Long before the medical establishment decided to get on board, I was hearing about glucosamine from vets. It helps dogs and people with the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Since almost all dogs eventually suffer from arthritis, and larger dogs frequently suffer with a painful joint condition called hip dysplasia, the use of glucosamine sulfate is of more than just theoretical use in veterinary practice. And there are no “placebo effects” with dogs. They dont get better because they think they’re “supposed” to they either feel (and act) better or they dont.

Glucosamine is naturally synthesized in the human body and is a basic building block of connective tissue, like the cartilage in your knee for example. While we have an ample amount of the stuff when were young, as we age we lose some of it, leading to the thinning of cartilage which frequently progresses to the common condition known as osteoarthritis.

Many studies have shown that glucosamine and/or chondroitin as beneficial in helping to repair damage to the joints caused by osteoarthritis. While it cant bring cartilage back, it can prevent further loss as well as reduce symptoms of pain, swelling, and stiffness or noise in the joints.

In two independent 3-year randomized, placebo-controlled studies, glucosamine sulfate was shown to slow progression of osteoarthritis symptoms.^1-2 After 3 years, participants given the glucosamine suflate showed no joint space narrowing whatsoever. Not only that, the glucosamine sulfate group showed a significant improvement in their WOMAC index (a standardized measure of pain) while there was a trend for worsening of pain in the placebo group.

MSM (methyl-sulfonyl methane) is terrific for joint pain, largely because of its high sulfur content. (Theres a reason people all over the world flock to hot sulfur baths for pain relief!) MSM blocks the transmission of impulses in nerve fibers that carry pain signals. One pilot study showed that 3 grams of MSM significantly reduced pain and improved physical function in 50 men and women 40-76 years old with knee pain.³ Another showed that the combination of MSM with glucosamine and chondrotrin sulfate was more effective than the glucosamine/chondrotrin combo alone.⁴

Arthritis is the most common form of disability in America and the prevalence of joint pain is likely to increase as the baby boomer generation ages. Natural remedies like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM can help empower us to take charge of our health and can significantly contribute to our well-being.

Best of all they do so without any serious side effects. And thats exactly what “natural cures” should be all about!

References

1. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/162/18/2113
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15021442
3. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006 Mar;14(3):286-94. Epub 2005 Nov 23.
4. Usha, P. R. and Naidu, M. U. Clin Drug Invest 2004;24:353-363.

[Ed. note: Dr. Bowden is a nationally known expert on weight loss, nutrition and health. He's a board certified nutrition specialist with a Master's degree in psychology and the author of five books including The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. His latest book is The Most Effective Cures on Earth.For more information, click here.]

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