| This article on osteoarthritis is for information only. | | | | and significant decreases in glutathione compared to |
| There are many causes of joint inflammation and you | | | | the reference group of knee joints with pain or sub |
| should consult with your physician for diagnosis and | | | | acute injury but macroscopically intact cartilage. |
| treatment. | | | | Afonso and colleagues in the 2007 Journal of Joint |
| Osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease or is | | | | Bone Spine discussed the role of superoxide |
| the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis | | | | dismutase in preventing the formation of aggressive |
| occurs over time from wear and tear on the cartilage | | | | free radicals that play a role in joint inflammation. |
| (cushion) of the joints. Osteoarthritis can affect any | | | | Kalpakcioglu and colleagues in the 2008 Journal of |
| joint in your body, though it most commonly affects | | | | Clinical Rheumatology reviewed the interaction of |
| joints in your hands, hips, knees and spine. | | | | antioxidants against free radicals in patients with |
| Osteoarthritis typically affects just one joint, though in | | | | rheumatoid arthritis. There was evidence that |
| some cases, such as with finger arthritis, several joints | | | | antioxidants: glutathione reductase, catalase, glutathione |
| can be affected. | | | | peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and |
| There is no cure for osteoarthritis but osteoarthritis | | | | glucose-6-phopshate destroy these free radicals. |
| treatments can relieve pain and help you remain active. | | | | More studies are available online; search "glutathione |
| Taking steps to actively manage your osteoarthritis | | | | and osteoarthritis" in PubMed. |
| may help you gain control over your osteoarthritis pain | | | | Traditional treatment involves use of non steroidal |
| According to the Center for Disease control | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)and Tylenol to relieve |
| osteoarthritis affects 13.9% of adults aged 25 and | | | | pain and inflammation. This is certainly reasonable in the |
| older and 33.6% (12.4 million) of those 65 and older. An | | | | acute phase. Rest, bracing and crutches/walker may |
| estimated 26.9 million United States adults in 2005 up | | | | be necessary to rest the joint to allow the inflamed |
| from 21 million in 1990 (believed to be conservative | | | | tissues to heal. As the inflammation calms down begin |
| estimate). | | | | joint motion and strength exercises as soon as |
| Osteoarthritis symptoms most commonly affect the | | | | possible to prevent debilitation. |
| hands, hips, knees and spine. Unless you've been | | | | A weight loss program is critical to the long term health |
| injured or placed unusual stress on a joint, it's | | | | of your joints and your body if you are overweight. As |
| uncommon for osteoarthritis symptoms to affect your | | | | little as ten pounds can make a difference. Weight loss |
| jaw, shoulder, elbows, wrists or ankles. | | | | strategies can be found in my blog; There are many |
| It isn't clear what causes osteoarthritis in most cases. | | | | low impact activities that can help you burn calories as |
| Researchers suspect that it's a combination of factors, | | | | well. Check with your doctor before you start an |
| including being overweight, the aging process, joint | | | | exercise program. |
| injury or stress, heredity, and muscle weakness | | | | There are many glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate |
| Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and | | | | supplements on the market. The scientific literature has |
| worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of | | | | mixed reviews on their effectiveness. I tell my patients |
| osteoarthritis include: | | | | to try it for a month or two and see if it makes a |
| - Pain in a joint during or after use, or after a period of | | | | difference. |
| inactivity | | | | The scientific research showed me the importance of |
| - Tenderness in the joint when you apply light pressure | | | | antioxidants glutathione, superoxide dismutase and |
| - Stiffness in a joint, that may be most noticeable | | | | catalase in osteoarthritis. I researched products and |
| when you wake up in the morning or after a period of | | | | chose Max GXL, a glutathione accelerator and Max |
| inactivity | | | | N-fuze which contains the balance of the antioxidants. |
| - Loss of flexibility may make it difficult to use the joint | | | | It made sense to use products which worked at the |
| - Grating sensation when you use the joint | | | | cellular level to fight the free radicals that threaten our |
| - Bone spurs, which appear as hard lumps, may form | | | | bodies. |
| around the affected joint | | | | The pharmaceutical companies will not take care of |
| - Swelling in some cases | | | | you. The government will not be able to take care of |
| Regan and colleagues in the 2008 Journal of | | | | you. Why not take steps NOW to take care of |
| Osteoarthritis and Cartilage showed us that joint fluid | | | | yourself so that you can live a long, healthy AND |
| from patients with osteoarthritis was characterized by | | | | productive life? |
| significantly decreased superoxide dismutase levels | | | | I wish you health and prosperity. |