Arthritis

Arthritis is a broad term to describe many conditions associated with inflammation of a joint. It is often seen as a joint that is swollen, hot, painful, and/or red. Any or all of these conditions can occur and may be associated with the use of the damaged joint. Arthritis effects millions of humans and animals every day. Millions of dollars have been spent on research to determine causes and to find treatments. Some of the different types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, osteoarthrosis, gonarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These terms are used to describe different parts of the joint that are affected. The bottom line is that the effected joint is painful.

A joint can become arthritic in any of a number of ways. Joint cartilage can become damaged due to a sudden trauma (auto accident), or over an extended period of time (sports). A deficiency in minerals, such as calcium, can lead to improper cartilage formation. A nutritional deficiency of the molecules that make up cartilage can also lead to the formation of arthritis. Many individuals suffer from arthritis after a surgery to repair tendons and ligaments. Another cause of arthritis can be when a person's own immune system attacks the joints, causing the pain and inflammation. Many times, the continued pain and inflammation are due to an imbalance between the chemicals that actually make cartilage and those that that dispose of damaged cartilage. If too many of the chemicals that dispose of damaged cartilage exist, they can damage healthy cartilage. The end results are pain, swelling, heat, redness, inflammation … ARTHRITIS!

There are many drugs available to help reduce the inflammation, but very few ways have been found to actually treat the cause of arthritis. Many times, an individual becomes worse while on anti-inflammatory drugs because they are able to use the joint as though nothing is wrong, when, in fact, the body has been telling the person, through the pain, that something is very wrong.

We should approach treating the cause of arthritis rather than the symptoms. This approach hinges on giving the body the proper nutrients needed to build and maintain healthy cartilage. Some of the nutrients that are identified in the actual reversal of arthritic conditions are glucosamine, manganese, vitamin D and calcium. Other often-overlooked nutrients are important antioxidants that are effective in helping prevent damage to the cartilage, which can eventually lead to arthritis. Essential fatty acids are known to help lessen the chemicals that are involved in the inflammatory process.

As always, an individual who picks and chooses individual nutrients to supplement is in danger of incomplete supplementation. Supplementation should always occur at a level that provides the body with everything it needs and in the correct form so that what the body does not require is harmlessly excreted. Supplementing by this method can correct deficiencies even if they are not evident. Often, deficiencies are not seen for years. A choice from our Complete Formula™ series is always the starting point for broad-spectrum nutritional supplementation. The directed supplements that are useful in the strengthening of cartilage and connective tissues are Arthrosamine™ and Mag-Cal Plus™. Arthrosamine™ is a combination of glucosamine, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), and ascorbate. These ingredients are the basic building blocks of connective tissue. Mag-Cal Plus™ supplies extra calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and boron for joint and bone strength.

Taking marine fish oil soft gels, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, or high lignin flax oil in the liquid form can supplement essential fatty acids, which are needed to maintain good health.

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