Osteoarthritis is perhaps the fastest growing form of arthritis in the United States. According to the Arthritis Foundation, one third of all adult Americans have x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis. Last year over 7 million visits to the doctor were osteoarthritis related which is second to cardiovascular disease in America. As we age this number is going to increase unless we take steps to stop arthritis. Over the years researchers have developed medications to help relieve pain but none have actually addressed the underlying cause of joint destruction. In this article we will take a look at the characteristics of osteoarthritis and the current treatments available. Also, we will look at natural alternatives that can help improve quality of life.

Osteoarthritis is a disorder that involves certain bones and joints in the body. A joint is where two bones are connected and made up of cartilage which is surrounded by muscles and tendons. Some joints have a limited range of motion such as a rib in the rib cage and others have a much wider range of movement like hips, knees, elbows, wrists, and thumbs. The wider ranges of motion joints are called synovial joints. (1) Synovial joints have a unique structure. The bones that are connected to synovial joints are cover in a tough fibrous tissue call cartilage. This tough cartilage tissue between the bones is called the joint capsule. The joint capsule has an inner cavity which is lined with an inner membrane called the synovial membrane. With in this membrane there is fluid called synovial fluid which is a thick, slippery fluid that fills the small places in between and around the two bones connecting. The fluid is filled with a substance that lubricates the joints and eases movement. (1,2)

This joint cartilage serves two purposes. First, it allows for a smooth surface to bear heavy weight and ease joint movement when in motion. Secondly, the joint cartilage absorbs shock and distributes the forces and mechanical stresses out to the bones connected to the joint.

Joint function is under continual mechanical stress while in motion and the joints ability to resist the stress reflects its health. If the mechanical stress becomes to much for the joint, some physical changes occur in the joint cartilage covering the bones. (1,2)

Cartilage is tough and some what elastic in nature comprised of water, collagen and complex proteins called proteoglycans. (3) When osteoarthritis has been diagnosed in a patient, the cartilage has started to weaken and become frayed. Over time the cartilage breaks down exposing the two bones of the joint. When two bones rub together all sorts of damage can happen. Bits of bone and cartilage break off and float around in the joint space. When the joint is bent, one usually experiences a gritty grinding feeling which is painful. Over time tiny bone spurs can grow into the cartilage and surrounding tissue causing a great deal of pain and decrease range of motion in the joint. As the arthritis progresses, the pain and discomfort will increase creating sleepless nights and miserable days.

Even though the exact cause of osteoarthritis is not known, researchers do know that it is not age related. Researchers have observed the disease having the same destructive changes in younger patients diagnosed which haven’t been observed in older individuals who don’t have the disease. (2,4,5) Researchers have observed that certain conditions do seem to trigger the disease or make it worse.

Families who have frequent occurrences of osteoarthritis tend to lean on the idea that it could be a genetic factor. Osteoarthritis of the hands is often seen as genetic. (2) People who are extremely active or have physically demanding jobs have a higher occurrence of developing osteoarthritis. Also, individuals who have certain bone disorders are prone to osteoarthritis as well. Individuals who are over weight are at risk. Because of the excess pounds, these individuals usually develop osteoarthritis in the knees and feet. Over weight individuals usually have denser bones which do not absorb as much shock as thinner bones might causing more damage to joint cartilage.

Currently there is no sure way to prevent osteoarthritis, but slowing the progression may help with some lifestyle changes. The arthritis foundation suggests individuals who are prone to osteoarthritis should maintain a healthy weight and loose weight if needed. They also suggest that these individuals should exercise on a regular basis as a preventative measure. (4) Consumption of Calcium and other vitamins such as vitamin A, C, D, and E can help as well. (6-8)

Treatment of osteoarthritis is usually focused around reducing or relieving the pain an individual experiences and maintain or improve the movement so to reduce any permanent disability. (2) Your Medical practitioner normally prescribes a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen which is only effective in pain management. Sadly these NSAIDs have side effects which can be serious. NSAID induced gastrointestinal complications cause more than 100,000 hospitalizations and nearly 16,500 deaths each year in the United States. Long term use of NSAIDs can cause ulcers in the stomach and intestinal tract which product heartburn and abdominal pain. NSAIDs can interfere with blood clotting and even cause kidney damage. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is some times prescribed for pain relief, but acetaminophen does not reduce inflammation and have the same side effects as NSAIDs plus in large doses can cause liver damage. (9)

Newer medications released to the public are called COX-2 inhibitors which provide pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects with out the side effects of other NSAIDs. (11,12) In some cases, COX-2 inhibitors can cause stomach damage and bleeding. (13,14) All of these medications may help with the pain but does nothing to slow down or stop the osteoarthritis. This medication has no effect on the disease itself. (10)

After reviewing all the side effects from the medications available, some believe that Glucosamine sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate are better for osteoarthritis because Glucosamine and Chondroitin actually improve synovial joint health without any life threatening side effects. (3)

Glucosamine sulfate and Chondroitin sulfate work so well as treatment for osteoarthritis that even physicians routinely recommend it. Glucosamine sulfate and Chondroitin sulfate are naturally occurring compounds found in human joints. (15,16) When consumed in the right combination can actually reverse the damage in joints affected by osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is a natural substance found in synovial fluid and is the basic building block of proteoglycans, one of the compounds in synovial cartilage. Europeans have been using Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulfate for more than 10 years to help ease joint pain. Only in the past few years have researchers from American and Europe worked together to figure out how this works. Researchers discovered that Glucosamine sulfate reduces synovial joint inflammation which explains why people feel better after taking the supplement.

Scientific studies have discovered that Glucosamine sulfate can help stimulate cartilage cell growth, inhibit proteoglycans breakdown, and rebuild the damage done by osteoarthritis. (17,18) Glucosamine Sulfate not only helps your feel better but also repairs the damage that’s all ready done. The only Glucosamine used in all the studies was Glucosamine sulfate. When the body digests Glucosamine sulfate the sulfate separates and forms a ion salt called a sulfate ion. This sulfate ion is critical for the body to synthesize proteoglycans. (17)

Researchers believe that Chondroitin sulfate works in a similar way to Glucosamine sulfate and should be consumed along with Glucosamine sulfate. Several studies investigated the action of Chondroitin sulfate and determined for best results one should take them both together. However, if your health care practitioner suggests taking only one or the other it is best that you follow your practitioners advice.

Other vitamins and minerals are beneficial to individuals suffering from osteoarthritis. Suck as, folic acid and B12 may increase joint mobility and vitamins A, C, D, and E may prevent the progression of the disease as well as prevent osteoarthritis all together. (8,19,20) Several clinical studies used the herb Boswellia serrata which help with swelling and yielded good results as well. Cayenne or capsaicin ointment can help elevate the pain associated with osteoarthritis. Cayenne pepper depletes the nerves of a neurotransmitter called substance P. This substance P transmits pain messages to the brain, so cayenne is very effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain.

Along with supplements, exercise is an important to help keeps joints mobile and healthy. For those suffering from osteoarthritis, water aerobics might be an option because it is low impact and gives one the ability to flex their joints with out applying much weight on the joints.

It is easy for those who don’t feel well to self diagnose. If you suspect that you have a joint health issue, get evaluated by a licensed health care provider before taking any steps to get better on your own. Some of these same symptoms can be related to other illnesses which require different treatment. Only a health care provider can be certain one has osteoarthritis. With proper exercise and supplements one can reduce the constant stiffness and pain associated with osteoarthritis and this can lead to a healthier pain free life. All the supplements mentioned can be found at your local or internet health food store.

References:

1. Siedel HM, Ball JW, Dains JE, Benedict GW. Classification of joints. In: Mosby’s Guide to Physical Examination. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, 1999: 695.

2. Bancroft DA, Pigg JS. Osteoarthritis syndromes. In: Porth CM. Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 1998: 1133-1138.

3. McCarty MF. Enhanced synovial production of hyaluronic acid may explain rapid clinical response to high-dose glucosamine in osteoarthritis. Medical Hypotheses 1998;50,507-510.

4. Arthritis Foundation. Osteoarthritis. Available at: www .arthritis .org/answers/diseasecenter/oa. Accessed June 26, 2001.

5. National Institutes of Health. Osteoarthritis. Available at: www .nih .gov/niams/healthinfo/osteoarthritis /osteohandout_breaks.html. Accessed July 3, 2001.

6. Tiku ML, Shah R, Allison GT. Evidence linking chondrocyte lipid peroxidation to cartilage matrix protein degradation. Possible role in cartilage aging and the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. J Biol Chem. 2000;275:20069-20076.

7. Sowers M, Lachance L. Vitamins and arthritis. The roles of vitamins A, C, D, and E. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1999;25:315-332.

8. McAlindon TE, Jacques P, Zhang Y, et al. Do antioxidant micronutrients protect against the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis? Arthritis Rheum. 1996;39:648-656.

9. Graumlich JF. Preventing gastrointestinal complications of NSAIDs. Risk factors, recent advances, and latest strategies. Postgrad Med 2001 May;109(5):117-20, 123-8. Complete article available online at: www .postgradmed .com/issues/2001/05_01/graumlich.htm.

10. Lehne RA. Acetaminophen. In: Pharmacology for Nursing Care. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders; 1998: 705-706.

11. Ballinger A, Smith G. COX-2 inhibitors vs. NSAIDs in gastrointestinal damage and prevention. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2001;2:31-40.

12. Goldstein JL, Correa P, Zhao WW, et al. Reduced incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers with celecoxib, a novel cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, compared to naproxen in patients with arthritis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001;96:1019-1027.

13. Colville-Nash PR, Gilroy DW. Potential adverse effects of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition: evidence from animal models of inflammation. BioDrugs. 2001;15:1-9.

14. Laudanno OM, Cesolari JA, Esnarriaga J, et al. Gastrointestinal damage induced by celcecoxib and rofecoxib in rats. Dig Dis Sci. 2001;46:779-784.

15. Uebelhart D, Thonar EJ, Zhang J, Williams JM. Protective effect of exogenous chondrotin 4,6-sulfate in the acute degradation of articular cartilage in the rabbit. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 1998;6:6-13.

16. Leeb BF, Schweitzer H, Montag K, Smolen JS. A meta-analysis of chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol. 2000;27:205-211.

17. Deal CL, Moskowitz RW. Nutraceuticals as therapeutic agents in osteoarthritis. The role of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and collagen hydrolysate. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1999 May;25(2): 379-95.

18. Glucosamine sulfate. Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 1999;4:193-195.

19. Adebowale AO, Cox DS, Liang Z, et al. Analysis of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate content in marketed products and the Caco-2 permeability of chondroitin sulfate raw materials. JAMA. 2000;3:37-44.

20. Crolle G. D’Este E. Glucosamine sulphate for the management of arthrosis: a controlled clinical investigation. Curr Med Res Opin. 1980;7:104-109.

Arthritis: like heart disease, diabetes and obesity, Arthritis is often a preventable disease for most people, which normally begins as a result of an unhealthy diet and lifestyle (inactivity, no regular exercise). It is estimated that up to 70 million Americans will develop Arthritis within the next 20 years, so healthier dietary habits and regular moderate exercise can play a very important preventive role.

Arthritis like many degenerative type conditions or diseases, (heart disease, diabetes) also begins for most people as a result of too much inflammation occurring in the body resulting in the wearing down of healthy cartilage in between the joints. Healthy functioning cartilage acts like a cushion in-between bone joints that allows the ends of the bones in joints to smoothly glide over the cartilage which facilitates healthy bending, flexibility and allows pain free movement and exercising of joints in the knees, feet, hip, shoulders etc. Healthy cartilage in-between the vertebrae of the spine also helps allow for more flexibility and more pain free movement involving back, neck and spine mobility.

When inflammation begins to occur within the body, especially as often happens with aging and if a body joint has been over exercised or injured then the body produces harmful cytokines that promote continue inflammation.  There are a number of ways to prevent these cytokines or inflammation markers from occurring.

1. The first obvious way to help prevent joint inflammation and pain is not to do activity which overly exercises a joint and the surrounding muscles and tendons around a joint. This is one reason why regular exercise is so beneficial because it helps a joint to function better as muscles and joints that are regularly strengthened through exercise are less likely to become injured.

2. Also, regularly exercised joints and muscles help accommodate increased circulation and  blood flow, allowing nutrients to better nourish and to be able to help ‘bath’ the cartilage in important nutrients it needs to rebuild itself and to help maintain a soft but yet firm cartilage cushion so that the joints can easily glide over.

3. Eating a healthy diet (and regular moderate exercise), is the best overall combination to prevent degenerative arthritis called, Osteoarthritis (OA) from occurring in the first place.

Too many Americans today eat a diet that is high in added sugar food products and saturated fat that helps accounts for the fact that one out of every three Americans are either overweight or obese. Being overweight and especially being obese puts enormous extra weight and pressure on weight bearing joints and contributes significantly joint and cartilage degradation and  to excess cytokines (inflammation) occurring causing much more rapid joint and cartilage damage.  Eating added Sugar food and drink products (junk food, soda and Energy type drinks) not only promotes inflammation but helps lower  and weakens the body’s immune system response by up to one-half for a period of up to 5 hours. This means that the body then lacks the natural ability for the immune system to help stop inflammation within the body. This dramatically accelerates cartilage destruction, especially over a period of time.

Cutting back or eliminating many red meats containing high amounts of saturated fats and junk food and dairy products with high amounts of saturated fats (ice cream, whole milk and 2% milk) can help eliminate many inflammation contributing saturated fats plus unhealthy weight gaining high caloric intake. Instead reduce saturated fat intake by selecting skim milk or plain low fat yogurt instead of high fat dairy products and eating more healthy types of fish (Wild Alaskan Salmon, Sardines, trout, low mercury tuna) and moderate amounts of white meat of chicken and turkey (not fried). Also, eating those daily 5 to 9 servings of fresh or frozen vegetables and whole fruits not only helps provide wonderful antioxidants and nutrients to support the immune system and reduce inflammation, but they are also low in calories and high in important fiber which helps contribute to a feeling of ‘fullness’ and eating less which makes weight loss (along with regular moderate exercise) much easier.

Nutrients & supplements that have been shown to be joint helpful: and that  ‘bath’  the cartilage with healthy nutrients and provide joints and surrounding tissues and tendons with beneficial nutrients to help prevent untimely joint deterioration are:

1. Fish Oil with Omega 3’s. Eating more healthy fish (see above) 3 or more times a week and or taking at least 3 grams of healthy fish oil capsules daily has been shown in repeat studies to help lessen inflammation and contributes to better joint mobility and has heart, mental and circulatory benefits as well.

2. Glucosamine sulfate is a nutrient component of cartilage made from the amino acid glutamine and glucose that has been shown to help provide cartilage with what it needs to help maintain and repair itself and to even help regenerate new cartilage. This is especially true as long as a person has not waited too long or has already had too much damage to the cartilage and joint areas and while there is still cartilage remaining between joints,(so that an individual joint is not already bone on bone),

3. Chondroitin  sulfate is a mucopolysaccharide bound to proteins like collagen and is located in ligaments, tendons and cartilage and helps maintain cartilage to better serve as a ‘spongy soft cushion’ for  shock absorption when pressure is applied to the joints. Chondroitin sulfate is a nutrient in many joint formulas that has been shown to work synergistically well with glucosamine sulfate to help rebuild cartilage and to help provide more flexibility and strength to joints and surrounding muscular joint tissues.

However, as a person ages the body generally needs more help fighting inflammation and requires more external nutrients from either diet or supplements as the body with time, usually stops producing or reduces production of some important joint nutrients in sufficient quantity for comfortable joint movement. Signs of Osteoarthritis may begin to appear in the late 20’s and by the time of age 60 up to one-half of American adults begin to experience joint and muscle concerns or discomfort.

4. Hyaluronic acid is another nutrient that should be included in most joint formulas, particularly as a person ages. Hyaluronic acid is required to help produce the synovial fluid in-between joints that that helps moisturize cartilage and helps joints better glide over the cartilage. Think of synovial fluid as oil being provided to a rusty or squeaky hinge that just needs that extra fluid to enable it to close effortlessly and to help the hinge do its work friction free without being worn away.

The body tends to produce less glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid as it ages which is why supplementing with these 3 nutrients and other anti-inflammatory nutrients and antioxidants can be increasingly important as a person ages.

5. MSM: is a sulfur based compound which cartilage also needs to help fight inflammation and to help prevent cartilage damage. Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM are found in many joint type formulas and these three ingredients may work for many but not people in their 30’s 40’s and maybe even 50’s. However, with time and for younger active athletes and or for adults who want maximum optimal joint health along with healthier looking skin and increased anti-aging antioxidant protection other important joint and muscle nutrients become vital.

Other anti-inflammatory nutrients & antioxidants for healthy joints:

6. Anti-inflammatory nutrients like the herb, Boswellia serrata (or its more anti-inflammatory concentrated nutritional derivative 5 LoxinR), has been shown in studies to help stop inflammation within the body and thus help prevent cartilage destruction and improve joint function.

7. Turmeric comprised of 95% curcumin extracts have also been shown to be very effective inflammation fighters. When these nutrients are used with the additional antioxidants below they can not only be effective against inflammation but may also be helpful anti-cancer type nutrients that help bolster the body’s immune system as well.

8. Pomegranate &
9. Grape Seed Extracts and
10. Quercetin also help stop inflammation naturally and are also powerful antioxidants that can dramatically help increase cellular strength and elasticity of individual cells.. This becomes especially important for people at any age who do hard physical work and orstrenuous workouts including athletes. Antioxidants are also important for people for who want their muscles, tendons and tissues surrounding joints to function and recover better after being stressed or during vigorous exercise and want to remain more youthfully active so they can age gracefully without joint discomfort and pain.

Additional helpful natural anti-inflammatories are:
11. Bromelain, an enzyme from pineapples and the enzyme
12. Papain from papaya. Bromelain, especially taken in-between meals,  has been shown in double blind clinical studies involving athletes to help promote healing of bruised or torn tissues twice as fast as those injured athletes not taking bromelain. When bromelain and papain are taken with meals they act more as protein digesting enzymes.

13. Vitamin C and
14. Citrus bioflavonoids are also very helpful antioxidant collagen rebuilders of muscle and surrounding joint tissue, including cartilage which is important for anyone concerned with healthy joints, healthy skin and healthy aging.

Last but not least several herbs such as:

15. Ginger,
16. White willow bark, and
17. Nettle leaf are also important herbs which can help naturally battle inflammation. Ginger is also an important digestive herb and can actually help calm upset stomachs and calm the digestive tract.

*The statements on this product(s) have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always read product(s) label fully before taking and get your doctor’s approval before beginning any new nutritional product.

Mainstream medicine tends to dismiss alternative remedies for arthritis in favour of drug therapy and established treatments. This article discusses some of the alternative therapies available. Do they work or not?

There are many forms of arthritis and it can affect sufferers in different ways and to greater or lesser degrees. One factor is common, however: pain – usually joint pain that can be unremitting and at times severe.

Conventional drug therapy can and does provide a great deal of relief from the joint pain associated with both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis but these drugs can also have unwanted side-effects. Too, many people are wary or uncomfortable at the idea of taking significant amounts of synthetic drugs and turn to what, for want of a better phrase, are termed ‘alternative medicines’.

These alternatives cover a whole spectrum of ingredients and regimes, from acupuncture to Yoga. Here are some details on just a few of them:

Acupuncture. This ancient practice often calls images to the mind of a person riddled with hundreds of needles like a pincushion, yet normally no more than a dozen are used at any one time. How acupuncture works to alleviate pain is not fully understood, though many theories on the subject are based on sound scientific facts.

Bee Venom Therapy. Also known as Apitherapy, BVT concerns the application of honeybee through live bee stings. It is thought that the healing potency of this method relies on the stimulation of the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands.

Cortisol is a natural human hormone that has anti-inflammatory properties and in addition jump-starts the immune system to produce a healing response. It also spurs the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller.

Magnetic Therapy. The debate about the effectiveness of magnetic therapy for the treatment of arthritic pain rages on and shows no signs of abating. There seems to be little or no scientific evidence that either confirms or denies, in an absolute sense, the effectiveness of magnetic therapy.

Magnetic therapy is not new – far from it. The Ancient Greeks knew of the lodestone and claimed it had healing properties. The Chinese have used magnetic therapies for literally thousands of years. It would seem that if the magnet is indeed of no use in pain relief it is a most enduring medical myth!

Glucosamine. This substance is found in high concentrations in the joints and the theory is that it stimulates essential cartilage formation for joint repair. It has been seen to have beneficial effects on inflammation and arthritic conditions, whilst medical studies indicate that Glucosamine is effective in relieving pain and increasing joint mobility. It is now classed as a dietary supplement.

Yoga. Although to date only a handful of scientific studies have been conducted on the benefits of Yoga to arthritis sufferers (despite any rumour or hearsay), it looks like more are either currently underway or about to begin. Existing studies do indicate an improvement of physical function and reduction in joint pain. However, the most positive aspect of Yoga therapy appears, according to the reports, to be the improvement to the quality of life of the sufferer.

So what should an arthritis sufferer do? On the one hand – accepted medical treatment. On the other – alternative treatment that may or may not be effective. It unfortunately falls to the individual to decide, though it should be remembered that a life spent in almost constant pain can cloud judgement. This author advises that before making any change, small or radical, to any medical regime, the advice of a medical professional or arthritis specialist should be sought.

Drug based medication for the treatment of Arthritis and joint pain may be a thing of the past. Natural products have been to be at least as effective as their medicinal counterparts in many cases. Read on to find out more.

Devil’s Claw is indigenous to the Kalahari Desert in Africa. The herb is now used throughout the world to treat arthritic pain and joint pain due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that the most effective components of Devil’s Claw are monoterpine, harpagoside, glycoside, beta-sitosterol, procumbine and stigmasterol.

Clinical research has shown the effectiveness of Devil’s Claw in treating joint conditions like osteoarthritis, fibrositis, rheumatic arthritis and small joint disease (Lecompte & Costa, 1992). Devil’s Claw has also been found very effective in the treatment of pain in the lower back (Chrubasik, 1996).

In a 1981 study it was found that Devil’s Claw significantly reduced the serum cholestol and uric acid levels. Devi’s Claw has also been found to be effectivein stimulating the body’s natural lymphatic node system thus enhancing its resistance against ill health.

Glucosamine is produced naturally in the body and is found in relatively high concentrations in the joints and connective tissues where its main function is to repair cartilage and maintain joint mobility. It has been shown that between 90 and 98 percent of Glucosamine Sulphate is absorbed into the body.

Because of it’s healing properties and the fact there a few reports of side effects Glucosamine has been approved for the treatment of arthritis pain and other joint and muscular pain in more than eighty countries throughout the world. Research has shown glucosamine’s ability to both decrease pain and reduce inflammation whilst also allowing an increase in the range of motion in the joints, helping to repair aging and damaged joints throughout the body.

Recent studies have indicated that glucosamine may be at least as if not more effective than the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin and ibuprofen but without the harmful side-effects connected with these medicines. Whilst NSAIDS may mask the pain of arthritis and other joint problems they can also impair the body’s ability to produce cartilage. In doing so this obviously worsens the condition in the long run and so increases the dependence on the drugs. However, glucosamine relieves both the pain and inflammation but also builds and repairs the cartilage and connective tissue, repairing the damage rather than just masking the pain.

Boswellia has been used for thousands of years as a natural anti-inflammatory. Extracts of the gum of this tree, which is mainly found in India, have long been used to relieve joint pain and inflammation. Modern scientific research has confirmed that boswellic acids contained within the herb are able to stop the formation of leukotrienes, the immune cells responsible for inflammation. With regular use blood supply to the joints is also maintained allowing for soft tissue to be nourished and viable.

Scientific research has shown that boswellia has the ability to inhibit the inflammatory mediators in the body, reducing pain and inflammation without irritating or ulcerating the lining of the stomach. Boswellia has also seen to be highly effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

To sum up then we can see that nature has given us powerful remedies for joint pain and the pain of arthritis. Glucosamine, Devil’s Claw and Boswellia, in high quality form and in the correct doses, are able to both reduce pain and inflammation within the joints without the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. There are a number of products on the market today which contain a combination of all three of these natural ingredients and which have been rigourously tested and has been proven to treat arthritis and joint pain naturally and effectively.