Nutraceuticals are nutritional supplements that act as pharmaceuticals in the natural sense by promoting health of a particular organ or system.  This week we are going to learn about joint health and nutritional interventions for healthy joints.

Joint health is impacted by two major diseases the first, most common type is osteoarthritis, which is considered a degenerative process.  Some research scientists, cutting edge, I might add find that osteoarthritis is related to osteoporosis, a bone thinning disease common in both sexes as they age.  Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease which results in substantial joint destruction and is not related to the aging process.  I believe RA should be treated by establishing the cause as to what is triggering the immune system to go wild.  This week's discussion will pertain to osteoarthritis only.

Naturopathic treatment of osteoarthritis will relate to investigation of the bone, calcium, hormones, vitamin D levels and blood and liver function.  These studies will determine what natural products the person is most likely to respond to.  Many factors influence joint health: psture, body weight, activity level, bone health, heredity, diet, hydration, digestive health, and levels of toxins which create generalized inflammation.

According to a 1961 Pathology textbook changes in cartilage tissue after age 50 is primarily due to nutritional deficiency.  This still is not being practiced!!! Osteoarthritis is the number one disease of aging, experienced almost universally after age 50 although individual involvement varies greatly.  Over 5 million Americans per year are disabled by osteoarthritis, along with many others from disc disease, and other conditions.

There is substantial evidence that osteoarthritis can be reversed!!!

Most of you have heard of glucosamine and chondroitin.  I have had many patients come in complaining that it had not worked for them on their own but after me configuring a comprehensive treatment plan for them, they were pain free after 4 weeks!!!  Often people do not take the amounts needed in divided doses for three to four months.  Due to the lack of a direct blood supply to these tissues, hydration and time are critical.  It will take a period of time to see results and it is necessary to be consistent as well as patient.

Cutting edge nutrients for joint health are: niacidamide a flush free form of niacin which has been studied since the 1940's for joint mobility. In studies, this B-vitamin has been found to reduce symptons in 70% of participants.

Pantothenate: Stiffness and pain reduction resulting in suspention of pain medicines were seen in several small studies using this B-vitamin but no further research has been done despite promising results in both OA and RA patients!

Vitamin C:  a precursor for proper cartilage formation, high doses have had a major impact on studies of osteoarthritis patients.

Horsetail: a herb that is a natural source of silica which has a role in both bone and cartilage health.

Exciting new developments:

Green Lipped Mussel Extract: A righ source of Glycosaminoglycans are an integral component of all connective tissues.  A few studies have found that GAG's are helpful especially for knee arthritis.  See my product Lyprinol.

Hylauronic Acid: A natural component of synovial fluid, HA is very effective in lubricating dry joints with a lot of "cracking".

I'd like to help more people with arthritis so I'm taking 20% off all joint supplements by mentioning this weeks article.  I will be featuring free arthritis consults for people with the disorders next month on Freebie Friday.

Best of Health!

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top prices and FREE SHIPPING on hundreds of natural products from professional brands like: Metagenics, Douglas Laboratories, Pure Encapsulations, Integrative Therapeutics, Thorne Research, and Carlson Labs!

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

Professional Vitamins and Supplements

Chinese Herbs

Natural Skin Products

Arlington Heights, IL

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