"My aching back!"

"Oy!"

"It hurts when I do this, Doctor."

Have you said any of these things? Do your knees hurt or other joints ache?

This month, we're going to talk about joint pain and glucosamine. Glucosamine is the key ingredient in Joint Support, and may offer great relief for you if you suffer from joint pain.

Let's Talk About Glucosamine

Arthritis is a general term that describes inflammation in joints. Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It is associated with a breakdown of cartilage in joints and commonly occurs in the hips, knees and spine. It also often affects the finger joints, the joint at the base of the thumb, and the joint at the base of the big toe.

Common treatment methods don't change the progression of osteoarthritis. However, two nutritional supplements -- glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates -- are being studied to determine if they can relieve pain or perhaps slow the breakdown of cartilage, which is a significant part of osteoarthritis.

What are glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate?

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are components of normal cartilage. These nutritional supplements are available in pharmacies and health food stores without a prescription. They are the building blocks for proteoglycans and appear to stimulate chondrocytes to make new collagen and proteoglycans . The supplements are well-tolerated and safe.

Because these supplements stimulate the production of new cartilage components, it is thought that the supplements may be able to help the body repair damaged cartilage. However, much of the research on glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate has been done in vitro (in test tubes outside the body) and in animals. To date, there has not been any convincing proof in humans that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates can help rebuild cartilage or prevent damage to cartilage .

How can glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates help osteoarthritis?

Although it has not been proved that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates rebuild cartilage , there is evidence from a small number of patients that these compounds can reduce pain from osteoarthritis, usually within several weeks to months after initiating therapy. An increasing number of osteoarthritis patients are trying glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates.

The safety and long-term effectiveness of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate on osteoarthritis needs to be confirmed by larger studies.

The supplements are marketed under different names, with different strengths and levels of purity. Unfortunately at this time, there is no government monitoring to ensure the purity of these products.

How about MSM?

Close to 2.5 million people have rheumatoid arthritis, a disease characterized by the inflammation of the membrane lining the joint, which causes pain, warmth, redness, and swelling. The latest supplement du jour, MSM, or methyl sulfonylmethane, is said to help a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, allergies, and even snoring.

Discovered in the early 1980s by Stanley W. Jacob, MD, and Robert Herschler, MD, of the department of surgery at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, MSM is an odorless and tasteless natural sulfur compound found in all living things. Sulfur is needed by the body for healthy connective tissue and joint function and has purported pain-quashing and anti-inflammatory properties. While MSM is found in many foods, including meat, fish, certain fruit, vegetables, and grains, it is destroyed when foods are processed.

Some research has suggested that a minimum concentration of MSM is required in the body to maintain normal function and structure. Scientists do not yet know the exact functions of MSM in the body. Assertions being made regarding MSM as a treatment for an array of illnesses, including arthritis, have not been substantiated with clinical research.

There are no recommended dietary intake levels established for sulfur. Most Western diets are high in protein so it is unlikely that a deficiency of sulfur exists in the diet of most people.

What about Joint Support?

Joint Support is a proprietary formula of Herbalife. It contains:

Glucosamine Sulfate
Potassium Salt
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Dried Boswellia Extract
Enzyme HL2-491
Peptizyme SP (Endopeptidase)
Bromelain (fruit)
Dried Turmeric Extract (root)
Bioperine®
(Dried Black Pepper Extract) (fruit)

Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose, Stearic Acid,
Croscarmellose Sodium, Soy Lecithin, Silicon Dioxide, Carboxymethylcellulose, Dextrose, Maltodextrin,
Magnesium Stearate and Sodium Citrate.

As you can see, the key ingredient in Joint Support is glucosamine sulfate. But let's not overlook the combination of MSM with glucosamine. While researchers and scientists have not yet reached conclusions or agreement, there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence to suggest that taking one or more of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM provides joint relief on an ongoing basis. There are numerous products on the market that provide these supplements, either individually or in various combinations.

Joint Support, being a product of the Herbalife research and medical teams, combines two of these key supplements with additional herbs in order to produce a product that stands out in a crowded market. For details on Joint Support, view the fact sheet.

What is cartilage?
Cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers the ends of bones in normal joints. Its main function is to reduce friction in the joints and serve as a "shock absorber". The shock-absorbing quality of normal cartilage comes from its ability to change shape when compressed.

Cartilage can change shape because it contains more than 70 percent water, which can be redistributed with movement. For example, when force is applied to a knee, as in standing or walking, some water from cartilage enters the joint and coats the cartilage. When the force is no longer present, such as when you sit down, the water is reabsorbed and the cartilage regains its normal shape. Because cartilage does not contain nerves, you do not feel pain when these changes in shape occur.

Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in a joint to become stiff and lose its elasticity, making it more susceptible to damage. Over time, the cartilage may wear away in some areas, greatly decreasing its ability to act as a shock-absorber. As the cartilage wears away, tendons and ligaments stretch, causing pain. If the condition worsens, the bones could rub against each other.

Cartilage is made up of four substances: collagen, proteoglycans, water and chondrocytes.

Collagen:
In addition to being a key component of cartilage, the protein collagen also is found in the skin and tendons. Collagen provides cartilage with its strength, and creates a framework that houses the other components of cartilage.

Proteoglycans:
This substance is a combination of protein and sugar. Proteoglycans are woven around and through collagen, allowing cartilage to change shape when compressed. Proteoglycans trap water in cartilage, which is redistributed with movement.

Water:
Healthy cartilage contains more than 70 percent water. In addition to functioning as the shock absorber in cartilage, it lubricates and nourishes the cartilage.

Chondrocytes:
These cells produce new collagen and proteoglycans in cartilage. Chondrocytes also release enzymes which help break down and dispose of aging collagen and proteoglycans.

With that, let me wish you a happy, healthy, and successful month,