucosamine Sulfate Complex

Super Glucosamine Complex -Glucosamine, MSM and Bromelain

MSM Ester C Complex - Opti MSM / Ester C Combination

*The information provided is for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.

<< Back to Articles