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Age Related Disorders and Glucosamine

As the body ages, the cartilage supporting and cushioning all the joints tends to wear down. Glucosamine may help to postpone this process by giving cartilage a boost, protecting and strengthening it overall. The complications of osteoarthritis and similar, largely age-related, disorders are therefore also less likely to occur.

What is Glucosamine?

Glucosamine is a sugar produced in the body, it is present in most human tissues and is highly concentrated in the cartilage and other connective tissues. These sugars absorb water and provide lubrication and shock absorption for the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the joints. When people age or get arthritis, glucosamine and other sugars decline in concentration and lose some of their ability to absorb water. Glucosamine products, such as those promoted through Tower Health, provide this essential sugar, which has shown in double blind placebo trials to be taken up in the cartilage to ease the pain from arthritis as effectively as ibuprofen. Tests have shown that when taken as a dietary supplement , glucosamine helps to relieve the pain, stiffness, and swelling of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis etc. Sufferers also report improvement with other types of joint injuries.

Some 70 countries around the world sanction glucosamine as a treatment for individuals with mild to moderately severe osteoarthritis. At Tower Health our products such as Nutriplex and our Gluco Aktiv Gel contain, in varying amounts, glucosamine in supplement form. You have to bear in mind that glucosamine is only found in small amounts in food and there is no readily available source of glucosamine, although the shells of crabs, shrimp and oysters contain it but these shells are not typically consumed. Several supplement forms have become available and some arthritis sufferers have experienced an improved range of movement after taking glucosamine, others have reported increased overall mobility.

At Tower Health we receive, unsolicited, many letters extolling the virtues of our glucosamine and pain relief products such as customer “Mrs M” who lives in the Bournemouth area, who wrote in praise of glucosamine and our PainGone pen, used daily, after her knee had completely collapsed leaving her in constant pain:-

“…within a couple of weeks all the pain had completely disappeared. I am 84, able to play 2 rounds of golf each week and go ballroom dancing 3 nights weekly – all pain free. Thank goodness for PainGone and glucosamine and you can’t argue with success.”

Supplement forms have proved effective for treating osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis etc and several studies suggest that glucosamine may be as effective in easing arthritic pain and inflammation and not nearly as irritating to the stomach as the anti-inflammatory drugs typically recommended. A Chinese s tudy found that participants taking 1,500 mg of glucosamine daily experienced a similar reduction in pain symptoms as those given 1,200 mg daily of ibuprofen, the glucosamine group tolerated their medication much better.

Glucosamine appears to protect and strengthen the cartilage around joints, particularly in the knees, hips, spine, and hands. In so doing, it may help to prevent further joint damage. And while it can do little to actually restore cartilage that has completely worn away, or reverse joint damage that has already occurred, glucosamine appears to slow the development of mild to moderately severe osteoarthritis. Some traditional anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed for arthritis, in contrast, actually impair the body's cartilage-building capacity. In a 2001 study published in the esteemed medical journal The Lancet, Belgian investigators reported that glucosamine actually slowed the progression of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Over the course of three years, those on glucosamine showed no further joint narrowing in the knees. The glucosamine appeared to protect the shock-absorbing cartilage that cushions the bones. In contrast, the condition of the patients taking the placebo steadily worsened.

Because it helps to reinforce the cartilage around joints, glucosamine may hasten the healing of acute joint injuries, such as sprained ankles or fingers. The same is true of muscle injuries such as strains. In strengthening joints, glucosamine may also help to prevent future injury.

By helping to reinforce cartilage, glucosamine is believed to strengthen the tissue supporting the spinal disks that line the back. Back pain resulting from either muscle strain or arthritis may therefore improve with glucosamine. The supplement may also speed up the healing of strained back muscles in this way. Pain in the upper spine and neck may similarly respond to glucosamine.

Glucosamine has been studied for over 40 years. The first published study came from Germany back in 1969, with additional studies coming from Europe and Asia in the 1980’s. The objectives of the studies were to compare glucosamine to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (better known as NSAIDS), the typical medications used to relieve symptoms of Osteoarthritis (OA). There is good evidence that glucosamine reduces the symptoms of OA and possibly slows the long-term progression of the disease. In addition it is well tolerated with minimal adverse effects or drug interactions.

Picture 1 - Normal joint:
Cartilage is supple and elastic, protecting the bones.

Picture 2 - Advanced arthritis:
Cartilage is brittle and eaten away, causing bones to become deformed.

Please find below a selection of products from Tower Health’s Glucosamine range:

Gluco Aktiv Gel
This unique new improved formula contains Glucosamine, Menthol, Horse Chestnut and Arnica which help to naturally relieve the pain and discomfort of stiff and swollen muscles and joints. Massage into the affected area morning and evening and you find that it soothes and cools the skin, helps reduce swelling, increases suppleness and the smooth movement of joints. It can be used for muscular inflammation as well as temporary relief from the symptoms of Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

Gluco Aktiv Gel - Click here to purchase

Nutriplex
Nutritional powdered food supplement containing Glucosamine, MSM and Collagen to assist in the healthy function of joint and connective tissue. Use daily to reduce pain, stiffness and inflammation. Unlike many tablet supplements, Nutriplex’s unique delivery system enables the vital nutrients to be delivered direct to the blood stream and not flushed away by the body’s own waste removal system to ensure maximum effect.

Nutriplex - Click here to purchase

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