 What is The Arthritis Cure? |
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 Although the supplements called
glucosamine and chondroitin have received much attention in the
media, The Arthritis Cure is actually a nine-step treatment
program for osteoarthritis. The steps of the program are:
1. Have a thorough consultation
with a physician looking for and correcting secondary causes of osteoarthritis.
2. Take glucosamine and
chondroitin sulfates to repair damaged joints.
3. Improve your biomechanics
to counteract stress to your joints.
4. Exercise regularly with low impact activities that help strengthen the muscles and tissues around the joints.
5. Eat a healthful, joint-preserving
diet.
6. Maintain your ideal
body weight.
7. Fight depression.
8. Use traditional medicine
as necessary.
9. Maintain a positive
attitude.
Each of the nine points
is vital to the program. I urge you to follow the entire program,
beginning with a trip to your physician for an accurate diagnosis.
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| What does glucosamine do? |
Made up of sugar (glucose) and an amino acid,
glucosamine is needed for the body to manufacture the proteoglycans
that help to keep the cartilage functional. Glucosamine also helps
to reduce pain and improve joint function in those afflicted with
osteoarthritis.
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| What is chondroitin sulfate? |
Chondroitin sulfates are long chains composed
of sugar units which help attract and hold fluid into the proteoglycans.
Chondroitin sulfate supplements help inhibit the cartilage-destroying
enzymes in joints affected by OA; have anti-inflammatory properties; and help slow the loss of cartilage that occurs over time in osteoarthritis. the quality of chondroitin sulfate products on the market varies tremendously with purity values ranging from 30% to 95%. chondroitin supplements usually come from cartilage obtained from cows, pigs, birds and fish. the most effective chondroitin is high grade material that comes from cows or pigs. Bird origin (also called avian) appears to be inactive.
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| What is biomechanics? |
Biomechanics is the study of the mechanical
forces exerted by and upon the body during movement. More practically
speaking, biomechanics training teaches us ways of standing, sitting,
walking, kneeling, lifting and otherwise moving through the day without
placing undue stress upon our bodies. Biomechanical techniques and
exercises can help reduce osteoarthritis pain by allowing the force
from movement to dissipate evenly through the body.
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| How does exercise help osteoarthritis?
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Exercises encourages the flow of cushioning
and nourishing fluid into the cartilage, it strengthen the muscles,
tendons and ligaments which support the joints, increases a joint's
range of motion, improves flexibility and strengthens overall health.
Exercise is an excellent "medicine" for osteoarthritis.
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| Why is a good diet important for fighting
osteoarthritis? |
A healthful diet supplies plenty of the many
nutrients the body needs to maintain healthy joints. It helps with
weight control and can also counteract some of the deleterious effects
of medications.
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| How does losing weight help? |
Excess weight means more stress on the osteoarthritic
joints of the feet, ankles, knees, hips and spine. Sliming down to
your idea body weight removes that unnecessary, painful load. In addition
to weighing down already damaged joints, weight gain and obesity have
been linked to the development of osteoarthritis of the knee. Staying
slim therefore may help to prevent osteoarthritis of the knee (and
possibly other joints) from developing, and will help to ease the
burden should it strike. There may be some circulating metabolic factor
in obese people that leads to arthritis as well.
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| How are depression and osteoarthritis
linked? |
Depression does not cause osteoarthritis, but
it makes everything - pain, lack of mobility, having to give up various
activities - seem much worse. In fact, many people develop a chronic
pain syndrome in which their pain/disability is made worse by their
depression, their depression grows deeper as their pain/disability
continues, and they continue spiraling downward. Lifting depression,
should it exist, is an important part of the treatment.
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| If the arthritis cure is so good, why advise
us to use traditional medicines as necessary? |
Although many people respond to glucosamine,
chondroitin sulfates and the rest of the program fairy quickly, some
cases are stubborn, and take a long time to respond. Some people have
had their joints deteriorate for decades before this treatment program
was even invented. Traditional treatments, including medications and
surgery may be necessary, especially those who have little or no cartilage
left. Remember, despite the wonders of the treatment program in The
Arthritis Cure, no one treatment program for any disease works on
everyone. Even if a surgical procedure is required, using the principles
in The Arthritis Cure will be an important adjunct in treatment.
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| Can the arthritis cure work without glucosamine
and chondroitin? |
For some people, simply utilizing the other
steps and principles in The Arthritis Cure will significantly improve
their condition. Without the benefit of the combination of glucosamine
and chondroitin, however, the benefit of cartilage matrix healing
will not be achieved.
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| If the arthritis cure details out the entire
program, why must see a doctor? |
It's absolutely vital that you begin by seeing
a medical doctor to make the proper diagnosis. Other conditions can
mimic the symptoms of osteoarthritis and may need very different treatment.
Your physician can also monitor your progress, refer you to an appropriate
resource such as physical therapist, registered dietitian and others,
and can administer other therapies as appropriate. Finally, your physician
can watch out for treatment reactions and interactions to assist you
as you work through the program.
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| Is the arthritis cure a treatment for rheumatoid
or other forms of arthritis? |
Although some preliminary evidence suggests
that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may be of value in treating
rheumatoid arthritis, it's too early to say if the two supplements
will become mainstream therapy in combating forms of arthritis other
than osteoarthritis. Nevertheless, many people, including physicians
are using this program, at least in part or as an adjunct, in treating
most other forms of arthritis.
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| Is the arthritis cure a treatment for disc
disease in the spinal disk or meniscus cartilage injuries in the knee?
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There has been some experimental evidence that
glucosamine and chondroitin have a role in the healing of these cartilaginous
tissues. Since the supplements do have anti-inflammatory properties, and can block some of the deleterious enzymes that are produced from injuries to these tissues, taking glucosamine and chondroitin makes theoretical
sense. One should not expect too much effect, however,
since the self-repair mechanisms for these types of cartilage is low.
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