Osteoarthritis

Overview

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of Arthritis.  It is characterized by the degeneration, destruction and erosion of the Cartilage in the Joints and bony outgrowths at the edges of the Joints.  Articular surfaces become irregular, flattened and poorly adjusted to each other.  This causes the Joint Cavity between adjacent Bones to gradually narrow.  Eventually Bones may directly scrape against one another.  Osteoarthritis is more prevalent in weight-bearing Joints such as those of the knees, hip, ankles, elbows, wrists, spine, and shoulder.

 8% to 12% of the population of Western nations are afflicted with Osteoarthritis:

 Approximately 2% of the population of Western nations aged under 45 are afflicted with Osteoarthritis.

 Approximately 30% of the population of Western nations aged between 45 and 60 are afflicted with Osteoarthritis.

 Approximately 63% to 85% of the population of Western nations aged over 65 are afflicted with Osteoarthritis.

 Osteoarthritis occurs most commonly in people aged 40 and over.  Excessive Stress or injury can cause Osteoporosis in some people as young as 25.

 Osteoarthritis accounts for 27% of the total number of cases of Rheumatic Diseases.

 Osteoarthritis is the second leading cause of work disability.

Alkaloids

 Capsaicin (0.025% cream applied topically two to four times per day) may alleviate the Pain associated with Osteoarthritis.  ^[1]

Amino Acids

 Ethylene-Diamine-Tetra-Acetate (EDTA) - the synthetic Amino Acid used in Chelation Therapy – may help to prevent Osteoarthritis.  ^[2]

 N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) may help to prevent Osteoarthritis.  ^[3]

 Supplemental S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) may alleviate Osteoarthritis and may help to reverse Osteoarthritis:  ^[4]

 Supplemental SAMe may enhance the differentiation of Chondrocytes into Chondroblasts (and Chondrocytes).

 Supplemental SAMe may stimulate the production of Cartilage (Cartilage production is sub-optimal in Osteoarthritis patients).

 Supplemental SAMe may improve the structure and function of Cartilage in Joints affected by Osteoarthritis.

Carbohydrates

 Chondroitin Sulfate may be a useful treatment for Ostoearthritis:  ^[5]

 The CSA-C (Chondroitin 6-Sulfate) form of Chondroitin Sulfate inhibits the activity of Elastase, an enzyme that is involved in the degradation of Cartilage that occurs during the progression of Osteoarthritis.

 The CSA-A (Chondroitin 4-Sulfate) form of Chondroitin Sulfate stimulates the synthesis of endogenous Glucosamine by Chondroblasts.

 The optimal strategy for the use of Chondroitin Sulfate for the treatment of Osteoarthritis is a daily dosage of 1,200 mg of a mixture of 60% (i.e. 720 mg) CSA-A + 40% (i.e. 480 mg) of CSA-C.

        Glucosamine Sulfate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride and N-Acetyl-Glucosamine (NAG) are presently the natural “treatments of choice” for Osteoarthritis:  ^[6]

 Glucosamine is an endogenous substance that forms part of the structural backbone of the Glycosaminoglycans that are components of Cartilage - it may repair damaged Joints.

 Glucosamine Sulfate may reduce the pain and inflammation associated with Osteoarthritis.

 Beneficial results are usually apparent in Osteoarthritis patients within four weeks of first usage of Glucosamine Sulfate or Glucosamine Hydrochloride and its benefits become increasingly obvious the longer it is supplemented.

 The recommended Glucosamine Sulfate or Glucosamine Hydrochloride dosage for the alleviation/cure of Osteoarthritis is 500 - 1,000 mg three times per day (= 1,500 - 3,000 mg per day).

 The Hyaluronic Acid content of Synovial Fluid is reduced in Osteoarthritis patients (indicating that stimulating the production of additional Hyaluronic Acid in Osteoarthritis patients may be beneficial in the treatment of Osteoarthritis).  ^[7]

 Viscoat (a synthetic Pharmaceutical Drug that contains Chondroitin Sulfate and the Sodium Hyaluronate form of Hyaluronic Acid) may alleviate Osteoarthritis (by functioning as a long-lasting lubricant for the Joints).  Viscoat is only bioavailable when administered by injection. 

Electromagnetic Radiation

 Exposure to Sunlight may alleviate Osteoarthritis (by stimulating the endogenous manufacture of Vitamin D). 

Enzymes

 Supplemental Proteases may minimize the Inflammation and Pain associated with Osteoarthritis:  ^[8]

 Bromelain (especially when used in combination with other Proteases) may minimize the pain and inflammation associated with Osteoarthritis.  ^[9]

 Chymotrypsin (especially when used in combination with other Proteases) may minimize the pain and inflammation associated with Osteoarthritis.  ^[10]

 Papain (especially when used in combination with other Proteases) may minimize the pain and inflammation associated with Osteoarthritis.  ^[10]

 Trypsin (especially when used in combination with other Proteases) may minimize the pain and inflammation associated with Osteoarthritis.  ^[12]