Arthritis Supplement Research

Collection of Diet Hacks!

2011-12-19T17:23:00.001-08:00

For those who're looking to get in shape, see the collection of diet and weight loss articles below:

Weight Loss Tips:

Weight Loss Supplements

Fat Burning Tips:

Holiday Weight Tips

Exercise For Weight Loss

New treatment for the common cold?

2010-12-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

Cold Virus Structure

We're in the middle of winter for those of us in northern climates which generally means that we're faced with coping with symptoms of the common cold. However, a new research study on new nasal spray containing Iota-Carrageenan may hold some promise.

To date, the common cold still lacks an effective and safe antiviral treatment. Yet, it's the most prevalent viral disease in humans.

Carrageenans are actually a family of linear polysaccharides extracted from red seaweeds.

In a study involving 35 human subjects published in the journal, Respiratory Research [1], the study authors found that Iota-Carrageenan nasal spray actually reduced symptoms of the common cold and viral load in the nasal lavages.

From the study authors:

CONCLUSIONS: Iota-Carrageenan nasal spray appears to be a promising treatment for safe and effective treatment of early symptoms of common cold. Larger trials are indicated to confirm the results.

For those looking for currently available, common cold remedies, or natural remedies for the common cold, follow the links for more info.

Reference:

Eccles R, Meier C, Jawad M, Weinmüllner R, Grassauer A, Prieschl-Grassauer E.Efficacy and safety of an antiviral Iota-Carrageenan nasal spray: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study in volunteers with early symptoms of the common cold. Respir Res. 2010 Aug 10;11:108.

How to beat the cold & flu?

2010-12-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

For many of us, suffering from the common cold is something that we're accustomed to be now. In northern climates, it's speculated that the lack of sunlight and hence lower levels of vitamin D may play a role in the increase in incidence of these infections.

As well, during the winter months, we often spend more time indoors which results in more close contact with other people which increases the chances of catching a cold. On the other hand, studies suggest that cold weather alone does not play a role in increasing our susceptibility of catching a cold.

To start off with, it's important to take basic measures such as regular hand washing, sleep, exercise, and eating fresh fruits and vegetables. As well, stress can play a role in reducing the function of your immune system, so it's a good idea to try to reduce your stress levels during the winter.

If you're already sick and suffering from the usual symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, runny nose, low-grade fever, and headache, what can you do to reduce the duration and severity of your cold?

Here's a list of 10 natural cold remedies including various important vitamins along with other herbal remedies. In addition, always remember to get your yearly flu shot!

How to Shrink an Enlarged Prostate?

2010-11-09T20:26:00.000-08:00

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia is also know as Benign Prostate Hypertrophy. Either way that you want to refer to this common medical condition, it's so common that it's basically considered a normal part of aging.

Though it maybe common, there are things that you can do to shrink your enlarged prostate. Of course, you'll want to talk to your doctor about options for prostate hypertrophy, but there are natural options that you may want to discuss with your physician.

How to shrink your enlarged prostate naturally?

To start off with, Zinc, Saw Palmetto, and lycopene are probably the three most commonly used natural remedies for an enlarged prostate.

Other dietary options include a diet low in fat and red meat with moderate alcohol consumption and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis

2010-11-08T12:03:00.000-08:00

For those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, it can be a terribly debilitating condition. In some cases, the severity of this medical condition affects some more than others.

Though there continues to be advances in the treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis, some of the mainstay treatment remains unchanged.

Here's a review of the common treatment options for those with rheumatoid arthritis:

treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis

Benefits of exercise for the elderly

2010-08-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

Many of us wonder if it's too late to start exercise in terms of experiencing actual health benefits. For those who've asked themselves this question, a recent study attempts to provide the answer. Specifically, researchers in Portugal looked as some of the health benefits of exercise in a population with an average age of 76. The study participants engaged in either a progressive strength or aerobic exercise for approximately four months.

After 16 weeks, the study researchers found improvements in their fitness, cholesterol levels, and markers of inflammation showing that it's never too late to start an exercise program. Naturally, you should talk to your doctor prior to starting an exercise regime particularly if you're in an elderly age group.

For more information visit: Benefits of exercise for the elderly

New study on Metabolic Syndrome and occupations

2010-07-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

If you're looking at one more reason to lose weight, you might need to pay more attention to your occupation. A recent study by researchers in Florida suggests that certain occupations are at greater risk for the metabolic syndrome.

To provide some background, the metabolic syndrome is considered a multiplex risk factor or basically a combination of medical disorders which increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, fatty liver, diabetes and several types of cancer.

Which occupations were at greatest risk?

food preparation and food service workers – greatest risk
farm managers, operators, and supervisors – also have the were in the highest risk category (29.6-31.1% age-adjusted prevalence)
transportation/material moving workers had significantly greater odds than executive, administrative, and managerial professionals.

The researchers hope that by identifying occupational groups at greatest risk, interventions can be targeted to those at highest risk of developing the metabolic syndrome.

reference:
Davila EP, Florez H, Fleming LE, Lee DJ, Goodman E, Leblanc WG, Caban-Martinez AJ, Arheart KL, McCollister KE, Christ SL, Clark JC 3rd, Clarke T. Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome among US Workers.Diabetes Care. 2010 Jun 28.

New health and fitness blog network

2010-06-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

To provide all of my subscribed readers to this blog with a quick update, as I've mentioned before, I moved all of my previous blogs about dietary supplements, to a new location: Dietary Supplement Updates or Supplement Updates for short. On another note, I've recently launched a health and fitness blog network called Hive Health Media with a friend of my from Toronto. Doug's a personal trainer from Toronto who has a fitness blog that I would highly recommend that you visit called Health Habits.

We look forward to seeing you at the new locations.

Commonly Dietary Supplements for Joint Pain or Arthritis

2010-04-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

As I have previously noted, I will now be writing my blog posts at a new location--Supplement Updates. I thought that I would provide a stand alone recap of many of the commonly used dietary supplements for joint pain or arthritis as basically a final post for this blog site.

Dietary Supplements for Joint Pain and Arthritis...

1. Glucosamine sulfate - is an amino sugar that's found in several different joint health products. Note, that glucosamine containing products can contain either one of glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, or n-acetyl glucosamine. Currently, most of the latest research supports the use of the glucosamine sulfate salt. Studies suggest that glucosamine can take 6 months of use to be effective.

Dose: 500mg taken three times per day (total daily dose: 1500 mg).

Potential Side effects:

Gastrointestinal:

upset stomach
abdominal pain
vomiting
nausea
constipation
diarrhea

Other

nail toughening
sun sensitivity
headache
drowsiness
insomnia
drowsiness
***Some glucosamine products are derived from shell-fish and should not be used by people who have preexisting allergies to shell-fish

Theoretical

increased risk of bleeding
alter blood sugar levels

2. Devil's Claw Extract - (Harpagophytum procumbens) is a plant which is native to south and central Africa. It’s medicinal value lies in its fleshy roots or the secondary tubers. The vernacular name, Devil’s Claw is derived from the fact that the fruits of the plant are covered in small claw-like protrusions. Harpago itself translates from Greek which literally means 'grappling hook.'

Dose: 600-1200 mg (in tablets standardized to 50-100 mg Harpagoside content) taken three times per day (taken for 2-3 months.

Potential side effects:

At recommended doses, Devil's Claw Extract is generally well-tolerated. Some side effects have been reported including:

ringing in ears
headaches
loss of appetite
gastrointestinal upset

Theoretical:

increase risk of bleeding
lower blood sugar levels

3. S-adeonsyl methionine - is a ubiquitous chemical which is found naturally in your body.

Dosage: 400-1600 mg/day

***if you're taking an antidepressant medication or suffer from a psychiatric condition such as depression or bipolar disorder, talk to your doctor before talking s-adenosylmethionine.

Potential side effects:

gastrointestinal: stomach ache, diarrhea, nausea
other: insomnia, anxiety

4. Avocado soybean unsaponifiables - are a natural extract which are made from the oil of avocados and soybeans.

A fairly recent meta-analysis published in the journal, Osteoarthritis Cartilage (Christensen et al, 2008) found that avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) may help to relieve pain from arthritis.

Dose: 300 mg ASU for 3 months

Potential side effects: avocado soybean unsaponifiables are generally well-tolerated and most studies have shown a similar number of side effects to placebo.

5.Pycnogenol(R) - is also known as French Maritime Pine Bark Extract. Pycnogenol(R) refers specifically to a proprietary pine bark extract which means that it should not be confused with the generic term, pycnogenols, which are found in grape seed extract.

other benefits of pycnogenol

Dose: 150 mg per day in divided doses

Side effects: Pycnogenol(R) is also well-tolerated and few adverse events have been reported in scientific literature. It should be taken with meals due to it's potential to upset your stomach.

Theoretical:

potentially alter blood glucose levels or increase risk of bleeding.

6. Cat's Claw - is a medicinal plant from the Amazon which is commonly used to treat osteoarthritis. There are relatively few studies in the literature which study the efficacy and safety of Cat's Claw for treating osteoarthritis. A study by Piscoya et al, 2001 did suggest that it was efficacious for treating pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee

Dose: 100 mg per day.

Potential side effects:

Though there are few known side effects, cat's claw has not been well studied and future research is necessary.
Reported side effects include nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea.

7. Chondroitin Sulfate - is a structural component of cartilage which like glucosamine sulfate, is a very commonly used dietary supplement for treating joint pain or arthritis. A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine (Reichenbach et al, 2007), concluded:

"Large-scale, methodologically sound trials indicate that the symptomatic benefit of chondroitin is minimal or nonexistent. Use of chondroitin in routine clinical practice should therefore be discouraged"(Reichenbach et al, 2007).

More recently, a study by Lee et al, 2010, suggests that supplementation with chondroitin sulfate like glucosmaine may prevent joint space narrowing when used for a minimum of 2 years. Joint space narrowing is a feature of osteoarthritis which occurs as your cartilage breaks down.

Dose: 1000-1200 mg per day in divided doses.

Potential Side effects:

gastrointestinal: diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation and nausea
other: hair loss, irregular heart beat, eyelid swelling, and leg swelling
Don't take chondroitin sulfate if you have asthma or prostate cancer as it could potentially worsen both medical conditions.

If you found this blog post helpful, make sure to follow me on Twitter: Jarret Morrow, or visit my new blog for further updates: Dietary Supplement Updates

References:

Piscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, Okuhama NN, Miller MJ, Sandoval M. Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis. Inflamm Res. 2001 Sep;50(9):442-8.
Reichenbach S, Sterchi R, Scherer M, Trelle S, Bürgi E, Bürgi U, Dieppe PA, Jüni P. Meta-analysis: chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Apr 17;146(8):580-90.
Lee YH, Woo JH, Choi SJ, Ji JD, Song GG. Effect of glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate on the osteoarthritis progression: a meta-analysis.Rheumatol Int. 2010 Jan;30(3):357-63. Epub 2009 Jun 21.

Health Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements

2010-03-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

Several clinical studies have documented the health benefits of fish oil supplements, especially on the cardiovascular system. This recent study demonstrates a decreased resting heart rate as well as an improvement in endothelial (cells that line blood vessels) function.

"FO supplementation in healthy subjects is associated with improved endothelial function and decreased resting HR" (Shah et al, 2007).

Reference:

Shah AP, Ichiuji AM, Han JK, Traina M, El-Bialy A, Meymandi SK, Wachsner RY. Cardiovascular and endothelial effects of fish oil supplementation in healthy volunteers. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2007 Sep;12(3):213-9.

Do seniors consume an adequate intake of vitamin d?

2010-03-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

Canadian researchers published the results of a recent study which looked at vitamin d intake among residents in a long-term care facility. Thirty three percent of these residents were previously diagnosed with osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and falls and/or fractures.

The study authors found that the average resident consumed just 295 IU of vitamin d per day. Those who were provided nutritional supplementation consumed 357 IU while those who weren't consumed only 207 IU of vitamin d.

Conclusions:

None of the study participants met the recommended AI of 600 IU through dietary sources alone.
Study results suggest that all LTC residents require vitamin D micronutrient supplementation of at least 400 IU to achieve the recommended AI of 600 IU.

Source:

Hall KL, Denda CE, Yeung H. Dietary vitamin d intake among elderly residents in a veterans' centre. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2010 Spring;71(1):49-52.

Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables for Arthritis Pain?

2010-03-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

Get me an avocado, snorkle, and an ice pack?

A fairly recent meta-analysis published in the journal, Osteoarthritis Cartilage (Christensen et al, 2008) found that avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) may help to relieve pain from arthritis.

In this review, they suggested a daily dose of 300 mg ASU for 3 months as a trial.

The number needed to treat (NNT) was six.

What's interesting is that this supplement was more effective for patients with knee as opposed to hip arthritis.

For more info about natural arthritis treatments, follow the link.

Reference:

Christensen R, Bartels EM, Astrup A, Bliddal H. Symptomatic efficacy of avocado-soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) in osteoarthritis (OA) patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008 Apr;16(4):399-408. Epub 2007 Nov 26.

Is oral or topical Diclofenac sodium better for muscle or joint pain?

2009-01-12T09:04:00.000-08:00

Diclofenac sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to reduce inflammation and to reduce pain in conditions such as arthritis. Two routes of administration are available—oral as well as topical. The efficacy of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been established for synovial (joint) and muscle tissue. However, there is little data available on the efficacy of topical NSAIDS. The results of a recent study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (Miyatake et al, 2009) compared the concentration of diclofenac from topical and oral administration.

Dosages compared included a capsule containing 37.5mg of diclofenac sodium vs. 2 tapes containing 30mg of diclofenac sodium for topical application. Concentrations of diclofenac were measured in muscle, synovial membrane, and plasma 12 hours following administration.

Results: The diclofenac concentration was significantly higher in the muscle after topical application compared to oral administration (measured 12h after dosage). However, the concentrations in the synovial membrane was significantly lower after topic administration compared to oral administration. There were no significant differences in plasma diclofenac levels between either route of administration.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that topical administration of diclofenac sodium may actually be better for muscle pain. In contrast, these study results suggest that oral diclophanc sodium may be a better route of administration for people with joint pain or arthritis.

Side effects of Diclofenac sodium (among others)

Cardiac—potential increased risk of heart disease/myocardial infarction
Gastrointestinal—ulcers/bleeding.
Liver—damage/hepatitis
Kidney—adverse kidney effects
Other—bone marrow depression, affects blood clotting

Reference:
Miyatake S, Ichiyama H, Kondo E, Yasuda K. Randomized clinical comparisons of diclofenac concentration in the soft tissues and blood plasma between topical and oral applications. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Jan;67(1):125-9.

Does Garlic actually make you smarter?

2008-12-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

Garlic is something that's well known for a lot of different things. One of the first things that comes to most people's mind is the pungent aroma of garlic. Next, on most people's list of associations of garlic include its potential benefits at warding off vampires. However, garlic itself may actually have several potential health benefits.

Potential health benefits of garlic:

regulating cholesterol levels
regulating blood sugar levels
antimicrobial activity
memory improvement?

Garlic (Allium sativum) is used both as a food as well as a medicinal herb. The results of a recent study involving rats published in the Journal of Medicinal Food (2008) suggests that administration of fresh garlic homogenate actuallly improved both brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) levels) as well as cognitive performance (Haider et al, 2008).

Reference:

Haider S, Naz N, Khaliq S, Perveen T, Haleem DJ. Repeated administration of fresh garlic increases memory retention in rats. J Med Food. 2008 Dec;11(4):675-9.

Evaluation of night-time splints in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis?

2008-10-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

Rheumatoid arthritis is a very common and debilitating condition for which there are no ideal treatment options. For those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, a recent study published in the Journal of Rehabilitative Medicine (Silva et al, 2008), studied the effectiveness of night-time hand positioning splints in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

"OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a night-time hand positioning splint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

RESULTS: The groups were homogenous for all parameters at baseline. Pain, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, DASH score, grip strength and pinch strength were significantly different between groups over time and satisfaction with the splint was reported as "better" and "much better" by most participants.

CONCLUSION:

"The use of a night-time hand positioning splint reduces pain, improves grip and pinch strength, upper limb function and functional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis."

Reference:

Silva AC, Jones A, Silva PG, Natour J. Effectiveness of a night-time hand positioning splint in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial. J Rehabil Med. 2008 Oct;40(9):749-54.

Related blog posts on rheumatoid arthritis:

Pycnogenol for osteoarthritis?

2008-10-23T18:08:00.000-07:00

Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract)

The results of a recent study published in the journal, Phytotherapy Research, suggest that Pycnogenol may help alleviate pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Additionally, pycnogenol helped to improve functional measures.

Dose: 150 mg Pycnogenol per day at meals.

RESULTS: Following treatment with Pycnogenol patients reported:

An improvement of WOMAC index (Western Ontario and McMaster osteoarthritis index)
A significant alleviation of pain by visual analogue scale

"CONCLUSION: Results show that Pycnogenol in patients with mild to moderate OA improves symptoms and is able to spare NSAIDs."

Arthritis can be a painful and debilitating medical condition.From this study, it's possible that pycnogenol supplementation may provide some relief.

For more information about the health benefits of Pycnogenol follow the link.

Reference:

Cisár P, Jány R, Waczulíková I, Sumegová K, Muchová J, Vojtassák J, Duraćková Z, Lisý M, Rohdewald P. Effect of pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Phytother Res. 2008 Aug;22(8):1087-92.

SAMe for Osteoarthritis?

2008-10-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

S-adenosyl methionine for Osteoarthritis?

Arthritis is a very common condition with approximately 15% of the population in developed nations suffering from some form of arthritis. In fact, osteoarthritis as a result of gradual loss of cartilage, people who suffer from it experience pain and immobility.

Today, I read a recent study published in the journal, Critial Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, which discussed how SAMe or S-adenosylmethionine, may work in the treatment of osteoarthritis (Blewett et al, 2008).

“There are numerous clinical reports showing that SAMe supplementation is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis however little is known regarding the mechanism of action.”

“Research has identified SAMe as a potential safe treatment for osteoarthritis, that may actually regenerate cartilage.”

Potential mechanisms:

Reduce inflammatory mediators (TNFalpha)
Signal proteoglycan synthesis (cartilage component)
Treatment with SAMe reduces oxidative stress and liver damage
Increasing membrane phospholid methylation for more “fluid” cell membranes

S-Adenosylmethionine is one of the key ingredients found in Arthroleve™

For more information about natural remedies for arthritis, follow the link.

Reference:

Hosea Blewett HJ. Exploring the mechanisms behind S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2008 May;48(5):458-63.

Folic Acid Supplementation for Psoriasis

2008-09-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Folic Acid Supplementation for Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a very common skin disorder that affects millions of Americans. In fact, it is believed to affect approximately 2-3% of the population. Frequently, people with psoriasis develop red scaly patches. These psoriatic plaques, as they are often referred to as, are areas of excessive skin production and inflammation.

Though the actual cause of psoriasis is unknown, genetic factors are thought to be involved. Overall, psoriasis can impact the quality of life of people who suffer from this skin condition.

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory disease involving the spine and peripheral joints that develops in patients with psoriasis. Further, psoriatic arthritis develops in 5-10% of patients with psoriasis.

A recent study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment discussed the role of folic acid supplementation in patients with psoriasis.

Background:

“Relative deficiency of folic acid may occur in conditions such as pregnancy and hyperproliferative or chronic inflammatory disorders.”

Conclusion:

“Folic acid supplementation appears as a reasonable therapeutic option in patients affected by chronic inflammatory skin diseases, such as moderate to severe psoriasis; in particular, those with concomitant hyperhomocysteinemia, low plasma folate and additional cardiovascular risk factors.”

Reference:

Gisondi P, Fantuzzi F, Malerba M, Girolomoni G. Folic acid in general medicine and dermatology. J Dermatolog Treat. 2007;18(3):138-46.

Breakfast of Champions?

2008-08-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

Today, I've just recently read what Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter with 2 gold medals and 2 world records at the Beijing Olympics, ate prior to his race. To my complete surprise, Usain Bolt fueled up on Chicken McNuggets from McDonald's prior to the race....

"I'm lovin it."

From a nutritional stand point, it would not take very much to question this choice, but given that he set 2 world record times (100m 9.69/200m 19.30) and won 2 Olympic gold medals, it's hard to imagine that he would have ran much faster with a healthier breakfast. The last sprinter to win both the 100m and 200m events at the same Olympic games was Carl Lewis in 1984.

A wrinkle in time...

2008-07-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

A Wrinkle in time...

As we age, many of us become concerned about how our appearance changes. Both men and women alike spend an untold amount of money on Botox®, Restylane®, and cosmetic surgery. Are there any simpler ways to prevent wrinkles?

The results of a recent study which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggest that our diets may actually affect how our skin ages. To some, this revelation is not too much of a surprise. However, what specifically can we do to ensure that our skin does not age prematurely?

The results of this recent study suggest that there are four things that we can do to help prevent wrinkles and to promote better skin-aging appearance.

Higher intake of Vitamin C is associated with a lower likelihood of a wrinkled appearance. However, I would encourage an intake through healthy dietary sources. Vitamin C, when taken in excess, can result in complications including kidney stones.
Higher intake of linoleic acid (omega 6 fatty acids) is associated with a lower risk of skin atrophy and age-related dryness.
Higher intake of fat in your diet may also result in an increased likelihood of wrinkles as well as skin atrophy. Of course, there are other benefits to eating a healthy, low fat diet which may include lowering your cardiovascular risk.
Higher carbohydrate diets are also associated with a greater likelihood of both wrinkles and skin atrophy. Further, most people are aware that eating both carbohydrates and fat in excess can lead to both obesity as well as diabetes.

“CONCLUSIONS: Higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates are associated with better skin-aging appearance. Promoting healthy dietary behaviors may have additional benefit for skin appearance in addition to other health outcomes in the population.”

Reference:
Cosgrove MC, Franco OH, Granger SP, Murray PG, Mayes AE. Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Oct;86(4):1225-31.

Vitamin B6 for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

2008-07-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

What is the carpal tunnel?

No, unfortunately, you can’t take the carpal tunnel to visit France when you’re staying in England. The carpal tunnel is the passageway which is located in your wrist. It consists of the 8 carpal (wrist bones) and a ligament which connects the pillars of the arch. The carpal tunnel itself is a very tightly spaced tunnel. The median nerve along with the tendons which connect the muscles in your forearm to the bones in your wrist all pass through this tunnel.

What causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

In the vast majority of cases, there is no known cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, repetitive injuries are often blamed.

What are the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The median nerve is compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome (compressive neuropathy). Symptoms include pain, muscle weakness, and parasthesia or prickling and numb sensations. Symptoms often first occur at night and as the condition worsens are often experienced during the day.

Who are at greatest risk for carpal tunnel syndrome?

CTS is more common in women than in men. It is also more common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disease.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
Usually, you’re doctor can diagnose CTS with a careful history and physical exam. An electromyogram which includes nerve conduction studies can asses nerve damage.

What treatment options are available?

1. Lifestyle change—decrease the amount and type of repetitive motion (i.e. typing.)
2. Immobilization—splints are available to support the wrist for people with CTS and can be worn at night time.
3. Medication—anti-inflammatory meds.
4. Surgery—Carpal Tunnel Release.

Are there any natural treatment options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

During the late seventies and early 80’s there were a number of studies on vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and carpal tunnel syndrome. Many of these researchers hypothesized that carpal tunnel syndrome was actually caused by vitamin b6 deficiency. However, the enthusiasm for this treatment option has waned in recent years. Despite, this supplementation with vitamin b6 is still recommended by some recent studies as an option worth considering.
In excessive doses, Vitamin b6 like anything else can be potentially toxic if you consume too much. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome and would like to consider taking vitamin B6, talk to your physician.

“Nevertheless, it appears reasonable to recommend vitamin B6 supplementation to people with CTS. Some patients will improve symptomatically with low risks of toxicity in recommended doses” (Aufiero et al, 2004).

“ANSWER: Although its effectiveness is controversial, vitamin B6 is often used as a conservative and adjunct therapy in treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Many patients attempt to treat their symptoms with vitamin B6 on their own. Vitamin B6 at less than 200 mg daily is not likely to cause any adverse effects, but patients should be monitored for changes in symptoms, particularly when high doses are taken over long periods” (Ryan-Harshman et al, 2007).

References:

Aufiero E, Stitik TP, Foye PM, Chen B. Pyridoxine hydrochloride treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a review. Nutr Rev. 2004 Mar;62(3):96-104.

Ryan-Harshman M, Aldoori W. Carpal tunnel syndrome and vitamin B6. Can Fam Physician. 2007 Jul;53(7):1161-2.

Natural remedies for gout?

2008-07-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

Do you suffer from gout?

Gout is a common condition that occurs when your uric acid levels are elevated and the uric acid gets deposited on articular cartilage, tendons and surrounding tissues. Gout often affects the big toe and symptoms include: sudden burning pain, redness, warmth and stiffness of the affected joint. Six out of 1000 men develop gout, while only one of 1000 women develop it.

Your doctor may prescribe medication to lower your uric acid levels. Though anti-inflammatory medication including Ibuprofen can ease the pain of gout, do not take aspirin as aspirin may elevate your uric acid levels and worsen the pain.

Ensure that you maintain adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water. Also try to avoid foods that are high in purines such as red meat and alcohol.

Untreated gout can lead to permanent joint damage, so make sure that you see your doctor. Some research suggests that taking 500mg of vitamin C per day may lower your uric acid levels (Huang et al 2005).

Another related study found that actually consuming 280g of cherries (bing sweet cherries) may also lower uric acid levels (Jacob et al, 2003).

To find out why gout is often referred to as the disease of kings, click here!

References:

Huang HY, Appel LJ, Choi MJ, Gelber AC, Charleston J, Norkus EP, Miller ER 3rd. The effects of vitamin C supplementation on serum concentrations of uric acid: results of a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Jun;52(6):1843-7.

Jacob RA, Spinozzi GM, Simon VA, Kelley DS, Prior RL, Hess-Pierce B, Kader AA. Consumption of cherries lowers plasma urate in healthy women. J Nutr. 2003 Jun;133(6):1826-9.

Glucosamine decreases pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis?

2008-07-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

Osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease is a very common condition that our risk of developing increases as we age. Essentially, OA is characterized by ‘wear and tear’ on our joints which occurs as our cartilage begins to wear down.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the joints. Though RA is more common in women, it affects approximately 1% of the population.

Glucosamine is one of the most commonly used dietary supplements used by people who suffer from arthritis. However, it’s intended use is primarily for people who suffer from osteoarthritis as opposed to rheumatoid arthritis.

The results of a recent study published in the medical journal, Rheumatology International, suggest that glucosamine supplementation may improve symptomatic pain in patients with RA. However, the study authors noted that glucosamine did not have a specific antirheumatic effect.

If you are among the 1% of the population who suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, it may be worthwhile to try supplementation with glucosamine. The dosage used in this particular study was 1500mg per day.

Reference:

Nakamura H, Masuko K, Yudoh K, Kato T, Kamada T, Kawahara T. Effects of glucosamine administration on patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2007 Jan;27(3):213-8. Epub 2006 Sep 5

The Arthroleve Affiliate Network

2008-07-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

Two-tier program with high conversion rates and top level commissions
Earn 20% commissions on each direct sale
Earn 10% on second tier sales - so even affiliates that sign up via your site earn you commissions
Commissions are lifetime - Earn commissions on recurring product sales for life!

What is the Arthroleve Affiliate Network?

Do you want to earn some real income from your web site or blog? If so, you've come to the right place! With University Health Industries' revolutionary, patent-pending, pharmaceutically grade, product for promoting joint health and its market-leading commission rates on sales, you can generate significant additional income by promoting and linking to our site. The Arthroleve Affiliate Network is a network of top-quality, high-traffic sites that are dedicated to improving the lives of their clients while taking advantage of our excellent conversion rates to drive additional revenue via their web sites.

How do I join?

That's easy - simply Complete an Application. It's FREE and it's an excellent way to offer your visitors a chance to try a free sample of Arthroleve(TM). **We do require that you have an existing web site to qualify as an Arthroleve(TM) Affiliate.

What do I get with your program?

Arthroleve is supported with our National TV Commercial Campaign!
You get to choose an attractive banner ad to place on your site.
We pay market-leading commissions on product sales (20%).
We offer lifetime commissions with our recurring sales model.
We offer a two-tier program so, as you recruit your own affiliates you will earn commissions on all of their sales too (10%).
You get a secure login and password to review your banner ads, so you can track which ad campaigns generate the most revenue.
We pay out monthly (if over $25 accumulated) to keep the cash flowing!
It's simple and FREE!
We will complete the approval process within 48 - 72 hours and look forward to having you in our network.

Complete an application today!

University Health Industries Launches Natural Pet Health Care Division

2008-06-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

University Health Industries Inc., (OTCBB:UVHI) a Florida corporation engaged in the development, marketing and sale of proprietary, patent-pending nutraceutical products, including its leading brands Arthroleve(TM) and Zenstral PMS(TM), announced today that it is launching a new pet health care division.

BOCA RATON, Fla. (Business Wire EON) June 30, 2008 -- University Health Industries Inc., (OTCBB:UVHI) a Florida corporation engaged in the development, marketing and sale of proprietary, patent-pending nutraceutical products, including its leading brands Arthroleve(TM) and Zenstral PMS(TM), announced today that it is launching a new pet health care division.

"UHI's overall strategy has always included pet health care and we are excited about beginning the process of moving this forward. This new division complements the Company's current offerings in both its human health and environmental products."

The pet health care division is designed to expand University Health Industries' current market focus on human health into the pet health care market. The American Pet Product Manufactures Association (APPMA) estimates 2008 sales to be $10.3 billion for pet supplies and OTC medicines.

The lead product will be a pet formulated version of UHI's popular and successful Arthroleve™ product for joint health and arthritis, which will be designed with a dosage and delivery system specific to canines. Small animal veterinary analgesics has been one of the fastest growing segments of the pet health care market in the last ten years, since the launch of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Rimadyl® in 1996. Due to concerns over side effects associated with NSAIDS, many consumers choose to try nutraceutical products first. Currently, the canine joint health market is led primarily by glucosamine/chondroitin containing products including SynoviCare® and Cosequin®. UHI's adaptation of Artholeve™ for the canine market will allow us to offer consumers a unique patent-pending formulation with clinically-proven ingredients.

For the full story:

University Health Industries

Exploring the Mechanisms behind S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis.

2008-05-20T06:58:00.001-07:00

S-Adenosylmethionine is one of the key ingredients found in Arthroleve (arthroleve.com/). A recent research paper highlights the study of this ingredient in osteoarthritis:

"Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease characterized by pain and immobility due to a gradual loss of cartilage. Current treatments are palliative; there is no cure. With a growing interest in alternative therapies, due in part to safety issues regarding pharmacological treatments like Celebrex, safe dietary compounds that help the body regenerate cartilage tissue are of great clinical importance.

The dietary supplement S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) shows such potential. Clinical trials have shown reduced pain and stiffness while in vitro and animal studies have shown SAMe can stimulate the production of cartilage which is critical in reversing the disease process. The author examines many potential mechanisms of action including: reduction of inflammatory mediators; increasing levels of glutathione; direct or indirect signaling of cartilage synthesis or survival; maintenance of DNA methylation. Research into the mechanisms of supplemental SAMe in osteoarthritis is necessary to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of this dietary supplement."

Reference:

Hosea Blewett HJ. Exploring the Mechanisms behind S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2008 May;48(5):458-63.

University Health Industries Announces New Name and Ticker Symbol

2008-05-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

University Health Industries Announces New Name and Ticker Symbol

BOCA RATON, Fla. (Business Wire EON) May 9, 2008 -- University Health Industries, Inc., (OTC:UVHI) a Florida corporation engaged in the development, marketing and sale of proprietary, patent-pending nutraceutical products, including its leading brands Arthroleve(TM) and Zenstral PMS(TM), announces new name and ticker symbol.

University Health Industries, Inc., announces that effective at the open of business today, its new ticker symbol will be "UVHI" (Pink Sheets) replacing the former ticker symbol "VRTN" (Pink Sheets). This ticker symbol change corresponds with the corporate name change to University Health Industries, Inc., formerly Virtual Innovations, Inc.

For the full story: http://eon.businesswire.com/releases/university/health/prweb931784.htm

University Health Industries Launches National Television Commercial Campaign

2008-04-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

"BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--University Health Industries, Inc., (Pink Sheets:VRTN - News) is pleased to announce that it has launched a national television commercial campaign.

University Health Industries has launched a national television campaign for Arthroleve™, a product that helps to alleviate joint pain and stiffness and promote overall joint health. The commercial for the Zenstral PMS™ product, which offers relief from many of the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome, is scheduled to follow. Both commercials were produced by UHI’s production company, Avalanche Creative, in New York."

For the Full Story: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080428/20080428005198.html?.v=1

University Health Industries Acquires Mosquito Pro Tech

2008-04-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

"BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--University Health Industries, Inc. (OTC:VRTN - News), a Florida corporation engaged in the development, marketing and sale of proprietary, patent-pending nutraceutical products including its leading brands Arthroleve(TM) and Zenstral PMS(TM) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Mosquito Pro Tech (MPT)."

For the full story: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080415/20080415006081.html?.v=1

University Health Industries Appoints New CEO

2008-03-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

"BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--University Health Industries, Inc. (OTC:VRTN - News), a Florida corporation engaged in the development, marketing and sale of proprietary, patent-pending nutraceutical products, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dean Peloso as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Peloso has also been appointed to the Company's board of directors."

For the full story, click: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080306/20080306005619.html?.v=1

Important nutrients to prevent osteoporosis

2007-12-13T11:07:00.000-08:00

"Calcium and vitamin D are the mainstays of nutritional intervention for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis."

"Other nutritional considerations include nutrients such as vitamin B-12 and vitamin K that may reduce fracture risk by increasing bone mineral density as well as the improvement of bone microarchitecture. Diets high in fruits and vegetables contribute nutrients such as magnesium associated with bone health and may also produce an alkaline environment, reducing calcium excretion and thus improving bone density."

Reference:

Kitchin B, Morgan SL. Not just calcium and vitamin D: other nutritional considerations in osteoporosis. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2007 Apr;9(1):85-92

Phytostanol supplements for lowering cholesterol

2007-12-13T10:37:00.000-08:00

Phytostanol supplements for lowering cholesterol...

"Plant sterols, incorporated into spreads and other food sources, have been shown to lower serum cholesterol concentrations."

"Phytostanol supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC) (-8%) and LDL-cholesterol (-9%). There were no alterations in concentrations of HDL-cholesterol or TG. Nor were the ratios of LDL/HDL or TC/HDL altered significantly. Thus, use of phytostanol ester softgel supplements improved serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in hypercholesterolemic individuals."

Reference:
Woodgate D, Chan CH, Conquer JA. Cholesterol-lowering ability of a phytostanol softgel supplement in adults with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Lipids. 2006 Feb;41(2):127-32.

Nutrients for preventing coronary heart disease

2007-12-12T07:11:00.000-08:00

Nutrients for preventing coronary heart disease.

A recent study explored the effect of supplementation with a fortified diary product containing:

eicosapentaenoic acid
docosahexaenoic acid
oleic acid
folic acid
vitamins A, B-6, D, and E.\

Background:

"Certain nutrients have been shown to be effective in preventing coronary heart disease. We hypothesized that a daily intake of low amounts of a number of these nutrients would exert beneficial effects on risk factors and clinical variables in patients that suffered from myocardial infarction (MI) and were following a cardiac rehabilitation program."

Intervention:

"The supplemented group consumed 500 mL/d of a fortified dairy product containing eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, oleic acid, folic acid, and vitamins A, B-6, D, and E."

Results:

"Plasma total and LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations decreased in the supplemented group (P<0.05), and plasma total homocysteine decreased in both groups. There were no changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or cardiac electrocardiographic parameters in either group."

Reference:

Carrero JJ, Fonollá J, Marti JL, Jiménez J, Boza JJ, López-Huertas E. Intake of fish oil, oleic acid, folic acid, and vitamins B-6 and E for 1 year decreases plasma C-reactive protein and reduces coronary heart disease risk factors in male patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program. J Nutr. 2007 Feb;137(2):384-90.

Vitamin C and E supplementation and hypertension

2007-12-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

Vitamin C and E supplementation and hypertension...

"BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and increased oxidative stress. We evaluated the effect of short-term combined treatment with the antioxidants vitamins C and E on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and oxidative stress in untreated essential hypertensive patients."

"CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment with vitamins C and E has beneficial effects on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and arterial stiffness in untreated, essential hypertensive patients. This effect is associated with changes in plasma markers of oxidative stress."

Reference:

Plantinga Y, Ghiadoni L, Magagna A, Giannarelli C, Franzoni F, Taddei S, Salvetti A. Supplementation with vitamins C and E improves arterial stiffness and endothelial function in essential hypertensive patients. Am J Hypertens. 2007 Apr;20(4):392-7.

Omega 3 fatty acids and blood pressure

2007-12-12T07:05:00.000-08:00

Food omega-3 purified fatty acids may help control adverse blood pressure levels according to the results of this recent study:

"In summary, food omega-3 PFA intake related inversely to blood pressure, including in nonhypertensive persons, with small estimated effect size. Food omega-3 PFA may contribute to prevention and control of adverse blood pressure levels."

Reference

Ueshima H, Stamler J, Elliott P, Chan Q, Brown IJ, Carnethon MR, Daviglus ML, He K, Moag-Stahlberg A, Rodriguez BL, Steffen LM, Van Horn L, Yarnell J, Zhou B; INTERMAP Research Group. Food omega-3 fatty acid intake of individuals (total, linolenic acid, long-chain) and their blood pressure: INTERMAP study. Hypertension. 2007 Aug;50(2):313-9. Epub 2007 Jun 4.

Will taking potassium citrate lower your blood pressure?

2007-12-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

High blood pressure or hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). A new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition suggests that taking a daily supplment of potassium citrate lowered volunteers blood pressure by 5 mmHg.

***Many blood pressure lowering drugs called ace inhibitors cause your body to retain potassium. Consult your physician before taking a potassium supplement as many medical conditions as well as some medications can already elevate your potassium levels.

"Blood pressure (BP) shows a continuous relationship with the risk of CVD. There is substantial evidence that dietary potassium exerts an anti-pressor effect. Most clinical trials have used KCl. However, the chloride ion may have a pressor effect and in foods potassium is associated with organic anions. In a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial we explored the effect on BP of two salts of potassium, KCl and potassium citrate (K-cit), in predominantly young healthy normotensive volunteers. The primary outcome was the change in mean arterial pressure as measured in a clinic setting. After 6 weeks of supplementation, compared with the placebo group (n 31), 30 mmol K-cit/d (n 28) changed mean arterial pressure by - 5.22 mmHg (95 % CI - 8.85, - 4.53) which did not differ significantly from that induced by KCl (n 26), - 4.70 mmHg ( - 6.56, - 2.84). The changes in systolic and diastolic BP were - 6.69 (95 % CI - 8.85, - 4.43) and - 4.26 (95 % CI - 6.31, - 2.21) mmHg with K-cit and - 5.24 (95 % CI - 7.43, - 3.06) and - 4.30 (95 % CI - 6.39, - 2.20) mmHg with KCl, and did not differ significantly between the two treatments. Changes in BP were not related to baseline urinary electrolytes. A greater treatment-related effect was observed in those with higher systolic BP. Increasing dietary potassium could therefore have a significant impact on the progressive rise in BP in the entire population."

Reference:
Braschi A, Naismith DJ. The effect of a dietary supplement of potassium chloride or potassium citrate on blood pressure in predominantly normotensive volunteers. Br J Nutr. 2007 Dec 6;:1-9

Elderberry extract and the flu

2007-12-11T07:51:00.000-08:00

Elderberry extract as a natural flu remedy?

Initial results from the Journal of Internal Medicine Research suggest that elderberry extract may be effective for treating influenze.

"Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex."

"Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study."

Reference:

Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40.

Do fish oil supplements contain mercury?

2007-12-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

"Last year, researchers at Boston’s Massachusetts
General Hospital measured the mercury
levels in five fish oil preparations and found
negligible amounts in all five. They concluded
that mercury is found primarily in the fish
tissue and is removed in the process of making
fish oil. ConsumerLab.com reported no
detectable levels of mercury in 20 fish oil
supplements. Consumer Reports tested 16
top-selling fish-oil supplements and found
that they contained no significant amounts
of mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
or dioxins."

Robb-Nicholson C. By the way, doctor. The stories about mercury and other toxins in fish have me worried that my fish oil supplements may be contaminated. Have there been any studies of these toxins in fish oil capsules?. [Journal Article] Harvard Women's Health Watch. 12(1):8, 2004 Sep

Bromelain for knee osteoarthritis?

2007-12-10T16:24:00.000-08:00

Bromelain is an ingredient common in many dietary supplements which are marketed for promoting joint health. Does it actually work?

"BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is the most prevalent joint disorder. Previous studies suggest that bromelain, a pineapple extract, may be a safer alternative/adjunctive treatment for knee OA than current conventional treatment."

"DISCUSSION: This study suggests that bromelain is not efficacious as an adjunctive treatment of moderate to severe OA, but its limitations support the need for a follow-up study."

Brien S, Lewith G, Walker AF, Middleton R, Prescott P, Bundy R. Bromelain as an adjunctive treatment for moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. QJM. 2006 Dec;99(12):841-50.

Coenzyme Q10 decreases muscle pain in patients on statins

2007-12-10T16:21:00.000-08:00

Coenzyme Q10 for patients with muscle pain from statin medication?

For patients who taking statin medication to reduce their cholesterol levels, muscle pain can be a problematic side effect. A recent study suggests that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 may reduce muscle pain associated with statin medication use.

"Treatment of hypercholesterolemia with statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) is effective in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, statin use is often associated with a variety of muscle-related symptoms or myopathies. Myopathy may be related in part to statin inhibition of the endogenous synthesis of coenzyme Q10, an essential cofactor for mitochondrial energy production. "

"In conclusion, results suggest that coenzyme Q10 supplementation may decrease muscle pain associated with statin treatment. Thus, coenzyme Q10 supplementation may offer an alternative to stopping treatment with these vital drugs."

Reference:

Caso G, Kelly P, McNurlan MA, Lawson WE. Effect of coenzyme q10 on myopathic symptoms in patients treated with statins. Am J Cardiol. 2007 May 15;99(10):1409-12. Epub 2007 Apr 3.

Coenzyme Q10 improves functional capacity in patients with heart failure

2007-12-10T16:19:00.000-08:00

Coenzyme Q10 improves functional capacity in patients with heart failure...

"BACKGROUND: There is evidence that plasma CoQ(10) levels decrease in patients with advanced chronic heart failure (CHF). "

"CONCLUSIONS: Oral CoQ(10) improves LV contractility in CHF without any side effects. This improvement is associated with an enhanced functional capacity."

Reference
Belardinelli R, Muçaj A, Lacalaprice F, Solenghi M, Principi F, Tiano L, Littarru GP. Coenzyme Q10 improves contractility of dysfunctional myocardium in chronic heart failure. Biofactors. 2005;25(1-4):137-45.

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 in bronchial asthma patients

2007-12-10T16:16:00.000-08:00

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 in bronchial asthma patients

"Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of respiratory system, with disturbances in the dynamic balance of oxidant-antioxidant capacity of the lungs. Long-term administration of corticosteroids has been shown to result in mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage of mitochondrial and nuclear DNAs."

"RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Data show that patients with corticosteroid-dependent bronchial asthma have low plasma CoQ(10) concentrations that may contribute to their antioxidant imbalance and oxidative stress.

A reduction in the dosage of corticosteroids required by the patients following antioxidant supplementation was observed, indicating lower incidence of potential adverse effects of the drugs, decreased oxidative stress. "

Reference

Gvozdjáková A, Kucharská J, Bartkovjaková M, Gazdíková K, Gazdík FE. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation reduces corticosteroids dosage in patients with bronchial asthma. Biofactors. 2005;25(1-4):235-40.

Grape Seed Extract and weight loss

2007-12-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

"These findings suggest that grape seed could be effective in reducing 24 h EI in normal to overweight dietary unrestrained subjects, and could, therefore, play a significant role in body-weight management."

Reference:
Vogels N, Nijs IM, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. The effect of grape-seed extract on 24 h energy intake in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004 Apr;58(4):667-73.

Health Benefits of Grape Seet Extract on Cardiovascular Health

2007-12-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

"Following consecutive 12-wk administration of tablets containing 0, 200 or 400 mg grape seed extract (calculated as proanthocyanidin) to 61 healthy subjects with LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of 100 to 180 mg/dL, effects of such treatment compared to administration of placebo tablets on malondialdehyde-modified LDL (MDA-LDL), representing one oxidized type of LDL, were investigated by a single blind method. MDA-LDL level in the 200 mg (calculated as proanthocyanidin) group was significantly (p = 0.008) reduced compared to the basal level, 12 wk after the start of administration."

"These results suggested that tablets containing grape seed extract exerted reducing effects on oxidized LDL, and might be useful in preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as arteriosclerosis."

Reference:

Sano A, Uchida R, Saito M, Shioya N, Komori Y, Tho Y, Hashizume N. Beneficial effects of grape seed extract on malondialdehyde-modified LDL. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2007 Apr;53(2):174-82.

Research studies which highlight natural treatments for arthritis

2007-12-05T08:52:00.000-08:00

As I have been writing about osteoarthritis and natural treatment options at this blog, I thought it would be useful to highlight some of the recent posts on this topic. I wouldn't really call this a "top 10 natural arthritis treatment options" type of post, yet there are ten recent posts about this topic.

Some of the studies on these treatment modalities suggest that the options listed are effective for treating joint pain, yet others are equivocal.

The following posts contain clinical trial studies on these various forms of natural arthritis treatments.

Glucosamine FACS

2007-12-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

Gout and cardiovascular risk

2007-12-05T07:06:00.000-08:00

When I think back to medical school, I can recall a professor mentioning that gout used to be called, "the disease of kings." The reason that it was described as such, is that some of the risk factors for gout include the consumption of too much alcohol and meat. Simply think of a king feasting on steak and imbibing on red wine. Though gout most commonly affects the large toe with symptoms including sharp pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness, it may also affect other joints including your foot, ankle, or knee.

In addition, to the traditional concern over joint damage that may be caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in your joints that causes the symptoms of gout, new research suggests that there may be additional consequences of gout. A very recent study published in the journal, Angiology, highlights the association between gout, uric acid, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). In particular, the study authors concluded that a self reported history of gout is associated with a modest, but statistically significant risk of PAD (Baker et al, 2007). Previous research by the same author (Baker et al, 2005), already highlights the association between high serum uric acid levels and cardiovascular disease.

References:

1. Baker JF, Schumacher HR, Krishnan E. Serum uric acid level and risk for peripheral arterial disease: analysis of data from the multiple risk factor intervention trial. Angiology. 2007 Aug-Sep;58(4):450-7.

2. Baker JF, Krishnan E, Chen L, et al: Serum uric acid and cardiovascular disease: recent velopments, and where do they leave us? Am J Med 118:816-826,2005.

Glucosamine: effects on recovery following an acute knee injury.

2007-12-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

The results of a recent clinical trial by Ostojic et al (2007), studied the effects of 4 weeks of glucosamine administration in athletes following an acute knee injury. Though glucosamine therapy did not impact mean pain intensity during the 4 week treatment course, it did have a statistically significant improvement in knee flexibility following 28 days of treatment.

Reference:
Ostojic SM, Arsic M, Prodanovic S, Vukovic J, Ziatanovic M. Glucosamine administration in athletes: effects on recovery of acute knee injury. Res Sports Med. 2007 Apr-Jun; 15(2):113-24.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Glucosamine.

2007-11-29T10:52:00.000-08:00

Glucosamine, a commonly used dietary supplement, is often found in various joint health products in combination with other dietary supplements. Glucosamine supplements are primarily used by people who suffer from arthritis or who take the supplement to maintain their joint health. Since consumer use of glucosamine is increasing, it’s important that consumers are well informed about the different types of glucosamine as well as the latest research on glucosamine.

In a recent article which was published in the medical journal, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, (Hopman et al, 2006), the study authors noted that glucosamine use was increasing dramatically in Canada and they sought to find out which factors were associated with glucosamine use. Not surprisingly, they found that glucosamine use was higher among the elderly as the incidence of arthritis increases dramatically with age. They also noted that glucosamine use was higher among people who take calcium supplements, engage in physical activity, or who have a prior history of glucosamine use. Many of these factors seem to fit the pattern of people who are taking proactive measures to maintain their joint health.

There are three main types of glucosamine currently on the market:
1. Glucosamine Sulfate--This is the most researched type of glucosamine and has the largest amount of clinical trial data supporting its efficacy.
2. Glucosamine Hydrochloride--Many suppliers of this ingredient tout it as having a "lower molecular weight" and concluded that it is therefore "better absorbed" than glucosamine sulfate. However, in the largest study on glucosamine hydrochloride, which was independently funded by the NIH, glucosamine hydrochloride failed to show any benefits over placebo (Clegg et al, 2006). Many researchers have hypothesized that the sulfate moiety or component plays an important role in the activity of glucosamine.
3. N-acetyl glucosamine--there is sparse clinical trial data on this type of glucosamine and it is not commonly used by manufacturers.

In this recent article, published in the medical journal, Arthritis and Rheumatism (Vlad et al, 2007), the study authors sought to explain the heterogeneity of clinical trial results on glucosamine. Essentially, they endeavored to explain why many randomized clinical trials on glucosamine have found that it works, yet some clinical trials have conflicting results. Essentially, part of the reason for this discrepancy is that the clinical trials on glucosamine products include trials on glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. Among their explanations for the heterogeneity of clinical trial results was the simple conclusion that "glucosamine hydrochloride is not effective."

Does glucosamine actually work?
Herrero-Beaumont et al (2007), conducted a recent study which involved 318 patients who were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized control trial for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) during a six month treatment course. The study itself compared glucosamine sulfate treatment not only to placebo, but additionally to acetaminophen in these patients. The study found that glucosamine sulfate is more effective than placebo in treating knee OA symptoms including pain and stiffness. The study findings reached the level of statistical significance over a 6 month period. What’s interesting about this study is that Acetaminophen actually failed to show a statistically significant effect when compared to placebo for treating OA pain.

What is the latest theory on how glucosamine actually works?
A recent study (Menis et al, 2007) reveals one potential mechanism through which sulfated glucosamine may act to suppress osteoarthritis. This particular study highlights the antioxidant activity of sulfated glucosamine on reducing oxidative stress in chondrocytes (cartilage cells). The study authors concluded, “…it is suggested that potential effects of sulfated glucosamine in controlling osteoarthritis might be partly via mechanisms involving direct scavenging of cellular radical species and alteration of oxidation mediated destructive events" (Menis et al, 2007). The implications of this study include the possibility that glucosamine may actually reduce cellular damage caused by oxidative stress on chondrocytes and therefore potentially act not only as a symptom modifying agent, but more importantly as a disease modifying agent in the treatment of osteoarthritis. To clarify, this means that glucosamine sulfate may not only improve osteoarthritis symptoms including pain or stiffness, but may actually slow the progression of the disease.

Is glucosamine use safe in people with diabetes?
Many joint health products, including Arthroleve, which contain glucosamine sulfate caution use in people who have diabetes. The reason for this caution is that glucosamine is actually a type of sugar which could theoretically affect blood sugar levels. However, though this is a theoretical concern, a recent clinical trial on glucosamine use in patients with diabetes concluded, "oral glucosamine at standard doses for 6 weeks does not cause or significantly worsen insulin resistance or endothelial dysfunction in lean or obese subjects" (Muniyappa et al, 2006).

References:

1. Clegg DO, Reda DJ, Harris CL, Klein MA, O'Dell JR, Hooper MM, Bradley JD, Bingham CO 3rd, Weisman MH, Jackson CG, Lane NE, Cush JJ, Moreland LW, Schumacher HR Jr, Oddis CV, Wolfe F, Molitor JA, Yocum DE, Schnitzer TJ, Furst DE, Sawitzke AD, Shi H, Brandt KD, Moskowitz RW, Williams HJ. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med. 2006 Feb 23;354(8):795-808.

2. Herrero-Beaumont G, Ivorra JA, Del Carmen Trabado M, Blanco FJ, Benito P, Martín-Mola E, Paulino J, Marenco JL, Porto A, Laffon A, Araújo D, Figueroa M, Branco J. Glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using acetaminophen as a side comparator. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Feb;56(2):555-67.

3.Hopman WM, Towheed TE, Gao Y, Berger C, Joseph L, Vik SA, Hanley DA, Carran J, Anastassiades T. Prevalence of and factors associated with glucosamine use in Canada. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006 Dec;14(12):1288-93. Epub 2006 Jul 10

4. Mendis E, Kim MM, Rajapakse N, Kim SK. Sulfated glucosamine inhibits oxidation of biomolecules in cells via a mechanism involving intracellular free radical scavenging. Eur J Pharmacol. 2007 Oct 25;

5. Muniyappa R, Karne RJ, Hall G, Crandon SK, Bronstein JA, Ver MR, Hortin GL, Quon MJ. Oral glucosamine for 6 weeks at standard doses does not cause or worsen insulin resistance or endothelial dysfunction in lean or obese subjects. Diabetes. 2006 Nov;55(11):3142-50.

6. Vlad SC, LaValley MP, McAlindon TE, Felson DT. Glucosamine for pain in osteoarthritis: why do trial results differ? Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Jul;56(7):2267-77.

New study highlights the antioxidant activity of sulfated glucosamine

2007-11-28T10:11:00.000-08:00

The following study reveals one potential mechanism through which sulfated glucosamine may act to suppress osteoarthritis. This particular study highlights the antioxidant activity of sulfated glucosamine on reducing oxidative stress in chondrocytes (cartilage cells). The implications of this study include the possibility that glucosamine may actually reduce celluar damage caused by oxidative strees on chondrocytes and therefore potentially act not only as a symptom modifying agent, but more importantly as a disease modifying agent in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

"Although, several effects of glucosamine and its sulfated form (sulfated glucosamine) have been proposed for the suppression of osteoarthritis, their exact mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. This study explains the novel possibility of involvement of sulfated glucosamine in improving cellular antioxidant potential and thereby controlling oxidative damage that could be effective for its therapeutic potential in osteoarthritis.

Treatment with sulfated glucosamine to human chondrocytes and macrophages inhibited radical simulated oxidation of membrane lipids, proteins and DNA in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, detection of reactive oxygen species by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluororescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescence probe clearly confirmed effective radical scavenging potential of sulfated glucosamine in cellular and non-cellular systems.

More importantly, NF-kappaB reporter gene assay and western blot analysis revealed that sulfated glucosamine inhibits radical mediated expression and activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) proteins (transcription factor involves in expression of a number of genes related to osteoarthritis). Further, sulfated glucosamine enhanced reduced glutathione (GSH) level in oxidatively stressed human chondrocytes improving cellular redox balance. In conclusion, it is suggested that potential effects of sulfated glucosamine in controlling osteoarthritis might be partly via mechanisms involving direct scavenging of cellular radical species and alteration of oxidation mediated destructive events" (Menis et al, 2007).

Reference:

Mendis E, Kim MM, Rajapakse N, Kim SK. Sulfated glucosamine inhibits oxidation of biomolecules in cells via a mechanism involving intracellular free radical scavenging. Eur J Pharmacol. 2007 Oct 25;

Does Tomato lycopene extract reduce cancer risk?

2007-11-26T10:28:00.000-08:00

The results of a recent clinical trial support the assertion that consuming tomato lycopene extract may prevent certain types of cancer:
"Epidemiological studies have shown that high serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I are associated with an increased risk of colon and other types of cancer.

The aim of this study was to determine whether short intervention with dietary tomato lycopene extract will affect serum levels of the insulin-like growth factor system components in colon cancer patients. The study had a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design.

Given that high plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-I have been suggested as a risk factor for various types of cancer including colon cancer, the results support our suggestion that tomato lycopene extract has a role in the prevention of colon and possibly other types of cancer" (Walfisch et al, 2007)

Reference:
Walfisch S, Walfisch Y, Kirilov E, Linde N, Mnitentag H, Agbaria R, Sharoni Y, Levy J. Tomato lycopene extract supplementation decreases insulin-like growth factor-I levels in colon cancer patients. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2007 Aug;16(4):298-303.

Are you taking the wrong type of glucosamine?

2007-11-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

Glucosamine is a ubiquitous and widely studied ingredient in many joint health products. I've written previous articles on the different types of glucosamine used in joint health products (sulfate, hydrochloride, and n-acetyl glucosamine).

A recent article (Vlad et al, 2007) supports my previous conclusions on the ingredient glucosamine hydrochloride. In this recent article, published in the medical journal, Arthritis and Rheumatism, the study others sought to explain the heterogeneity of clinical trial results on glucosamine. Essentially, they endeavored to explain why many randomized clinical trials on glucosamine have found that it works, yet some clinical trials have conflicting results. Essentially, part of the reason for this discrepancy is that the clinical trials on glucosamine products include trials on glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. Among their explanations was the simple conclusions that "glucosamine hydrochloride is not effective."

Make sure that your joint health product includes glucosamine sulfate. Glucosamine sulfate is found in the Arthroleve formulation. Visit http://www.arthroleve.com/ for information on our latest offers! We now offer free shipping for our Home Delivery Plan customers.

References:
Vlad SC, LaValley MP, McAlindon TE, Felson DT. Glucosamine for pain in osteoarthritis: why do trial results differ? Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Jul;56(7):2267-77.

Arthroleve contains glucosamine sulfate. Visit: www.arthroleve.com today for a free trial!

Which type of exercise is best for knee osteoarthritis?

2007-11-14T10:07:00.000-08:00

The results of a very recent study concluded that water-based exercises were superior to land based exercises for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. If you suffer from OA of the knee, you may want to talk your healthcare provider about appropriate water-based exercises.

"Both water-based and land-based exercises reduced knee pain and increased knee function in participants with OA of the knee. Hydrotherapy was superior to land-based exercise in relieving pain before and after walking during the last follow-up. Water-based exercises are a suitable and effective alternative for the management of OA of the knee" (Silva et al, 2007).

References:
1. Silva LE, Valim V, Pessanha AP, Oliveira LM, Myamoto S, Jones A, Natour J. Hydrotherapy Versus Conventional Land-Based Exercise for the Management of Patients With Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Phys Ther. 2007 Nov 6;

Glucosamine and Diabetes

2007-11-06T11:40:00.001-08:00

Many joint health products (including Arthroleve) which contain glucosamine caution use in people who have diabetes as glucosamine is type of sugar which could theoretically affect blood sugar levels. However, a recent study concluded, "oral glucosamine at standard doses for 6 weeks does not cause or significantly worsen insulin resistance or endothelial dysfunction in lean or obese subjects" (Muniyappa et al, 2006).

References

1. Muniyappa R, Karne RJ, Hall G, Crandon SK, Bronstein JA, Ver MR, Hortin GL, Quon MJ. Oral glucosamine for 6 weeks at standard doses does not cause or worsen insulin resistance or endothelial dysfunction in lean or obese subjects. Diabetes. 2006 Nov;55(11):3142-50.

Different Types of Glucosamine

2007-11-06T10:43:00.000-08:00

I recently came across an interesting article which was published in the medical journal, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, in 2006 (Hopman et al). The authors of the study had noted that glucosamine use was increasing dramatically in Canada and they sought to find our which factors were associated with glucosamine use. The noted that glucosamine is often used by people that suffer from arthritis, back pain, or simply seek to maintain their joint health.

Not surprisingly, they found that glucosamine use was higher among the elderly. The incidence of arthritis increases dramatically with age. The also noted that glucosamine use was higher among people who take calcium supplements, engage in physical activity, and who have a prior history of glucosamine use. Many of these factors seem to fit the pattern of people who are taking proactive measures to maintain their joint health.

How many types of glucosamine are commonly taken by consumers?

There are three main types of glucosamine currently on the market:

1. Glucosamine Sulfate--This is the most researched type of glucosamine and has the largest amount of clicinical trial data supporting its efficacy.

2. Glucosamine Hydrocholoride--Many suppliers of this ingredient tout it as having a "lower molecular weight" and concluced that it is therefore "better absorbed" than glucosamine sulfate. However, in the largest study on glucosamine hydrochloride, which was independently funded by the NIH, glucosamine hydrochoride failed to show any benefits over placebo (Clegg et al, 2006). Many researchers have hypothesized that the sulfate moiety or component plays an important role in the activity of glucosamine.

3. N-acetyl glucosamine--there is sparse clinical trial data on this type of glucosamine and it is not commonly used by manufacturers.

In addition to the different types of glucosamine used in joint health product, there are also different grades of quality and different sources of glucosamine sulfate. Dietary supplements are also manufactured under different quality control regulations. For example, is your glucosamine supplement made in a GMP approved facility in the USA, or in a unregulated facility in China?

Arthroleve ULT(TM) is made with glucosamine sulfate and is manufactured in a GMP approved environment in the United States. http://www.arthroleve.com/.

References:

1. Hopman WM, Towheed TE, Gao Y, Berger C, Joseph L, Vik SA, Hanley DA, Carran J, Anastassiades T. Prevalence of and factors associated with glucosamine use in Canada. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006 Dec;14(12):1288-93. Epub 2006 Jul 10

2. Clegg DO, Reda DJ, Harris CL, Klein MA, O'Dell JR, Hooper MM, Bradley JD, Bingham CO 3rd, Weisman MH, Jackson CG, Lane NE, Cush JJ, Moreland LW, Schumacher HR Jr, Oddis CV, Wolfe F, Molitor JA, Yocum DE, Schnitzer TJ, Furst DE, Sawitzke AD, Shi H, Brandt KD, Moskowitz RW, Williams HJ. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med. 2006 Feb 23;354(8):795-808.

Whether or not weather affects your arthritis pain?

2007-11-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

Whether or not weather affects your arthritis pain?

Does weather really affect the severity of your joint pain? Though, I've often wondered this myself, intuitively I've often felt quite sure that there is a relationship between weather conditions and my own joint pain. In fact, most people with arthritis assert with conviction that weather conditions do influence the severity of their pain (Laborde et al, 1986).

Despite our strongly held convictions with respect to the question as to whether or not weather impacts the severity of joint pain, I recently read a clinical trial which tested this hypothesis. In a recent article published in the American Journal of Medicine (McAlindon et al, 2007), they studied 200 geographically isolated individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee. Not surprisingly, their study results confirmed that both cold weather as well as increases in atmospheric pressure are both associated with an increase in joint pain severity.In addition to these recent findings, they also offered some plausible explanations of why cold weather as well as increases in barometric pressure have an impact on arthritis pain severity.

They hypothesized that cold temperatures, for example, could have a direct effect on the viscosity of synovial fluid or indirect effects on inflammatory mediators. Basically, this means that cold temperatures could increase the viscosity or thickness of your joint fluid in much the same way that cold temperatures would affect the oil that you use to lubricate your car's engine. In terms of how barometric pressure affects your arthritis pain, they had some ideas in this regard as well. They cited cadaver studies which show that the intraarticular pressure (pressure inside of your joint) is actually much lower than atmospheric pressure.

Consequently, increases in barometric pressure may actually affect your joint biomechanics. Now that we've established the association between cold weather, increases in barometric pressure, and joint pain, where does that leave us? If you are one of the millions of Canadians or Americans who suffer from Arthritis, now that winter is upon us, there are two simple options for minimizing the impact of weather on your arthritis pain. The simplest solution, particularly if you live in very cold weather climate, is to minimize your exposure to the outdoors--as much as possible. At the very least, be cognizant of how your exposure to the cold affects your joint pain. Secondly, if possible, it gives you one more excuse to take a warm vacation during the winter months.

Please visit: http://www.arthroleve.com/ regularly to find out information on our upcoming special offers.

McAlindon T, Formica M, Schmid CH, Fletcher J. Changes in barometric pressure and ambient temperature influence osteoarthritis pain. Am J Med. 2007 May;120(5):429-34.Laborde JM,

Dando WA, Powers MJ. Influence of weather on osteoarthritis. Soc Sci Med. 1986; 23(6):549-554.

Balneotherapy for osteoarthritis.

2007-11-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Balneotherapy for osteoarthritis.

I certainly hope that the first question that you are asking yourself is the very same question that I asked myself when I came across this very recent study... The question that came to my mind was, "what on earth is balneotherapy?"

Balneotherapy, to my recent understanding is a broadly defined term encompassing the various types of therapy pertaining to spas. In this recent cochrane review, they attempted to review various clinical trials which were conducted on varying forms of mineral bath treatments for arthritis.

One challenge with randomized clinical trials that evaluate unconventional treatment forms is that it is often difficult to create an adequate placebo. For example, with a clinical trial involving tablet type medication, you can make a placebo tablet that looks, tastes, and feels exactly the same as the medication tablet. However, whether the clinical trial is attempting to evaluate a treatment method such as tai chi, spa baths, or meditation, these types of treatment options do not fit into the conventional evaluation methods preferred by physicians.

Just try to imagine what type of placebo comparision one would actually use for a randomized clinical trial for tai chi. A group of people engaged in fake tai chi? Well, actually no. Current comparison methods include people that are on a waiting list for a treatment who do not receive any treatment interventions. The problem with using a waiting list of patients as a comparison group is that the trial is no longer blinded. The people who are conducting the clinical trial know exactly which group received the intervention and which group did not. As well, the people that are in the trial themselves also know that they are receiving an intervention. Further, many of these types of trials have the additional problem that people who enroll in the study will simply drop out if they are not randomized to the tai chi group, for example. All of these problems as well as others create bias in evaluating these types of treatments.

When I think back to my childhood, I can recall playing with a toy which I believe is made by Fisher-Price. It was a spherical piece of plastic with various shaped holes built into the hollow sphere. The toy came with correspondingly shaped objects with the ultimate goal of fitting these little pieces of plastic into the sphere. Though the attempt to evaluate unconventional treatment options with our current type of clinical trials is noble, much like trying to place the star shaped object into the square hole of the toy that I played with when I was a toddler, it simply just doesn't fit and the efforts to make it fit are fruitless. Here is an example of the fruitless efforts of the esteemed cochrane collaboration in evaluating several clinical trials on balneotherapy:

"AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found silver level evidence (www.cochranemsk.org) concerning the beneficial effects of mineral baths compared to no treatment. Of all other balneological treatments no clear effects were found. However, the scientific evidence is weak because of the poor methodological quality and the absence of an adequate statistical analysis and data presentation. Therefore, the noted "positive findings" should be viewed with caution." (Verhagen et al, 2007).

What is the alternative method for evaluating alternative treatments? Common sense! Provided that the alternative treatment is safe, has no contraindications, you have no medical reason for not trying it, and that it isn't excessively expensive, give it a try and if it works for you, keep doing it--if it doesn't work, then stop.

So if you are one of my blog readers who suffers from arthritis, you can consider many options--sign up for a tai chi class, throw some mineral salts into a warm hot bath, if you find that helps to relieve your arthritic pain, maybe keep doing it, if it doesn't then stop. It's that simple!

Reference:
Verhagen A, Bierma-Zeinstra S, Boers M, Cardoso J, Lambeck J, de Bie R, de Vet H. Balneotherapy for osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Oct 17;4:CD006864.

Byetta (Exenatide) from Eli Lilly for Type 2 diabetes

2007-10-31T07:26:00.000-07:00

In some of my earlier posts, you can read about the association between diabetes and osteoarthritis risk. One of the common risk factors for both type II diabetes as well as osteoarthritis is obesity. Not only does obesity put added strain on one's joints, but it increases the risk of insulin resistance.

For patients that have both of these conditions, an important treatment option to discuss with your health care provider is the drug Byetta (Exenatide). It is a new diabetes treatment from Eli Lilly and Amylin that is extracted from the saliva of the Gila monster received approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Unfortunately, many patients with type II diabetes will not like the route of administration for Byetta. However, I heard on the news just this morning that three pharmaceutical companies are developing a once a week type of dosing for the drug which they anticipate being available in 2008/9.

In terms of patients with both type II diabetes and osteoarthritis, one important side effect of Byetta is that it may actually cause weight loss. This is clearly beneficial to both conditions.

"Exenatide is the first in a new class of compounds, which possess similar activity to the naturally-occurring hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). It mirrors many of the effects of GLP-1, improving glycaemic control through a combination of mechanisms, which include glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion, suppression of glucagon secretion, slowing of gastric emptying and reduced appetite. Phase III clinical trials showed exenatide therapy for 30 weeks significantly reduced glycated haemoglobin, and fasting and postprandial plasma glucose compared with baseline when added to metformin and sulfonylureas or a combination of the two, with an average weight loss of approximately 2 kg.

Exenatide can also be used in combination with thiazolidinediones and may be an alternative to insulin in patients requiring additional therapy. In patients with established Type 2 diabetes, control of both glycaemia and body weight are important to minimise the risk of future diabetes complications. Open-label extensions from these pivotal trials demonstrate that patients treated with exenatide for 'less than or equal to' 3 years sustained the reductions in glycaemic control achieved at 30 weeks and had a progressive reduction in body weight. Exenatide is generally well tolerated; nausea is the most commonly reported side effect, but can be significantly reduced when a target dose of exenatide is achieved in patients with gradual dose titration.

Hypoglycaemia has been encountered in clinical trials of exenatide, especially on initiation of therapy with sulfonylureas (not with metformin). Exenatide may enable patients with Type 2 diabetes to improve glycaemic control and reduce or eliminate the risk of hypoglycaemia and weight gain."

Reference:

Barnett A. Exenatide. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2007 Oct;8(15):2593-608.

Glucosamine use in pregnancy: an evaluation of pregnancy outcome.

2007-10-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

"CONCLUSIONS: These limited data suggest no increased risk for major malformations or other adverse fetal effects following the use of GLS during pregnancy. "

Sivojelezova A, Koren G, Einarson A. Glucosamine use in pregnancy: an evaluation of pregnancy outcome. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2007 Apr;16(3):345-8.

S-adenosylmethionine for osteoarthritis

2007-10-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

S-adenosylmethionine for osteoarthritis?

A recent study published in the journal, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, compared the efficacy of SAMe to Celexocib for the management of knee osteoarthritis. The study authors concluded that SAMe was as effective as celexocib for treating patients with this medical condition.

From the study authors:

"CONCLUSION: SAMe has a slower onset of action but is as effective as celecoxib in the management of symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Longer studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of SAMe and the optimal dose to be used" (Najm et al, 2004).

Reference:

Najm WI, Reinsch S, Hoehler F, Tobis JS, Harvey PW. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) versus celecoxib for the treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms: a double-blind cross-over trial. [ISRCTN36233495]. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2004 Feb 26;5:6.

SAMe is found in the patent-pending Arthroleve formulation. For a free sample box, visit: www.arthroleve.com

Relationship between arthritis pain and sleep disturbance

2007-10-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

Here's the conclusions of another recent study regarding adequate pain control on sleep disturbances in patients with osteoarthritis which underscores the importance of adequate pain control to improve quality of sleep.

"In patients with chronic osteoarthritis pain, pain reduction is associated with decreased pain-related sleep disturbance" (Kosinski et al, 2007).

Kosinski M, Janagap C, Gajria K, Schein J, Freedman J. Pain relief and pain-related sleep disturbance with extended-release tramadol in patients with osteoarthritis. Curr Med Res Opin. 2007 Jul;23(7):1615-26.

The Longitudinal Examination of Arthritis Pain (LEAP) Study

2007-10-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

A recent study (LEAP study) highlights the impact on arthritis pain on patients daily lives including work absenteeism, sleep interference, and daily activities:

"Weekly fluctuations in pain levels and other health outcomes were identified among adults with OA. Decreases in patient-reported pain were associated with improvements in daily activities/functioning and decreases in work absenteeism, sleep interference, and healthcare resource use" (Hutchings et al, 2007).

Reference:

Hutchings A, Calloway M, Choy E, Hooper M, Hunter DJ, Jordan JM, Zhang Y, Baser O, Long S, Palmer L. The Longitudinal Examination of Arthritis Pain (LEAP) Study: Relationships Between Weekly Fluctuations in Patient-Rated Joint Pain and Other Health Outcomes. J Rheumatol. 2007 Oct 15;

Cell-based cartilage repair: illusion or solution for osteoarthritis.

2007-10-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

One treatment option for osteoarthritis which is not widely used yet, but may offer hope for people who suffer from osteoarthritis in the near future, is cell-based cartilage repair. I will keep my blog readers up to date on recent developments in stem-cell therapies for osteoarthritis.

Reference:

Richter W. Cell-based cartilage repair: illusion or solution for osteoarthritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2007 Sep;19(5):451-6.

Osteoarthritis: a comorbid marker for longer life?

2007-10-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

Interestingly, a recent study compared the mortality rate of different chronic conditions in patients with or without osteoarthritis. In the various disease groups, lower mortality rates were observed in the patients who additionally had osteoarthritis. Further research is required to confirm and better understand this association.

"Diseases are often described and studied as if they occur in isolation of other disease states, yet many individuals have multiple chronic conditions" (Lee et al, 2007).

"In summary, osteoarthritis was remarkably consistent in its association with a 20% to 35% reduction in 5-year mortality rates in U.S. veterans when present with different combinations of chronic conditions, whereas COPD unsurprisingly increased the risk of mortality. Given that positive spillover effects of osteoarthritis on mortality have not been previously reported in the literature, further research is warranted to confirm or refute these findings and to examine possible reasons for the observed results, such as NSAID use conferring a survival benefit or a healthy lifestyle/health worker effect" (Lee et al, 2007).

Reference:

Lee TA, Pickard AS, Bartle B, Weiss KB. Osteoarthritis: a comorbid marker for longer life? Ann Epidemiol. 2007 May;17(5):380-4.

Glucoamine Sulfate for Knee Osteoarthritis

2007-10-23T13:18:00.001-07:00

•In this study, 318 patients were enrolled in this randomized control trial for patients with Knee osteoarthritis (OA) during a six month treatment course.
•Findings: glucosamine sulfate is more effective than placebo in treating knee OA symptoms. Reached the level of statistical significance over 6 month period.
•What’s interesting about this study is that Acetaminophen actually failed to show a statistically significant effect compared to placebo for treating OA pain.

Reference:

Herrero-Beaumont G, Ivorra JA, Del Carmen Trabado M, Blanco FJ, Benito P, Martín-Mola E, Paulino J, Marenco JL, Porto A, Laffon A, Araújo D, Figueroa M, Branco J. Glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using acetaminophen as a side comparator. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Feb;56(2):555-67.

Of the vegetables and fruit food group, which component may bemore important for your joint health--Vegetables or Fruit?

2007-10-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

The consumption of both vegetables and fruit are both very important to maintain our overall health. However, in terms of the health of our joints, a recent study suggests that fruit consumption may play a more important role than vegetables (Wang et al, 2007).

"Intake of vegetables and other carotenoids was not significantly associated with cartilage or bone measures. The present study suggests a beneficial effect of fruit consumption and vitamin C intake as they are associated with a reduction in bone size and the number of bone marrow lesions, both of which are important in the pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis" (Wang et al, 2007).

If you suffer from arthritis, make sure that you maintain an adquate intake of fruit!

As I am Canadian, here's a link for a free copy of the Canada Food Guide for a reference:

Reference:

Wang Y, Hodge AM, Wluka AE, English DR, Giles GG, O'sullivan R, Forbes A, Cicuttini FM. Effect of antioxidants on knee cartilage and bone in healthy, middle-aged subjects: a cross-sectional study. Arthritis Res Ther. 2007 Jul 6;9(4):R66

Could folic acid fortication of food affect patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis?

2007-10-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

Folic acid is a B vitamin which is found in green, leafy vegetables. Pregnant women are often advised to take folic acid during their pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Some evidence also suggests that folic acid supplementation may reduce the risks of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Moreover, some clinical trials have found that low levels of folic acid are associated with clinical depression.

Dietary fortification with folic acid has been used in the United States since 1997 to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in newborn babies.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating condition which has a world wide distribution with an estimated incidence of 1-2% of the population. Disability is very high amongst patients with rheumatoid arthritis with approximately 60% being unable to work ten years after the onset of the disease. However, folic acid supplementation could theoretically reduce the effectiveness of anti-folate medications such as methotrexate. In fact, a recent study concluded that, "folic acid supplementation may contribute to higher MTX dosing in patients with RA" (Arabelovic et al, 1007).

Arabelovic S, Sam G, Dallal GE, Jacques PF, Selhub J, Rosenberg IH, Roubenoff R. Preliminary evidence shows that folic Acid fortification of the food supply is associated with higher methotrexate dosing in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Oct;26(5):453-5.

Results of a study just published links diet with osteoarthritis risk

2007-10-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA):

A study just recently published in the medical journal, Osteoarthritis Cartilage, found a link between higher intakes of monounsaturated fatty acids and bone marrow lesions. Bone marrow lesions are important in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (Wang et al, 2007).

What does this mean?

When I was in medical school, one type of diet gaining popularity was the Mediterranean diet (Spain, Italy, and Greece). This particular diet was of interested as people in this region were noted to have lower levels of cholesterol and a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. People in this region consume reasonably large quantities of Olive Oil, which has a high MUFA content. Not surprisingly, there is a high content of MUFAs in this Mediterranean diet.

A diet high in MUFA (versus a high-carbohydrate diet) improves glycemic control in individuals with adult onset diabetes (NIDDM) who maintain body weight.
Individuals with elevated triglycerides or insulin levels also may benefit from a high-MUFA diet.
Additionally, there is epidemiological evidence that dietary MUFAs have a beneficial effect on the risk of coronary heart disease.

However, despite the numerous potential benefits of MUFAs, there is some preliminary evidence that they may have adverse effect on your joint health. However, the risk of MUFAs on bone marrow lesions is not firmly established and further studies are required.
If your health concerns include type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, or high cholesterol, you may want to discuss the Mediterranean Diet with your physician, dietitian, etc.

Wang Y, Wluka AE, Hodge AM, English DR, Giles GG, O'sullivan R, Cicuttini FM. Effect of fatty acids on bone marrow lesions and knee cartilage in healthy, middle-aged subjects without clinical knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007 Oct 13;

Question about myalgia (muscle pain)

2007-10-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

*Please refer to disclaimer text.

"Dr Morrow,

In was pleased to respond to your email of October 13 and filling out the customer satisfaction survey. As I have indicated, I'm delighted with Arthroleve. It is affording me relief from joint pain that I was unable to find anywhere else.
I do have a question for you, however: Do you know of any product that will successfully elevate pain in my arm muscles?
I have tried Co Enzyme A-10, I have temporarily discontinued Cholesterol-lowering medications like Lipitor for up to 3 weeks but I still have really bad pain in my biceps. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Perhaps University [Health Industries] produce a product that I should try.
Thank you for ant thoughts on my problem."

Thank you for your question. I would first strongly advise you to visit your doctor about these concerns. The most important thing is for your doctor to determine the cause of your myalgia. Muscle pain or myalgia can have a wide variety of causes, some of which can be serious, and many of which can be corrected. Your doctor should obtain a comprehensive medical history and perform a physical exam as well as some relevant investigations.

Has you doctor checked your (CPK) creatine phosphokinase level? Since you were taking a medication such as lipitor, which can cause a serious condition known as rhabdomyolysis, it is a very important test.

Some causes of muscle pain can include:

1. Electorlyte imballances including:
a)hypokalemia (low potassium levels) which can be identfied by blood work.
b)hypcalceimia (low calcium levels)
2. Medications which lower cholesterol (Statins)--very serious condition known as rhabdomyolysis.
3. Infections.
4. Fibromyalgia.
5. autoimmune disorders
6. Hypothryoidism

Call your doctor if:

Your muscle pain persists beyond 3 days
You have severe, unexplained pain
You have any sign of infection, like swelling or redness around the tender muscle
You have poor circulation in the area where you have muscles aches (for example, in your legs)
You have a tick bite or a rash
Your muscle pain has been associated with starting or changing doses of a medicine, such as a statin

Call 911 if:

You have sudden weight gain, water retention, or you are urinating less than usual
You are short of breath or have difficulty swallowing
You have muscle weakness or cannot move any part of your body
You have vomiting, a very stiff neck, or high fever

However, the most common cause of causes of muscle pains are sprains and strains. Sprains are injuries which occur to ligaments and strains are injuries to muscles themselves. Provided that you are under the medical care of your doctor, if he determines that the cause of the pain is related to a muscle strain, these are some simple treatment options...

Gout Information Links

2007-10-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

Medicinet:
http://www.medicinenet.com/gout/article.htm

WebMD:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/gout-topic-overview

Mayoclinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout/DS00090

Rheumatoid Arthritis Information Links

2007-10-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

Medicinet:
http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis/article.htm
Mayo Clinic:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020

WebMD:

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/default.htm

Osteoarthritis Information links

2007-10-16T07:16:00.000-07:00

Mayoclinic:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthritis/DS00019

Medicinet.com:

http://www.medicinenet.com/osteoarthritis/article.htm

Web MD:

http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/default.htm

Clinical Trial recruiting participants--Yoga for Rheumatoid Arthritis

2007-10-16T07:02:00.000-07:00

If you suffer from rheumatoid or an inflammatory type of arthritis, you may be interested in participating in this study.

Study sponsors: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Primary outcome measure: Quality of Life

Link for further information:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00349869;jsessionid=A0D67642B7E386977DCC0A637186F2D4?order=4

New smoking cessation treatment from Pfizer

2007-10-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

Two recent studies were published in the Journal of American Medical Association about a new drug for smoking cessation (Gonzales et al, 2006; Jorenby et al 2006). Unlike other approved treatments for smoking cessation including nictotine replacement therapy, or selectively inhibit the reuptake of dopamine (Bubrorpion), Chantix is a partial agonist of the alpha 4 Beata 2 nictotinic acetylcholine receptor.

In the study both of these studies, Chantix's efficacy exceeded buproprion SR and placebo (Jorenby et al, 2007). During the last four weeks of treatment, 43.9% of participants in the varenicline group were abstinent from smoking compared with 17.6% and 29% in the placebo and buprioprion SR groups respectively.

Gonzales D, Rennard SI, Nides M, Oncken C, Azoulay S, Billing CB, Watsky EJ, Gong J, Williams KE, Reeves KR; Varenicline Phase 3 Study Group. Varenicline, an alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, vs sustained-release bupropion and placebo for smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2006 Jul 5;296(1):47-55.

Jorenby DE, Hays JT, Rigotti NA, Azoulay S, Watsky EJ, Williams KE, Billing CB, Gong J, Reeves KR; Varenicline Phase 3 Study Group. Efficacy of varenicline, an alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, vs placebo or sustained-release bupropion for smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2006 Jul 5;296(1):56-63.

http://www.chantix.com/

Does enteric-coated aspirin result in a lower incidence of gastrointestinal complications compared to normal aspirin?

2007-10-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

Does enteric coating actually reduce the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in patienst who take aspirin?

"Five randomised controlled trials of healthy volunteers undergoing endoscopy after a period of either enteric-coated aspirin or plain aspirin administration all demonstrated a clear reduction of gastric mucosal injury. However, these trials on healthy volunteers taking short-term aspirin have not been supported by clinical studies in older age-group adults taking lower doses of aspirin for long periods.

No clinical benefits in terms of reduction of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration with enteric coating have, therefore, been successfully demonstrated, although the endoscopic studies show that potentially these benefits could exist."

Reference:
Walker J, Robinson J, Stewart J, Jacob S. Does enteric-coated aspirin result in a lower incidence of gastrointestinal complications compared to normal aspirin? Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2007 Aug;6(4):519-22. Epub 2007 Apr 6.

How to advise aspirin use in patients who need NSAIDs.

2007-10-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

Many patients who suffer from osteoarthritis taken prescription NSAIDS to treat their condition. NSAIDs carry a significant risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Selective Cox-2 inhibitors are believed to have a lower risk of GI bleeding, but carry a risk of serious thrombotic events.

Low dose Aspiring is used by many patients fr the prevention of cardiovascular events. At present, it is STILL UNKNOWN whether aspririn lowers the risk of cardiovascular events in patients who are taking selective COx-2 inhibitors...

"NSAIDs are widely used all over the world. NSAID use is rising due to increasing availability without a prescription, use of aspirin for prevention of thrombotic disorders and the ageing population. Aspirin is used as an analgesic drug in many countries, but the main current indication is low-dose aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular events. However, NSAIDs and aspirin use account for approximately 20-25% of all reported drug adverse events. Most of those are gastrointestinal including dyspepsia, hemorrhage, perforation and even death. The COX-2- selective inhibitors (coxibs) have demonstrated equivalent efficacy to nonspecific NSAIDs in the management of arthritis and pain but have less gastrointestinal adverse events, although coxibs and probably all NSAIDs, significantly increase risk of serious thromboembolic events.

Concomitant use of low-dose aspirin is present in more than 20% of all patients taking either NSAIDs or coxibs, thus increasing the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Furthermore, at present, it is not known whether aspirin decreases the cardiovascular risks of COX-2 inhibitors or NSAIDs.

Appropriate strategies for gastrointestinal risk reduction with NSAIDs and aspirin must consider the overall health status of our patients including the presence of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risk factors. Use of the lowest possible dose of these drugs, gastroprotectants, especially proton pump inhibitors and Helicobacter pylori eradication will reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects in patients taking low-dose aspirin and NSAIDs or coxibs."

Reference:

Sopena F, Lanas A. How to advise aspirin use in patients who need NSAIDs. Curr Pharm Des. 2007;13(22):2248-60.

Efficacy and safety of willow bark extract?

2007-10-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

"OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of a standardized willow bark extract in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). "

"CONCLUSION: The OA study suggested that the willow bark extract showed no relevant efficacy in patients with OA. Similarly, the RA trial did not indicate efficacy of this extract in patients with RA."

Biegert C, Wagner I, Lüdtke R, Kötter I, Lohmüller C, Günaydin I, Taxis K, Heide L.
Efficacy and safety of willow bark extract in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: results of 2 randomized double-blind controlled trials. J Rheumatol. 2004 Nov;31(11):2121-30.

Steroid injection for osteoarthritis of the hip: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

2007-10-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

"CONCLUSION: This placebo-controlled trial confirms that corticosteroid injection can be an effective treatment of pain in hip OA, with benefits lasting up to 3 months in many cases. Future studies should address questions related to the benefits of repeated steroid injection and the effects of this treatment on disease modification" (Lambert et al, 2007).

Lambert RG, Hutchings EJ, Grace MG, Jhangri GS, Conner-Spady B, Maksymowych WP. Steroid injection for osteoarthritis of the hip: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Jul;56(7):2278-87.

Safety and efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum (lingzhi) and San Miao San supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis:

2007-10-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

"Ganoderma lucidum or lingzhi, which in Chinese means herb of spiritual potency, is one form of the mushroom Ganoderma lucida, which has been used to treat all forms of ailments, and is the oldest mushroom known to have been used in ancient Chinese medicine. Lingzhi allegedly has multiple health benefits for a broad range of conditions from arthritis to cancers, and has therefore attained an unparalleled reputation in the East as the ultimate herbal substance" (Edmund et al, 2007).

"Nonetheless, the significant lowering of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-18 in patients seen after treatment ([36]) and the analgesic properties without any demonstrable adverse side effects are noteworthy and deserve further study" (Edmund et al, 2007).

Edmund K. Li 1 *, Lai-Shan Tam 1, Chun Kwok Wong 1, Wai Ching Li 1, Christopher W. K. Lam 1, Sissi Wachtel-Galor 2, Iris F. F. Benzie 3, Yi Xi Bao 3, Ping Chung Leung 4, Brian Tomlinson. Arthritis & Rheumatism. Safety and efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum (lingzhi) and San Miao San supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

Clinical effectiveness of a rehabilitation program integrating exercise, self-management, and active coping strategies for chronic knee pain

2007-10-08T08:24:00.000-07:00

A recent study compared a rehabilitation program which included exercise, self-management, patient education, and active coping strategies (Hurley et al, 2007). Here is a link for a detailed description of the intervention:

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/medicine/gppc/escape/

"We compared the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program integrating exercise, self-management, and active coping strategies (Enabling Self-management and Coping with Arthritic Knee Pain through Exercise [ESCAPE-knee pain]) with usual primary care in improving functioning in persons with chronic knee pain" (Hurley et al, 2007).

"Rehabilitated participants had better functioning than participants continuing usual primary care" (Hurley et al, 2007).

"For individuals with chronic knee pain, supplementing usual primary care with a personalized, progressive rehabilitation program integrating exercise, education, and active coping strategies (ESCAPE-knee pain) improved functioning for up to 6 months after completion of rehabilitation, regardless of whether it was delivered to individuals or small groups of patients" (Hurley et al, 2007).

Hurley MV, Walsh NE, Mitchell HL, Pimm TJ, Patel A, Williamson E, Jones RH, Dieppe PA, Reeves BC. Clinical effectiveness of a rehabilitation program integrating exercise, self-management, and active coping strategies for chronic knee pain: A cluster randomized trial. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Sep 28;57(7):1211-1219

Diacerein for osteoarthritis

2007-10-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

Alternative drug treatment for osteoarthritis?

Diacerein is a drug which is used to treat osteoarthritis. Unlike non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), Diacerein inhibits IL-1 an inflammatory mediator instead of acting on the cyclooxigenase (COX) enzymes.

Here is some of the latest information on Diacerein:

"Diacerein was as effective as piroxicam in reducing pain and improving function but, unlike piroxicam, displayed a carry-over effect and a better safety profile" (Loutrenoo et al, 2007).

"The level of quality of the evidence is 'gold'. It appears that diacerein has a small effect in improving pain and slowing the progress of osteoarthritis (in the hip). Diarrhoea is a common side effect of diacerein" (http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab005117.html)

Louthrenoo W, Nilganuwong S, Aksaranugraha S, Asavatanabodee P, Saengnipanthkul S, Thai Study Group . The efficacy, safety and carry-over effect of diacerein in the treatment of painful knee osteoarthritis: a randomised, double-blind, NSAID-controlled study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007 Jun;15(6):605-14. Epub 2007 Apr 19.

How does smoking cigaretts affect your joint health?

2007-10-04T11:05:00.001-07:00

Many of us are aware of how smoking can affect our lungs and cardiovascular system. One side-effect of smoking many of us may not be aware of is how it affects our joint health. In medical school, one of the first things that I've learned is that "quitting smoking is the single best thing that you can do for your health." Now, here's one more reason:

"Smoking leads to knee cartilage loss and defect development primarily in individuals with a family history of knee OA. This provides evidence for a gene-environment interaction in the etiology of knee OA" (Ding et al, 2007).

Ding C, Cicuttini F, Blizzard L, Jones G. Smoking interacts with family history with regard to change in knee cartilage volume and cartilage defect development. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 May;56(5):1521-8.

FACTS ABOUT ARTHROLEVE ULT™

2007-10-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

What is Arthroleve™?

Arthroleve ULT™ brings you the best in natural joint pain relief and cartilage repair without dangerous side effects.† Independent clinical trials report that the ingredients in Arthroleve™

· relieve bone and joint pain†
· support cartilage building and repair†
· improve joint function and stiffness†

Our physicians and pharmacologists formulated Arthroleve™ after months of reviewing university research studies worldwide. The result is a powerful nutraceutical that’s as effective as other joint pain products without risking damage to the digestive system, heart, liver, or other internal organs.†

Potent yet safe, each easy-to-swallow Arthroleve ULT™ caplet is made in America and meets stringent FDA pharmaceutical quality standards. It is available without a prescription.

Who should take Arthroleve™?

Arthroleve™ is recommended for adults suffering from

· joint or bone pain caused by trauma or excessive use
· joint or bone pain caused by strenuous or repetitive activity
· non-specific lower back pain (NSLBP)
· weakened bones and joints due to age or injury

Arthroleve™ is also beneficial for individuals who want to maintain and strengthen healthy joints.

What are the ingredients in Arthroleve™?

Each Arthroleve™ caplet contains 100 mg of S-adenosyl-l-methionine, 166.5 mg of Harpagophytum procumbens, and 200 mg of glucosamine sulfate.

S-adenosyl-l-methionine is a substance that occurs naturally in all living cells. It is formed from methionine (an essential amino acid) and adenosine triphosphate. Multiple clinical trials have shown that S-adenosyl-l-methionine reduces joint pain and inflammation as effectively as leading prescription products, and offers additional benefits for mood support and liver function.† Evidence suggests that S-adenosyl-l-methionine may play a role in reducing inflammation, increasing proteoglycan synthesis, and/or reducing pain (Najm et al, 2004). It is sold as a drug in Europe.

Harpagophytum procumbens (Hp) is from the devil’s claw plant, a medicinal herb used for generations in Africa and Europe for treating rheumatic complaints. It is believed to work in the same way as Cox-2 anti-inflammatory drugs. In clinical research, Harpagophytum procumbens has proven highly effective in reducing non-specific lower back pain. One recent study found that 20 percent of patients treated for low back pain with Harpagophytum procumbens were completely pain free after six weeks of treatment.

Glucosamine, derived from the exoskeletons of shrimp, crab, lobster, and other shellfish, is an essential material for repairing and maintaining cartilage. It lubricates joints by helping cartilage absorb and hold water. Research shows that glucosamine alleviates pain and protects joints as effectively as leading joint pain treatments, but without the dangerous side effects.How does Arthroleve™ work?Arthroleve™ helps repair and protect chondrocytes, the cells that produce joint cartilage. Its natural compounds suppress chemicals (matrix degrading enzymes) that interfere with cartilage production and contribute to pain and inflammation.

At the same time, Arthroleve™ nourishes the live chondrocytes with essential building blocks for new cartilage, thus supporting the repair and regeneration of connective tissue in the joint.

How can joint trauma cause chronic pain?

The cells that produce joint cartilage (chondrocytes) normally die off at a rate of less than one percent. However, within 48 hours of trauma to a joint, the cell death rate shoots up dramatically—sometimes rising as high as 37 percent. This increase in cell death stimulates enzymes that attack the cartilage in the joint. The damage to the cartilage “cushion” weakens the joint and can lead to chronic pain.

Who should not take Arthroleve™?

Arthroleve™ should not be used by people with ulcers, gallstones, diabetes, or allergies to shellfish. It has not been tested in children. Consult a physician before use if you are pregnant or nursing; have a history of depression, bipolar disorder, or other psychiatric illness; or are taking cardiac medication, blood thinners, or MAOI antidepressants.

How much should I take?

The baseline dosage is one caplet twice daily. For additional benefit, you may increase the dose to two caplets twice daily.Arthroleve™ is best taken on an empty stomach, but may be taken with food. Antacids may reduce the product’s effectiveness.

What are the possible side effects?

No serious side effects have been reported for the ingredients in Arthroleve™. Higher dosages may cause mild or occasional gastrointestinal upset, mainly diarrhea, in some individuals. If you experience an allergic reaction, discontinue use and consult a physician.

What is your guarantee?

University Lab Technology products are backed by our 100% money-back guarantee for first-time orders. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return the unused product within 30 days and we'll refund your purchase price, less shipping and handling.

How was Arthroleve™ developed?

Physicians and pharmacologists developed Arthroleve™ using the principles of evidence based medicine (EBM) and the results of clinical research from university laboratories worldwide.

Evidence based medicine involves examining a broad spectrum of evidence—such as meta-analyses, systematic reviews of existing research, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and other methods of inquiry—to make decisions about effective treatment and patient care.

What is a meta-analysis?

A meta-analysis collects data from many similar research studies, then analyzes the pooled data for statistical significance.

What scientific evidence was used to create Arthroleve™?

Below is a representative sample of the scientific evidence used in formulating patent-pending Arthroleve™.

S-adenosyl methionine

In a double-blind crossover trial, the authors concluded that S-adenosyl methionine is as effective as celecoxib (Celebrex®) in the management of symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (Najm WI et al, 2004).

A meta-analysis concluded that S-adenosyl methionine appears to be as effective as NSAIDS in reducing pain and improving functional limitation in patients with osteoarthritis without the adverse effects often associated with NSAID therapies (Soeken et al, 2003).

S-adenosyl methionine plays an important role in the liver, acting as a protective agent for oxidative stress. Patients with liver disease often become deficient and may benefit from the administration of this supernutrient (Liber, 2002).

Harpagophytu procumbens

A recent double-blind pilot study comparing Harpagophytum procumbens to rofecoxib (Vioxx®) found both treatment groups responded equally well in the treatment of lower back pain. The authors also found that 20 percent of the patients treated for low back pain with Harpagophytum procumbens were completely pain free after six weeks of treatment (Chrubasik et al, 2003).

In a recent review of the literature on Harpagophytum procumbens, the study authors concluded that there is strong evidence for its effectiveness in treating non-specific lower back pain (NSLBP) and moderate evidence for its effectiveness in treating osteoarthritis pain (Gagnier et al, 2004).

Glucosamine sulfate

In Drug Discovery Today, a 2004 review article concluded that glucosamine sulfate was effective in narrowing joint space, as a structure-modifying agent to protect joints, and in symptomatic relief of arthritic pain (Curtis et al, 2004).

A recent review of the scientific literature published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy concluded that available evidence suggests glucosamine sulfate may be effective and safe in improving symptoms and delaying the progression of knee osteoarthritis (Poolsup et al, 2005).

What is the NPA TruLabel Program?

The Natural Products Association (NPA) TruLabel program is the industry's most expansive and successful self-regulatory program.University Lab Technologies and other NPA members voluntarily pay for random monitored tests of their products by independent laboratories. If a test reveals any deficiency in product quality or accuracy in labeling, NPA immediately alerts the member company and expects it to take corrective action. NPA revokes the membership of any company that does not comply.

Who is University Health Industries?

Every year, research labs around the globe identify and test natural compounds with the potential to improve human health—yet more than 98 percent of these discoveries are never commercialized for the benefit of the public.

University Health Industries, Inc. (UHI), in collaboration with universities worldwide, researches natural compounds with clinically proven efficacy, identifies those with the greatest potential for enhancing human life, and then develops them into patented nutraceutical products for treating common chronic ailments. Developed by physicians and pharmacologists, UHI products contain ingredients that are selected using the principles of evidence-based medicine and the results of clinical studies around the globe. Our mission is to make the latest clinical discoveries in natural compounds available to consumers, delivered in patented pharmaceutical-grade formulations with guaranteed quality and potency. UHI is a proud American company with offices and manufacturing facilities in Boca Raton, Florida. All of our products are GMP-approved and made in the United States to ensure they adhere to standards the American public can trust.

What other nutraceuticals are available from UHI?

University Health Industries recently introduced three additional products, each developed with the same quality and efficacy standards as Arthroleve™:

· Zenstral PMS™ for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)†
· Premium SAMe ULT™ for mood support†
· Cold & Flu RMD ™ for immune system support and relief from the common cold†

Our physicians and pharmacologists are hard at work creating additional evidence-based nutraceutical products. For more information, or to receive product announcements and special offers by email, please visit www.arthroleve.com or http://www.ult.com/.

Scientific References

Chrubasik S, Model A, Black A, Pollak S. A randomized double-blind study comparing Doloteffin® and Vioxx® in the treatment of low back pain. Rheumatology. 2003:32;141-8.

Gagnier JJ, Chrubasik S, Manheimer E. Harpophytum procumbens for osteoarthritis and low back pain: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2004 Sep 15;4:13.

Poolsup N, Suthisisang C, Channark P, Kittikulsuth W. Glucosamine long-term treatment and the progression of knee osteoarthritis: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2005 June;39:1080-87.

Curtis CL, Harwood JL, Dent CD, Caterson B. Biological basis for benefit of nutraceutical supplementation in arthritis. Drug Discovery Today. 2004;9:16572.

Bressa GM. S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) as antidepressants: meta-analysis of clinical studies. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 1994;154:7-14.

Najm WI, Reinsch S, Hoehler F, Tobis JS, Harvery PW. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) versus celecoxib for the treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms: a double-blind cross-over trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2004 Feb 26;5(1):6.

Liber CS. S-adenosyl-L-methionine: its role in the treatment of liver disorders. AM J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(5):1183s-7s.

Setty AR, Sigal LH. Herbal medications commonly used in the practice of rheumatology: mechanisms of action, efficacy, and side effects. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Jun;34(6):773-84.

Jacobsen S., Dannekiold-Samsoe B, Andersen RB. Oral S-adenosylmethionine in primary fibromyalgia. Double-blind clinical evaluation. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 1991;20(4):294-302.

Williams Al, Girard C, Jui D, Sabrina A, Katz DL. S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) as treatment for depression: a systematic review. Clinical & Investigative Medicine – Medecine Clinique et Experimentale. 2005 June;28(3):132-9.

Soeken KL, Lee W, Bausell R, Anelli M, Berman BM. Safety and efficacy of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for osteoarthritis. ACP J Club. 2003 Jan-Feb;138(1):21.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

visit: www.arthroleve.com for a free trial!

Arthroleve October free trial offer

2007-10-03T12:08:00.001-07:00

Visit http://www.arthroleve.com/ for a free trial box.

Risedronate for treating osteoarthritis

2007-10-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

Risedronate for treating osteoarthritis?

Risedronate is a bisphosphonate type drug which is approved by the FDA for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. It has been recently evaluated for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
In animal models, some studies have shown that it has decreased pain and slowed the progression of arthritis. However, results in human trials have been less promising. Perhaps further research in this area is required.

"Although risedronate (compared with placebo) did not improve signs or symptoms of OA, nor did it alter progression of OA, a reduction in the level of a marker of cartilage degradation was observed. A sustained clinically relevant improvement in signs and symptoms was observed in all treatment and placebo groups" (Bingham et al, 2006).

Bingham CO 3rd, Buckland-Wright JC, Garnero P, Cohen SB, Dougados M, Adami S, Clauw DJ, Spector TD, Pelletier JP, Raynauld JP, Strand V, Simon LS, Meyer JM, Cline GA, Beary JF. Risedronate decreases biochemical markers of cartilage degradation but does not decrease symptoms or slow radiographic progression in patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee: results of the two-year multinational knee osteoarthritis structural arthritis study. Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Nov;54(11):3494-507.

Recent study comparing body mass index and skeletal muscle mass in relation to osteoarthritis risk

2007-10-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

What is the relationship to your body weight and osteoarthritis risk?

Two important factors contribute to our individual body weight, our skeletal muscle mass and our fat mass. Body mass index (BMI) is the most widely used measurement for obesity. The BMI approximates body mass using a mathematical ratio of weight and height [(weight in kg ÷ height in meters2).

BMI= weight in kg/height in meters (squared)

Here are the ranges for BMI:

Underweight (<18.5)

Normal Weight (18.5 - 24.9)

Overweight (25 - 29.9)

Obese(>30)

A recent study, not surprisingly, found that fat mass is a risk factor for osteoarthritis as extra body weight puts added stress on weight bearing joints such as the hip and knee joints (Sowers et al, 2007). However, skeletal muscle mass was found to have a protective effect on weight bearing joints. Therefore, they cautioned that interventions that simply focus on weight loss should be aware that this may negatively impact muscle mass (Sowers et al, 2007).

Sowers MF, Yosef M, Jamadar D, Jacobson J, Karvonen-Gutierrez C, Jaffe M. BMI vs body composition and radiographically defined osteoarthritis of the knee in women: a 4-year follow-up study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007 Sep 19;

Role of raloxifene as a potent inhibitor of experimental postmenopausal polyarthritis and osteoporosis.

2007-10-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

"In postmenopausal rheumatoid arthritis (RA), both estrogen deficiency and the inflammatory disease contribute to the development of generalized osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estradiol preserves bone mineral density (BMD) and ameliorates arthritis, but long-term therapy is no longer an option due to significant side effects. We therefore used a mouse model of human RA to test the hypothesis that a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), the raloxifene analog LY117018, could be beneficial in the treatment of both arthritis and osteoporosis" (Joschems et al, 2007).

"CONCLUSION: In a well-established model of postmenopausal RA, the raloxifene analog LY117018 potently inhibits the progression of arthritis and the associated development of osteoporosis, both in a prophylactic and in a therapeutic regimen. Since long-term HRT has been associated with significant side effects, raloxifene may be a useful adjuvant treatment for postmenopausal RA" (Joschems et al, 2007).

Jochems C, Islander U, Kallkopf A, Lagerquist M, Ohlsson C, Carlsten H.Role of raloxifene as a potent inhibitor of experimental postmenopausal polyarthritis and osteoporosis. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Sep 28;56(10):3261-3270.

Effect of Mindfulness-Based stress reduction in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

2007-10-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

"At 6 months, there was significant improvement in psychological distress and well-being (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively), and marginally significant improvement in depressive symptoms and mindfulness (P = 0.08 and P = 0.09, respectively)" (Pradhan et al, 2007).

"Mindfulness meditation may complement medical disease management by improving psychological distress and strengthening well-being in patients with RA" Pradhan et al, 2007).

Pradhan EK, Baumgarten M, Langenberg P, Handwerger B, Gilpin AK, Magyari T, Hochberg MC, Berman BM. Effect of Mindfulness-Based stress reduction in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Sep 28;57(7):1134-1142.

Women's shoes and Arthritis?

2007-10-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

How do wide heeled high heeled shoes or narrow heeled high shoes compare to walking barefoot on knee stress?

A fairly recent study found that wide high heeled shoes particularly put stress on the anatomical sites in the knee associated with osteoarthritis, even more so than narrow heeled high heeled shoes (Kerrigan et al, 2001).

Kerrigan DC, Lelas JL, Karvosky ME. Women's shoes and knee osteoarthritis. Lancet. 2001 Apr 7;357(9262):1097-8

Recent study exposes longitudinal risk factors for femoral cartilage loss

2007-10-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

The risk factors for femoral cartilage loss in knee osteoarthritis have been described in the results of a recent study. These include:

female gender
smoking (cigarettes)
age
severity of lower limb muscle weakness

From the study authors:

"This study provides evidence confirming that significant risk factors are associated with femoral cartilage loss and these include gender (female), age, smoking, and severity of lower limb muscle weakness. It also supports the hypothesis that femoral cartilage swelling reflected by an increased baseline cartilage volume could be a predictor of disease progression. Our findings also provide interesting clues to implement preventive measures that can possibly prevent or reduce knee cartilage loss" (Ding et al, 2007).

Reference:
Ding C, Martel-Pelletier J, Pelletier JP, Abram F, Raynauld JP, Cicuttini F, Jones G. Two-year prospective longitudinal study exploring the factors associated with change in femoral cartilage volume in a cohort largely without knee radiographic osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007 Sep 22

Does oral calcictonin have a role in treating knee osteoarthritis?

2007-10-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland which is taken by some patients to treat osteoporosis. New research suggests that calcitonin may have a condroprotective effect (Chondrocytes are cells found in cartilage) in addition to the well-established effect on bone resorption (Karsdal et al, 2006).

"By improving functional disability and by reducing levels of biomarkers that are thought to be predictive of joint space narrowing (and thus cartilage loss), oral sCT at a dose of 1 mg might be a useful pharmacologic agent in human knee OA" Manicourt et al, 2006).

*Please refer to the disclaimer text.
Karsdal MA, Tanko LB, Riis BJ, Sondergard BC, Henriksen K, Altman RD, Qvist P, Christiansen C. Calcitonin is involved in cartilage homeostasis: is calcitonin a treatment for OA? Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006 Jul;14(7):617-24. Epub 2006 May 12.

Manicourt DH, Azria M, Mindeholm L, Thonar EJ, Devogelaer JP. Oral salmon calcitonin reduces Lequesne's algofunctional index scores and decreases urinary and serum levels of biomarkers of joint metabolism in knee osteoarthritis. 1: Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Oct;54(10):3205-11.

October Disclaimer Text

2007-10-01T06:52:00.001-07:00

The information that is provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care providers with any questions that you may have regarding a specific medical condition. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking medical advice or treatment it because of something you have read on this site.

Exercise as a treatment for osteoarthritis.

2007-10-01T06:40:00.000-07:00

A recent review on the impact of exercise on osteoarthritis of the knee (the most common type of osteoarthritis) concluded the following:

"Meta-analyses support recommendations that exercise is important in osteoarthritis management. Benefits appear to be additive when exercise is delivered with other interventions such as weight loss. Mode of exercise delivery has cost implications and may influence overall outcome. It appears that supervised exercise sessions are superior to home exercises for pain reduction." "Based on studies showing a relation between weaker quadriceps strength and increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, particularly in women, strength training may be able to prevent knee osteoarthritis. Novel exercise programs that strengthen hip muscles or alter impairments in knee neuromuscular control may also influence disease progression" (Bennell et al, 2005).

*please refer to disclaimer text.

Bennell K, Hinman R. Exercise as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2005 Sep;17(5):634-40.

Could my back or neck problem be related to OA?

2007-09-26T11:37:00.001-07:00

Yes, it could. Vertebrae are bones, and areas between them are joints protected by cartilage disks. In addition to the problems resulting from disk erosion, osteophytes can also grow around the vertebrae in the neck or back. These can put pressure on the nerve root or other surrounding tissues (impingement on the spinal foramina), creating symptoms such as

· pain that radiates down the leg or arms (radicular pain)
· muscle spasms
· muscle atrophy
· neurological deficits

What is the societal impact of arthritis?

2007-09-26T11:36:00.001-07:00

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritic conditions are the main cause of disability in the USA. These conditions cost the U.S. economy more than $128 billion annually, and that figure will continue to increase as the population ages.

What is the connection between food and OA?

2007-09-26T09:56:00.001-07:00

Although the current consensus within the medical community is that is diet and arthritis are not connected, there is some evidence that certain types of diets, with specific amounts of calories, protein, and fatty acids, may affect the inflammation that occurs with arthritis. An increasing number of physicians recognize the need to re-evaluate this position in light of new knowledge about food and its potential role in treating or preventing chronic conditions such as arthritis.

What factors increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, a major risk factor for OA?

2007-09-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

Your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes increases with the number of risk factors. If any of the risk factors below apply to you, please talk to a health care professional about how to lower your risk and determine if testing is needed.

· Obesity. Excessive body weight increases diabetes risk.

· Apple-shaped figure. Individuals whose bodies store fat in the abdominal area have a higher risk of diabetes than those who store excess weight in the hips and thighs.

· Age. Age increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

· Sedentary lifestyle. Regular physical activity can prevent excess weight, which is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. A second benefit of regular physical activity is improved blood sugar control in people who already have type 2 diabetes.

· Family history. The genetic link for type 2 diabetes is stronger than the genetic link for type 1. Having a blood relative with type 2 diabetes increases the risk. If that person is a first-degree relative, such as a parent, sibling or child, the risk is even higher.

· History of diabetes in pregnancy. If you had diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), you have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

· Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Also known as pre-diabetes, IGT means that the individual’s blood sugar level is elevated, but still below the level that qualifies as diabetes.

· Ethnic ancestry. Being of Aboriginal, African, Latin, or Asian descent increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Risk levels for these groups are two to six times higher than for Americans of Caucasian origin.

· High blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to have or develop diabetes.

High cholesterol or other fats in the blood. People with diabetic conditions often have high levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.

What are the risk factors for OA?

2007-09-26T09:49:00.001-07:00

Advancing age
Obesity
Insulin resistance or diabetes
Congenital abnormalities
Joint injuries
Lack of physical activity
Hereditary susceptibility
Female gender

http://www.arthroleve.com/

What does the doctor see on an X-ray to diagnose OA?

2007-09-25T08:55:00.001-07:00

In a joint affected by osteoarthritis, the space where the two bones meet is abnormally narrow. This condition, known as joint space narrowing, results from the cartilage breakdown that occurs with OA. The radiologist will also look for bony outgrowths at the edges of joints (osteophytes), another characteristic of OA.

How effective are psychological interventions for arthritis?

2007-09-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

Living with arthritis can lead to significant psychological problems such as feelings of helplessness, depression, and anxiety that further can further exacerbate pain and disability. Chronic pain itelsef is a risk factor for depression.

A recent meta-analysis reviewed 27 individual randomized controlled trials that systematically tested the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for arthritis pain (Dixon et al, 2007). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was the most frequently tested intervention for pain management/coping skills. Though the results for pain reduction were clinically significant, the actual effect sizes were small.

Not surprsingly, psychological interventions also had an statistically significant impact on of measures such as coping, anxiety, and depression (Dixon et al, 2007).

For patients that suffer from chronic pain or arthritis, it's important for them to be aware of how it may affect their mood and to seek appropriate treatment if they suffer from depression or an anxiety disorder that is related to their medical illness.

Dixon KE, Keefe FJ, Scipio CD, Perri LM, Abernethy AP. Psychological interventions for arthritis pain management in adults: a meta-analysis. Health Psychol. 2007 May;26(3):241-50.