Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Supplements

By Amy Clark

At present, Osteoarthritis (abbreviated as OA) is a common problem that affect people in the whole world. Osteoarthritis (OA) is particularly prevalent among elderly people, and also among people who have stressed joints or knee, back, neck, and different related injuries.

Another arthritis type, Rheumatoid Arthritis (a.k.a. RA), is somewhat rare, affecting only approximately 1 percent of people worldwide. Regardless, we may have all encountered rheumatoid arthritis in one form or another.

Fortunately, a range of nutritional supplements are now available to help patients manage the painful and often debilitating symptoms of arthritis. The following are certain nutritional supplements that have been proven reliable in the treatment of arthritis:

Omega-3 fatty acids: These acids primarily work as an anti-inflammatory that can suppress RA from progressing further. Omega-3 fatty acids are also able to control the symptoms of osteoarthritis, and on occasion decrease the need for NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

EPA/DHA: Clinical research has revealed that 1,400mg of EPA per day plus 1,000 mg of DHA per day can reliably treat both osteoarthritis and rheumatic arthritis. The Super Omega-3 EPA/DHA is a particularly powerful supplement, since it includes such natural ingredients as Sesame Lignans and Olive Fruit Extract.

Curcumin: This is an anti-inflammatory based on Tumeric that suppresses certain harmful enzymes, hence alleviating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. On the other hand, several forms of Curcumin lack sufficient amounts of Piperine, a component of black pepper. Consequently, those who use Curcumin rarely obtain the appropriate level they need for an effective treatment.

This pertains to the activated form of a type of amino acid called methionine. As it functions as an activated form, SAMe is naturally transformed to cysteine in the body. Thus, it has an abundance of anti-oxidants that help fight osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as suppress harmful enzymes in the cartilage.

Chondroitin: Chondroitin sulphate, which makes up the articular cartilage, is responsible for cartilage formation. Chondroitin as a supplement has been proven effective in relieving pain and restoring mobility, ultimately treating OA. In addition, it also prevents further joint damage that results from OA.

Glucosamine: Glucosamine is a natural product that is necessary in joint cartilage formation. In osteoarthritis cases, the synthesis of glucosamine is faulty, hence hampering the growth of cartilage. For this reason, using a Glucosamine supplement will enhance joint cartilage growth. In addition, Glucosamine effectively treats RA as it serves against inflammation and protects the joints.

MSM (methyl sulfonylurea methane): The MSM molecule is present in some tissues of your body. It has a type of sulphur that functions as structural molecules. It is for this reason that MSM works well in treating osteoarthritis.

Green Tea Compounds: Green tea has been proven to be reliable in blocking some cytokines, thus fighting the progression of both RA and OA. Green tea also works to treat inflammation.

Vitamin C: Full of valuable anti-oxidants, Vitamin C fights oxidative stress and eliminates harmful radicals. Subsequently, it alleviates the symptoms of OA and RA. Since your body does not produce Vitamin C naturally, it is imperative that you get it from other sources.

Vitamin E: This vitamin is also a potent anti-oxidant that isn't only fundamental in OA and RA treatment, but also in enhancing your everyday health and general wellbeing. - 15995

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