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VEGETARIAN HEALTH NEWS
Glucosamine and Arthritis
by J.R. Rogers
Information on how glucosamine actually works, the science
backing glucosamine, and how to select the best glucosamine
product...
As
I stated in my article "Osteoarthritis Explained" healthy cartilage
requires four things. These are:
1. water for lubrication and nourishment
2. proteoglycans to attract and hold water
3. collagen to hold proteoglycans in place
4. chondrocytes to clean away old proteoglycans and collagen and
produce new ones
When any one of these elements is missing, cartilage can deteriorate
and osteoarthritis will begin to develop. However, with effective
treatment, much of this can be prevented and also rehabilitated if
you are currently suffering from osteoarthritis.
The Info on Glucosamine
One of the most effective supplements for osteoarthritis is a
compound called glucosamine. Glucosamine is a key component
of cartilage. Glucosamine works to stimulate joint function and
repair. It has been proven effective in numerous scientific trials
for treating osteoarthritis pain, rehabilitating cartilage, renewing
synovial fluid, and repairing joints that have been damaged from
osteoarthritis.
Each person produces a certain amount of glucosamine within their
bodies. When people grow older, their bodies lose the capacity to
make enough glucosamine. Having ample glucosamine in your body is
essential to producing the nutrients needed to stimulate the
production of synovial fluid, the fluid which lubricates your
cartilage and keeps your joints healthy. Without enough glucosamine,
the cartilage in their weight-bearing joints, such as the hips,
knees, and hands deteriorates. The cartilage then hardens and forms
bone spurs, deformed joints, and limited joint movement. This is how
the debilitating disease of osteoarthritis develops.
So How Does Glucosamine Figure Into Healthy Cartilage?
Glucosamine is…
1.
a major building block of proteoglycans
2. needed to make glycosaminoglycans, proteins that bind water in
the cartilage matrix
3. a source of nutrients for the synthesis of proteoglycans and
glycosaminoglycans
4. a stimulant to chondrocytes
5. a key factor in determining how many proteoglycans are produced
by the chondrocytes
6. needed to spur chondrocytes to produce more collagen and
proteoglycans
7. a regulator of cartilage metabolism which helps to keep cartilage
from breaking down
In
addition, glucosamine has been shown to reduce pain for
osteoarthritis sufferers and improves the joint structure.
**Information and statements regarding dietary supplements on our
website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration
and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease.
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