Joint health. How to rebuild/relieve pain, and live more comfortably
Supplements that show promise
Okay, any of you who regularly suffer from sore/stiff joints, or even certain dysfunctions have definitely heard of glucosamine sulfate. To start, the main attribute of glucosamine (glucose+amine. Amine means nutrient) is to help the body synthesize gucosaminoglycosides. Big nasty word, I know. To simplify this, glucosamine can help decrease the distance between the softer portion of our joints and the harder bone. That's really simplifying it. The body needs these nutrients to help form his tissue. Glucosamine is he most powerful substance for aiding this mechanism.
The accepted norm for daily dosage is 1500 mg per day, for at least 90 days. I use this supplement year round, though.
Many people will recommend gelatin and collagen proteins. While the joints are primarily built from these proteins, or need the amino acids that they're rich in, these are very poor forms of protein. In fact, gelatin has the very lowest biological value of any protein in humans. These proteins are primarily comprised of amino acids our body will easily synthesize. That said, eat Jello cuz it's wobbly and fun! Always opt for complete proteins ie: meats, eggs, fish, poultry, milk and milk products, even buckwheat for you vegans. Soy IS NOT a complete protein, nor are garbanzo beans, no matter what anyone tells you!!!!!
With that out of he way, here comes chondroitin sulfate.
Chondroitin may be made from shark, bovine (cows, ninny) cartilage, along with shellfish. That said, those with food allergies should know the source. Chondroitin is VERY expensive to manufacture, and the FDA does not test any supplements for purity or potency (Consumerlab.com does). Know your company. I prefer Now Foods for many of these supplements, but capsules ONLY from Now.
Chondroitin is absolutely indispensable in addition to glucosamine. Not only is it a synergist, but some research shows cox II inhibiting properties.
The accepted norm for daily dosage is 750 mg per day.
Some new research shows egg shell membrane to be some help, but this is very new, and I have my doubts that ANY company s really giving you the dosage that they say.
As far as pain relief, SAME can aid in replacing sulphur in joints, but more attention has been pain to a neurological mechanism. The use of SAME with any antidepressant is a contraindication, as it's mechanism is similar.
For those of you involved in any athletic endeavors, my later capsules will expound upon these ideas, rest, PROPER form, and exercises to avoid for a myriad of problems. One thing that I will say now; DO NOT work through the pain!!! Joints take FAR longer to heal than do muscles, and there are far more factors that increase the likelihood of permanent joint injury.
Fish oils
Fish oil, along with many types of nuts (peanuts and cashews aren't nuts) are a good source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. O 3-6 acids interfere with the arachidonic acid cascade. This mechanism is responsible for the production of prostaglandins, a hormone. This is the very same hormone that Tylenol was designed to block.
Prostaglandins are also primarily to blame for the soreness that we weight lifters experience after training. Micro tears happen (microtrauma) and the prostaglandins are responsible for the inflammation. They're good and bad, as there presence also aids in cellular growth.
