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PAIN RELIEF: NATURAL VS. DRUGS It is epidemically a sad reality for 22 million Americans to suffer daily with joint disorders. Dr. Luke Bucci, author of "Pain Free", claims it is the number one medical problem in the world. The word "arthritis" refers to more than 190 rheumatic diseases. Has tradition drugs won the war against this crippling disorder? And, yes this is hope for pain suffers with natural, effective, safe, supplements. Let's compare both treatments. Although no one treatment (drug, supplement) may not alleviate all cases of joint disorders and we must remember that a healthy lifestyle is the best defense (including a fitness program) against any degenerative or deterioration condition. But there is hope and RESULTS from two distinct supplements called GLUCOSAMINE and CHOND-ROITIN. In osteoarthritis, the case of progressive deterioration of cartilage glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), factors needed to send nutrients to joint tissue, also involved in the production of connective tissue, can be devastating. In rheumatoid arthritis, it develops slowly but, suddenly can stopped mobility with chronic inflammation, which will result in the death of joint surfaces. There are anti-arthritis therapies. The most common approach is anti-inflammatory drugs, a popular medication called NASAID, which is a non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drug/s. Worldwide 30 million people spend $2 billion annually on NSAID (Wallace, ND, DC, Energy Times, Feb., 1998). Other drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, just to mention a few. Are these drugs safe and do they have any rehabilitation effect? A recent national study
at Stanford found that more than 100,000 people are hospitalized each year for gastro-intestinal bleeding after consuming NSAIDS. Also, cited in the "Annals of Internal
Medicine", stated that people who used NSAIDs are three times more likely to have
serious gastrointestinal disturbances than non-users. For older users this risk increases There's more for the trade off, of pain killing. A 1994 study in the "New England Journal Of Medicine," a highly respected source among medical peers, wrote that taking more than 1,000 NSAID pills in one's lifetime, (which can be equated as 10 pills a week for 10 years) can sharply increase your risk for kidney failure. We all know that kidney failure can be fatal. Also, taking 1,000 acetaminophen pills can have an accrued effect on kidney failure (Wallace, ND, DC, Energy Times, Feb., 1998). With the risk of kidney malfunction and gastrointestinal distress, which includes internal bleeding, is it a good option for pain suffers? That of course, is a personal decision. But what about regeneration of the body, which would address the root cause of the pain? To regenerate we would produce a "better state!" Reported by Doctor Michael Murray N. D. , stated in the "American Journal Of Natural Medicine", "standard drug therapy suppresses pain and inflammation,...[it] actually promotes PRO- GRESSION OF THE DISEASE by inhibiting GAG synthesis and cartilage repair. In contrast, glucoasime sulfate has been shown to be an effective treatment for osteo-arthritis by providing the rate limiting step in GAG synthesis and protecting against cartilage destruction." Do your joints need dietary support or drug prescriptions ? Glucosamine in a true sense an amino-sugar. Amino sugars are compounds of carbohy-drates that play an active role in the structure of body tissue, instead of being used for energy metabolism, like other carbohydrates are, this amino-sugar has a different job. It is a natural substance made from the body's ultra fuel glucose. For the formation of the nails, tendons, skin, eyes, bones, ligaments, and heart valves, glucosamine is needed. It also stimulates the cartilage cells to produce proteins, called glycosamino-glycans or proteoglycans. When glucosamine is sufficient it also binds protein in cartilage. It has be noted to stimulate the metabolism of cartilage cells, Chondrocytes. Research has shown, especially in Europe where a new-large scale clinical studies are being watched for long term effects ( Nutrition Insights, Feb. 1998, 16). Dr. Murray states that "glucosamine, "stimulates the manufacture of cartilage components (and) promotes the incorporation of sulfur into the cartilage... gluscosamine is not only responsible for stimulating the manufacture of substance necessary for proper joint function, it is also responsible for stimulating joint repair (Wallace, N. D., D. C., Energy Times, Feb., 1998, 56)." In 1994 a study of four weeks of usage of glucosaime sulfate worked better than ibuprofen. The patients on ibuprofen suffered adverse side effects, while the glucosamine sulfate takers experienced mild to trace side effects, amounting to 6% .Another study of 252 doctors and 1506 patients, glucosamine sulfate users where relieved of pain at rest, pain on standing, pain with movement. The doctor's concluded a whopping 95% of the patients were in a better state. Compared to conventional treatment like NSAIDs, glucosaime was the winner ( Wallace, N. D., D. C., Energy Times, Feb., 1998, 56). Dr. Bucci also, high-lights chondroition, as a superior nutrient in the war against arthritis. He said,"chondroitin absorbs the punishment that would otherwise afflict and inflame your joints (Fact Sheet, 700 Club, 1998)." Chondroitin sulfate also a GAG- glycosaminoglycans (substances crucial in joint nutrients, water in joints and production of connective tissue) consisting of repeated units of glucosamine plus sugar molecules, is another co-factor of rehabilitation. There has been some conversation among doctors of how well these supplements are absorbed, but the majority of users of joint supplements have been either pain-less or reduction of pain, with increased mobility. Being classified as a food supplement, not a drug the FDA has not evaluated this supplement and this information is not intended to diagnose , treat or cure, a disease. But, on the other hand, many doctors are having positive results, with reduction of pain, in some cases, pain-free, and increase mobility.
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