Helping arthritic joints – Part 1

Abundant living
with John Arts
Abundant Health

I’m often asked whether cartilage lost through osteoarthritis can regenerate through taking supplements. Maybe I can answer this with an example. Last year I received a call from a man in his late-60s with osteoarthritis in his knees. This really affected his mobility and reduced his quality of life. I put him on an anti-inflammatory eating plan and added two supplements.

The first was Omega 3 fish oil at therapeutic doses. I then added my joint formula at a double dose. This meant he was taking 1600mg of high grade chondroitin and 1600 of glucosamine with 400mg of high potency 95 per cent curcumin turmeric extract.

Within three months the swelling had gone down and the pain was abating. Now, six months later, he’s regained his mobility and can now enjoy the recreational pastimes he had previously stopped.

The evidence that cartilage damaged by arthritis can significantly regenerate is poor. There is evidence that high doses of chondroitin can help cartilage but it seems once your cartilage is lost then it is gone.

This, of course, begs the question as to why his knees improved so much. There is good evidence that high levels of chondroitin can help improve the function of whatever cartilage remains. It does this by giving the specialised cells, called chondrocytes, which maintain cartilage the raw materials to improve cartilage function.

However, most of the improvements are likely from reducing inflammation within the joint capsule. Curcumin from turmeric, chondroitin sulphate and EPA from fish oil are very anti-inflammatory. Shutting down these inflammatory processes can help reduce swelling, fluid build-up and subsequently make joints more comfortable. The best approach is to contact me for a personalised joint health programme.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@abundant.co.nz Join his all new newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

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