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Volume 2 - Issue 4
Arthritis in the NewsThe popular painkiller Vioxx has been linked to five cases of a nonbacterial type of meningitis, a possible side effect that, although rare, is serious, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports. Vioxx has also been shown to increase risk of heart attack and lead to ulcers. Immunex Warns of Enbrel Shortage Natural Treatments for OsteoarthritisWith recent news about even more side effects resulting from usage of Cox-2 inhibitors like Vioxx and Celebrex, and heightened concern regarding long term use of other arthritis drugs, it is crucial that you know your options and the risks. There are a number of natural alternatives available to the arthritis sufferer. While some are a waste of time and money, others look very promising and worth a try. News of natural treatments (even effective ones) will rarely come from your physician, however. This is for two reasons. One, since it is often not possible to patent many of these natural treatments, large pharmaceutical companies (like Phizer, Merck, and Pharmacia) have no incentive to finance studies or research on these treatments. Physicians often receive incentives from these pharmaceutical conglomerates to prescribe certain products. In the arthritis industry for example, doctors have been flooded with promotional materials, samples and visits from sales reps to promote both Vioxx and Celebrex. When you walk into the doctor’s office and display a little “creakiness” in your joints, he’s almost invariably going to say something like,”…Well…you’re just getting old. Let’s get some Vioxx going and see if we can’t get that pain under control.” Since glucosamine products are not typical "patent" material, no company has the financial resources (tens of millions) required to "educate" the medical community on the treatment even though it has shown to be more beneficial than Cox-2 inhibitors, is much safer, and has been proven to effectively rehabilitate cartilage (something Cox-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs do not do). As such, it can often take a number of years for news to spread on an effective treatment such as glucosamine. You may be surprised to know that glucosamine has been known to effectively allieviate arthritis pain for more than two decades, yet only now is the information truly getting out and being recognized by mainstream doctors. I hope the following review of natural treatments will show you that you do indeed have choices, and lead you in the right direction to effectively ease your arthritic pain. Nutritional Supplements Chondroitin - works synergistically with glucosamine to assist in rehabilitating the cartilage that is damaged in your body, increases the flow of fluid into your cartilage to add resiliency, and provides structure and flexibility to your joints. Boswellin - has been used for centuries in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine to maintain healthy joints. Also serves to reduce swelling and improve mobility where individuals experience stiffness in the joints. Yucca - blocks the release of toxins from the intestines that inhibit the normal function of cartilage. Yucca also has anti-inflammatory properties. Omega 3 and Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids - Act as anti-inflammatory agents Bromelain - helps to inhibit pro-inflammatory compounds which reduces pain and swelling Manganese - essential for a healthy immune system and aids in the production of mucopolysaccharides, which are critical for maintaining healthy joints Vitamin A - essential for growth and repair of body tissues and it also aids in bone formation Vitamin C - mobilizes your body's self-defense mechanisms that in turn, assist your immune system in overcoming disease. It is also a powerful antioxidant required to produce collagen, which is the main supportive protein in cartilage, tendon, and connective tissue Vitamin E - that acts to protect red blood cells and unsaturated fatty acids from oxidation damage. It also assists your body in maintaining healthy membrane tissue Note: For information on Syn-flex®, a product that contains pharmaceutical quality liquid glucosamine and all of the above ingredients, visit the website of Activex America. Alternative Treatments Acupressure - Similar to Acupuncture but without the needles. Massage is also often beneficial for sore areas. Hydrotherapy - utilizes water of all temperatures to relaxes still joints, reduces inflammation, and strengthen the joint Magnets - 1996 study in Tokyo found magnets worked just as well as acupuncture. Has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain in some users. Advertisement
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8 Tips to Control Arthritic PainThis Arthritis Course is packed with quality information on what you should know before you talk to your doctor, the arthritis diagnosis, treatment options, treatment side effects, glucosamine, tips on proper diets and exercise, weight management, alternative options, and an easy to understand explanation of what exactly arthritis is, how it occurs, and the effect on cartilage including a discussion of chondrocytes, collagen, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, and synovial fluid. If you are committed to taking the right steps towards effectively easing arthritis pain and knowing all your options, then this course will be extremely helpful to you. The course is spread out over an eight day period and a new part of the course is sent each day right to your email inbox.
Once you begin your course above, you will receive one article each day delivered right to your email inbox. The daily topics are:
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See You Next MonthThis concludes the April Issue of The Arthritis Chronicle. Look for the next issue in your inbox on May 1st! Please forward to any friends you know who have arthritis and would be interested. You have received the Arthritis Chronicle because you have subscribed to it (or it was forwarded to you by a friend). At any time, you may subscribe or unsubscribe here. Would you like to be a contributing writer?
For comments and questions relating to The Arthritis Chronicle you may email This newsletter may be republished article by article or in whole as long as credit is given to author and link is provided to http://www.arthritis-glucosamine.net/ Have a great April from the Arthritis Chronicle
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The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. (FDA)
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.