Bettering arthritis- things that enhance the impact of healing processes 

There are a number of proven natural remedies that enhance the healing process primarily because of the nutrition content that these supplements contribute. Among these are glucosamine, chondroitin, SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine, pronounced "sami-i"), sea cucumber extracts, shark cartilage and MSM. Some recent research includes still others that may also be worthwhile. No pharmaceutical products fill this category, although as you will see later on, many drugs do promote pain control which in itself is helpful to promoting healing. Surgery concepts that encourage marrow cells to "leak" into the joint and promote population of fresh cartilage is an innovative physical intervention solution. Recent talk of stem cells to regrow cartilage is also very exciting. For the latter two, I do not qualified to giving you a view at present, for lack of experience or research material.  Most of the above, except surgery, SAMe, and stem cell work, are sketchy in their ability to promote regrowth of worn away cartilage. For many, this may not matter too much, as joints may function perfectly well with a thinner than normal layer of cartilage. The purist may argue on this point but, "perfectly well" is intended to mean without hindrance to the owners daily lifestyle. This, after all is the bench mark for most people who are reading this.

Glucosamine is a natural building block of cartilage. It is a precursor to chondroitin sulphate, which is part of the structure that acts as the "springs"of cartilage - together they build up water holding molecules -proteoglaycans.  glucosamine is one of the most widely used and best researched supplement for promoting joint health. Not having enough glucosamine in you system is one of the worst mistakes you can make for long term joint health. Whilst, it is not an anti-inflammatory, its pain alleviation is shown in many clinical trails to be as good as ibuprofen. A clinical trial reported in the medical journal, The Lancet, showed that people with knee arthritis who used glucosamine sulphate, 1500mg per day for three years, had a reduced degeneration of the joint. Effective and commonly used formulations contain chondroitin, calcium and vitamin C added to the glucosamine sulphate. Ginger and Turmeric, as we see below, are worthwhile additions.

Look out for trusted, quality sources - you get what you pay for. Often manufacturing methods, limited by price constraints, will encourage corners to be cut, and in turn, a poor product. At least in the UK, strict medicines regulations apply. In the Channel Islands, these are somewhat slacker, and further overseas, practically anything goes. My view is that it is not worth taking a chance with supplements like these, since they become effective only after the prolonged use. The upside is that you save a few pennies per weeks supply. The downside is, you may not find out that what you have been taking is ineffective rubbish, and even then until it's much too late in the day! In the meantime, a lot of deterioration and damage can have been sustained, when effective sources might have helped.

Suitable doses vary according your metabolism and weight. This is particularly so since the raw ingredient may remain active for limited periods only and the half life (as measured by its bio-availability) of glucosamine is reported to be relatively short. My recommendation is to take a "time-release" version (preferably, a glucosamine plus chondroitin, combination), where the active ingredient is slowly realised to the body over around 10 hours, yielding you the nutrients as you need them.

Another highly recommended alternative is extracts of naturally occurring glucosamnie supplies. Shark cartilage is a rich source of glucosamine in its natural setting, complete with complementing ingredients like calcium, phosphorus and collagen. This probably helps it to be one of the most effective joint health promoting ingredients. Usually derived as a by product of the food industry, the supplement is harvested from farmed and sustainable sources. Australian or Cuban varieties make the best sources.  Similarly, rather than taking the pure chondroitin, I recommend you consider sea cucumber extracts also, which are a rich source of chondroitin, in its natural setting. The extracts have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effects as good as some drug NSAIDs, but without the potent side effects. The anti-inflammatory effect is thought to be due to ingredients other than chondroitin, found in the sea cucumber, making an all round useful supplement for joint care. Sea cucumbers have used as an culinary special since old time in the Far East., and its medicinal properties have been recognised equally long.. Again, be weary of the source, there are only a dozen or so varieties that can be eaten. It would have to be a totally rogue supplier that sell a suspect source, but perhaps, more manufacturers may overlook the importance sustainable food sources.

 SAMe is a form of amino acid (methionine) that stimulates the production of joint components including chondrocyts and proteoglaycans.  In clinical trials, SAMe has been shown to as effective as naproxen, a commonly used NSAID, but without any of the side effects. In another study of 20,000 arthritis patients, around 80 percent experienced pain reduction, again with minimal side effects (mainly mild stomach upset).  One German study demonstrated through scans the improvement in cartilage as result of taking SAMe.

SAMe is naturally found in the body, but levels decline with age and illness. It is involved in a process called methylation, reported to occur a billion times a second. SAMe is good for the liver too - as the methylation process is one of the more important ones that happen in the liver. Deriving SAMe is involved (reportedly there are only two manufacturers in the world), and stability of the finished product requires technical knowhow. Look out therefore, for quality, reliable suppliers.

Now lets look at things that break the spiral of inflammation, pain and muscle wastage, more pain, more joint problems ...Read on...