THE DRINK THAT TARGETS PAIN By Dr. Greg Grant (March 2002)
Pain can be difficult to deal with. Most doctors will offer anti-inflammatories and pain killers. For many people these are not a life long option
Arthritic pain is one of the most common. There are two types – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The latter is a devastating disease whereby the body’s immune system attacks the cartilage that lines our joints.
However the most prevalent form of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis, the “wear and tear” arthritis.
More that 70 percent of the population 65 years or older show evidence of this disease. The end result is pain and limited mobility of our joints. Despite its high prevalence, the cause is not completely understood. What we do know is this: our joints are lined with particular cartilage, which, along with joint fluid, allows the joints to move with very little friction. Cartilage is made up largely of collagen, glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. Pretty long fancy words right?
The last one, proteoglycans, is the one we are concerned about. Osteoarthritis is due essentially to an imbalance between the production and breakdown of proteoglycans. The end result is cartilage that is “brittle” and unable to withstand the stresses involved when we move our joints.
Instead of there being little friction, there is now a lot of friction. Unfortunately the process is a vicious cycle that continues to get worse. Until just a few years ago, the mainstay of treatment focused only on alleviating the symptoms such as pain. But now a new treatment is receiving much attention, both in the medical community and the public.
These new therapeutic agents, termed chondroprotecive agents, focus on slowing the breakdown of cartilage and promoting the production of healthy cartilage. What are they?
Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate. Glucosamine is a precursor building block of proteoglycan and chondroitin sulphate makes up the majority of the cosaminoglycans.
Both have been shown to inhibit specific enzymes responsible for the breakdown of cartilage and stimulates synthesis of new cartilage.
There is also some evidence that they have a direct mechanism of action in alleviating pain. Both should be taken together as they have been shown to have additive effect when combined. The majority of my patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona are severely affected by osteoarthritis.
I began recommending these two agents to my patients as the medical community was just learning of their existence. Back then they weren’t available in one pill and were also rather costly. But the results were unbelievable. Patients that I had scheduled for knee replacement surgery were calling and cancelling!
Forever Living Products have added these products to their Aloe Vera Gel and justifiably called it Forever Freedom, it all makes perfect sense. We all know how successful Aloe Vera is in relieving the pain associated with arthritis – even the rheumatoid type.
A recent study showed not only the additive effects of taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate together, but that the mineral manganese is required. And guess what? Aloe Vera has naturally occurring manganese. Forever Living has also added MSM and vitamin C.
Methyl sulfonyl methane or MSM has been sparking considerable interest in the medical community due mainly to its potent anti-inflammatory effects. Vitamin C functions as a co-factor in the synthesis of cartilage and is a powerful antioxidant.
And what is that you say? The many bio-chemical reactions that take place in our body, basically our metabolism generate nasty things called free radicals. These free radicals, if not neutralised by antioxidants, attack the cells in our body causing considerable damage. This includes cartilage!
Lastly, by combining all of these agents in Aloe Vera gel, a liquid, the rate and amount of absorption from the intestinal tract is far greater than when in capsule form.
Short of saying this is the “cure all”, I personally feel this offers the most comprehensive approach in the management of osteoarthritis currently available.
FACT: The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin in a 5:4 ratio has been significantly more effective than either glucosamine or chondroitim alone.
Dr. Greg Grant is a physician based in Arizona
Arthritic pain is one of the most common. There are two types – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The latter is a devastating disease whereby the body’s immune system attacks the cartilage that lines our joints.
However the most prevalent form of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis, the “wear and tear” arthritis.
More that 70 percent of the population 65 years or older show evidence of this disease. The end result is pain and limited mobility of our joints. Despite its high prevalence, the cause is not completely understood. What we do know is this: our joints are lined with particular cartilage, which, along with joint fluid, allows the joints to move with very little friction. Cartilage is made up largely of collagen, glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. Pretty long fancy words right?
The last one, proteoglycans, is the one we are concerned about. Osteoarthritis is due essentially to an imbalance between the production and breakdown of proteoglycans. The end result is cartilage that is “brittle” and unable to withstand the stresses involved when we move our joints.
Instead of there being little friction, there is now a lot of friction. Unfortunately the process is a vicious cycle that continues to get worse. Until just a few years ago, the mainstay of treatment focused only on alleviating the symptoms such as pain. But now a new treatment is receiving much attention, both in the medical community and the public.
These new therapeutic agents, termed chondroprotecive agents, focus on slowing the breakdown of cartilage and promoting the production of healthy cartilage. What are they?
Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate. Glucosamine is a precursor building block of proteoglycan and chondroitin sulphate makes up the majority of the cosaminoglycans.
Both have been shown to inhibit specific enzymes responsible for the breakdown of cartilage and stimulates synthesis of new cartilage.
There is also some evidence that they have a direct mechanism of action in alleviating pain. Both should be taken together as they have been shown to have additive effect when combined. The majority of my patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona are severely affected by osteoarthritis.
I began recommending these two agents to my patients as the medical community was just learning of their existence. Back then they weren’t available in one pill and were also rather costly. But the results were unbelievable. Patients that I had scheduled for knee replacement surgery were calling and cancelling!
Forever Living Products have added these products to their Aloe Vera Gel and justifiably called it Forever Freedom, it all makes perfect sense. We all know how successful Aloe Vera is in relieving the pain associated with arthritis – even the rheumatoid type.
A recent study showed not only the additive effects of taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate together, but that the mineral manganese is required. And guess what? Aloe Vera has naturally occurring manganese. Forever Living has also added MSM and vitamin C.
Methyl sulfonyl methane or MSM has been sparking considerable interest in the medical community due mainly to its potent anti-inflammatory effects. Vitamin C functions as a co-factor in the synthesis of cartilage and is a powerful antioxidant.
And what is that you say? The many bio-chemical reactions that take place in our body, basically our metabolism generate nasty things called free radicals. These free radicals, if not neutralised by antioxidants, attack the cells in our body causing considerable damage. This includes cartilage!
Lastly, by combining all of these agents in Aloe Vera gel, a liquid, the rate and amount of absorption from the intestinal tract is far greater than when in capsule form.
Short of saying this is the “cure all”, I personally feel this offers the most comprehensive approach in the management of osteoarthritis currently available.
FACT: The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin in a 5:4 ratio has been significantly more effective than either glucosamine or chondroitim alone.
Dr. Greg Grant is a physician based in Arizona
Forever Freedom for proper joint function
By now you probably know that many people who want to maintain healthy joint function and mobility need to make sure they consume proper and natural nutrition. Many have found Forever Freedom by Forever Living Products (FLP) a practical and nutritious way to defend against the signs of aging, joint wear and other soft tissue problems.
Forever Freedom® has combined aloe vera with substances that are helpful for the maintenance of proper joint function and mobility in a tasty, orange-flavored juice formula.
We’ve taken Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate – two naturally occurring elements that have been shown to help maintain healthy joint function and mobility – and married them with our stabilized aloe vera gel. To this, we’ve added vitamin C and MSM, a primary source of bio-available sulfur the body needs to maintain healthy connective tissues and joint function.
Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate are natural substances that help maintain the structure and health of cartilage, keeping this natural “shock absorber” well hydrated. They also help keep the lubricating fluid within the joint at the necessary viscosity to allow one surface to glide freely over another. As the body ages, it is less able to produce these natural elements of healthy cartilage which can then lead to “wear and tear” on the joints.
Forever Freedom provides the usually recommended amounts of Glucosamine Sulfate (1500mg), Chondroitin Sulfate (1200mg), plus 750mg of MSM and 250mg of vitamin C per 4 oz serving. When combined, Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate,Vitamin C and MSM provide the first line of support for healthy joint function. Make Forever Freedom a practical and nutritious way to start your day! As with other FLP products, these nutrients are sourced naturally and are considered to be exceptionally safe. Make Forever Freedom a practical and nutritious way to start your day!
Forever Freedom® has combined aloe vera with substances that are helpful for the maintenance of proper joint function and mobility in a tasty, orange-flavored juice formula.
We’ve taken Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate – two naturally occurring elements that have been shown to help maintain healthy joint function and mobility – and married them with our stabilized aloe vera gel. To this, we’ve added vitamin C and MSM, a primary source of bio-available sulfur the body needs to maintain healthy connective tissues and joint function.
Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate are natural substances that help maintain the structure and health of cartilage, keeping this natural “shock absorber” well hydrated. They also help keep the lubricating fluid within the joint at the necessary viscosity to allow one surface to glide freely over another. As the body ages, it is less able to produce these natural elements of healthy cartilage which can then lead to “wear and tear” on the joints.
Forever Freedom provides the usually recommended amounts of Glucosamine Sulfate (1500mg), Chondroitin Sulfate (1200mg), plus 750mg of MSM and 250mg of vitamin C per 4 oz serving. When combined, Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate,Vitamin C and MSM provide the first line of support for healthy joint function. Make Forever Freedom a practical and nutritious way to start your day! As with other FLP products, these nutrients are sourced naturally and are considered to be exceptionally safe. Make Forever Freedom a practical and nutritious way to start your day!
