Osteoarthritis Supplements

Osteoarthritis Health
Supplements
zhion@zhion.com May 21, 2006

What is Osteorithritis?
Osteoarthritis, a consequence of aging, is a chronic disease of the joints
leading to spurring of bone, pain and decreased mobility and function.
Osteoarthritis is also called degenerative joint disease.

Osteoarthritis is related to a breakdown of cartilage in joints; it commonly
occurs in the hips, knees and spine. Its main symptoms are pain and morning
stiffness, which usually worsens with exercise.

What is cartilage?
Cartilage is a firm, rubbery layer on the ends of bones in healthy joins. It
reduces friction in the joints and absorb "shock".

Cartilage contains a lot of water. When pressure is applied (e.g. standing or
walking), some water from cartilage enters the joint and coats coats the
cartilage. When the pressure is removed (e.g. sitting), the water reabsorbed
and the cartilage regains its normal shape. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage may
wear away in some areas causing bones rubbing against each other in a joint.

To function as a shock absorber, cartilage is made up of four substances"
collagen, proteoglycans, water and chondrocytes. Collagen is a macromolecule
to provide a framework to house other components inside the cartilage.
Proteoglycans contains protein and sugar. Proteoglycans are hydrophilic and
they trap water in cartilage. Chondrocytes are the cells producing new collagen
and proteglycans in cartilage. These cells also release enzymes to break down
old collagen and protesoglycans.

Precautions for people with osteoarthritis?
People with osteoarthritis are always advised to start a gentle program of
exercise to improve joint function and avoid any vigorous activities such as
soccer and basketball. It may also be helpful if they take glucosamine alone,
or a combined with chondroitin daily for pain and to protect joints. If needed,
patients are always suggested to have weight loss.

Medicines for Osteoarthritis
The common prescribed medicines used for osteoarthritis are diclofenac
(Voltaren) etodolac (Lodine), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin),
valdecoxib (Bextra) and celecoxib (Celebrex). OTC Products include
acetaminopen (Tylenol), aspirin (Bayer, Ecotrin, Bufferin), ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil) and naproxen (Aleve).

Herbs and Supplements for Osteoarthritis
The most commonly used supplements include boswellia [1], cat's claw [2],
cayenne [3,4], chondroitin sulfate [5], ginger [6], glucosamine sulfate [7], SAMe
[8, 9] and niacinamide (vitamin B3) [10-12]. Supplements that may be helpful
include cartilage [13, 14], methylsulfonylmethane [15], cetyl myristoleate [16],
collagen [17], devil's claw [18], stinging nettle [19] and guggul [20],

The recommendations above are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace
your doctor's advice. If you have any question, you should consult with your doctor.
2008 DO NOT COPY TO OTHER WEBSITES OR BLOGS

References

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2. Piscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, et al. Inflamm Res 2001;50:442Â–8.
3. McCarthy GM, McCarty DJ. J Rheumatol 1992;19:604Â–7.
4. Altman RD, Aven A, Holmburg CE, et al. Sem Arth Rheum 1994;23(Suppl 3):25Â–33.
5. Kerzberg EM, Roldan EJA, Castelli G, Huberman ED. Scand J Rheum 1987;16:377.
6. Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. Med Hypotheses 1992;39:342Â–8.
7. Houpt JB, McMillan R, Wein C, Paget-Dellio SD. J Rheumatol 1999;26:2423Â–30.
8. Schumacher HR. Am J Med 1987;83(Suppl 5A):1Â–4 [review].
9. Harmand MF, Vilamitjana J, Maloche E, et al. Am J Med 1987;83(Suppl 5A):48Â–54.
10. Kaufman W. Conn State Med J 1953;17(7):584Â–9.
11. Kaufman W. J Am Geriatr Soc 1955;11:927.
12. Hoffer A. Can Med Assoc J 1959;81:235Â–8.
13. Leeb BF, Schweitzer H, Montag K, Smolen JS. J Rheumatol 2000;27:205-11 [review].
14. McAlindon TE, LaValley MP, Gulin JP, Felson DT. JAMA 2000;283:1469-75 review].
15. Lawrence RM. Int J of Anti-Aging Med 1998;1:50.
16. Siemandi H. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients 1997;Aug/Sept:58Â–63.
17. Adam M. Therapiewoche 1991;38:2456Â–61 [in German].
18. Chantre P, Cappelaere A, Leblan D, et al. Phytomedicine 2000;7:177Â–83.
19. Randall C, Randall H, Dobbs F, et al. J R Soc Med 2000;93:305Â–9.
20. Singh BB, Mishra LC, Vinjamury SP, et al. Altern Ther Health Med 2003;9:74Â–9.