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Osteoarthritis is an ailment of the joints that’s extremely debilitating for many, especially the elderly and even ex sport athletes. It can happen that in excessive joint straining competitive sports, the wear and tear adds up to result in severe damage that is harder to repair. You may not give two hoots, but imagine not being able to hold a pen or walk without pain and be anguished in restriction.  Attacks of arthritis spring up states of despair with depression and threats of surgery. Medication seems mandatory but in some cases careful dietary manipulation and supplement use can elevate symptoms tremendously. One of the most useful natural supplements on the market for osteoarthritis is glucosamine sulphate (or similar compounds). A combination of protein and carbohydrate segments is key to joint health. We obtain our protein and carbohydrate everyday in foods and one may ask so what’s the problem, since we are what we eat. If there has been excessive damage via sport (physical strain) the joints may be weak and through an unhealthy lifestyle the body is unable to metabolise as efficiently as it should. We drop off ‘wastes’ and possibly calcium deposits in joints when we metabolise badly. Basically the word ‘metabolise’ implies the processing of nutrients. We eat the carbohydrates and protein, the body breaks them down to smaller substances. These smaller components are used to make energy and build up specific substances to be part of the body. One such substance is chrondoitin sulphate, a structural component of joints, made from protein and carbohydrate. To build it up the body needs to be metabolising well, a supplement can begin to take effect as it feeds in the key ingredients. Numerous medical research studies have shown the advantage of glucosamine sulphate or similar compounds for arthritis. Unlike non-steroid  anti-inflammatories, they will not predispose one to ulcers. Non-steroid anti-inflammatories are commonly employed for pain relief. There is more to the supplements as they can come in various forms that are to various degrees proven to be helpful. Providing certain additional support to help metabolise/process glucosamine sulphate or other similar forms is a boon. To do this we can feed the body specific nutrients (vitamin and mineral supplements) that have a dedicated role, as shown by research, in joint manufacture. Other actions and choices all bear weight on the guidelines for inflamed joints. Following an anti-inflammatory focused dietary regime helps, by selecting and leaving out specific foods, to reduce the pain. Avoid strain on major joints by weighing in within your BMI (body mass index). The BMI is determined by taking weight and height into account to determine if you’re under or over weight or within healthy medium boundaries. The joints are structural parts between our bones that keep us flexible! In osteoarthritis there is usually pain, stiffness and swelling (inflammation) with an impact negatively on enjoyment on life. In osteoarthritis the ends of bones become damaged by not having the soft, strong, durable and flexible cushion of the joint lining. Certain exercises can cause strain to the joints and it’s worth avoiding those but rather fitting in the supportive exercises and lifestyle programme when one has weak joints. Anastacia Sampson D.N. Med |