Your cartilage acts as a living shock absorber that cushions and protects your bones from damage during the daily stresses of living, working, and playing. But, unfortunately due to age or even injury, the human body is sometimes unable to regenerate damaged soft tissue fast enough to keep your cartilage, ligaments, and tendons supple and flexible.

The result can be pain and swelling. The pain and swelling we know as arthritis occurs when these supporting tissues degenerate, allowing bone to rub against bone, which as anyone who has osteoarthritis will tell you, causes pain.

Muscles and joints can become injured whenever the body is in motion. It often occurs when doing strenuous or repetitive activities, like sports or working on an assembly line. Sprains refer to damage to a tendon or ligament. Tendons hold bone and muscle together. Ligaments hold bones together. Sprains cause sharp pain and rapid swelling of the area. Strains refer to overworking a muscle. It causes muscle cramps, localized pain during movement, swelling and loss of mobility. Another joint injury is bursitis, a swelling of the fluid-filled sac inside the joint. It usually causes localized pain on movement of the joint and swelling.

MAINTAINING JOINT HEALTH WITH GLUCOSAMINE

When scientists first began studying glucosamine and chondroitin in the 1970s, they were amazed that no only did the subjects experience less pain, but also - and more importantly- their formerly degenerating cartilage had begun to repair itself. When they took a closer look at the way glucosamine and chondroitin were actually working to reduce pain and repair cartilage, they found that both of them were extremely important for normal joint health.

They found that glucosamine and chondroitin are both building blocks for the molecules that make up tendons, ligaments, bones, and synovial fluid. They also supply a very important molecule called "proteo-glycans", a substance in joint cartilage. The problem they found was that with age, the ability to regenerate and restore joint structure begins to fail, often due to a decrease in the natural production of glucosamine sulfate in the body. This deficiency causes the production of new joint and connective tissue to slow, causing it to both weaken. The result is pain and stiffness.

A deficiency in either glucosamine or chondroitin may lead to osteoarthritis, which is a break down of joint structure that manifests itself as stiffness (especially after periods of rest), creaking and cracking joints, as well as pain.
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that covers the surfaces of bones in the joints becomes damaged, which allows bone to rub directly against bone. The synovial fluid eventually becomes thinner, which reduces its ability to cushion impact. Glucosamine makes healthy synovial fluid thick and gelatinous. Without it, your ligaments and tendons would fray, and your cartilage would degenerate.

Though glucosamine may take several months to bring relief from pain, some may have results in as little as a month. In any case, the results are worth the wait. When studies show that prescription arthritis drugs and antinflammatories can actually contribute to the further degeneration of connective tissue, glucosamine and chondroitin offer a safe and effective natural alternative.
______________________________________________________________
GLUCOSAMINE & CHONDROITIN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Here are a few common questions that many people have about taking glucosamine and chondroitin: Here are a few common questions that many people have about taking glucosamine and chondroitin:

Q: WHAT MAKES AN EFFECTIVE GLUCOSAMINE PRODUCT?

A: The scientific research on glucosamine proves again and again that the most effective form of glucosamine is the sulfate form combined with chondroitin. The addition of chondroitin can increase the effectiveness of glucosamine by up to 50% and decrease the amount of time you may have to wait to realize pain relief.
Q: HOW MUCH GLUCOSAMINE / CHONDROITIN SHOULD I USE?

A: The daily dosage of glucosamine proven to be effective in studies for reducing joint pain is 500mg three times a day. The daily dose of chondroitin needed is 400mg of the 90% grade type three times a day as well. It is recommended that this combin-ation be taken with meals as the presence of digestive acids and enzymes at that time will dramatically improve absorption
Q: IS GLUCOSAMINE / CHONDROITIN SAFE?

A: Glucosamine and chondroitin have been used in clinical trials for nearly 30 years and over that time they have each been proven to be very safe and non toxic, even in very high doses. Unlike many arthritis drugs, they will not irritate your stomach, or increase the degeneration of joint cartilage as is the case with cortisone.
Q: HOW WILL I FEEL WHEN I TAKE GLUCOSAMINE / CHONDROITIN?

A: When you take glucosamine / chondroitin, you will not feel any immediate effect because it takes time for the regeneration process to begin. Most people begin to notice results at about one month, while for some people it can take up to three or four months. In clinical studies, the rate of positive response has been shown to be about 75% .
______________________________________________________________

Conventional treatment of muscle and joint injury involves the use of anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. They take away the acute symptoms but do not help to heal the injured tissue. The use of such medications may make an individual return to activity too quickly, predisposing the area to re-injury.

First aid for muscle and joint injuries is easily remembered by the acronym RICE, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Immediately after the injury raise the area above the heart and apply ice for up to 20 minutes. Apply ice every 4 hours for 2 days. Only use heat after the initial swelling has subsided. Use a splint or sling to immobilize the area. Go to the hospital if there is significant swelling or if joint activity is compromised.

To prevent injuries include stretching in your warm up and cool down activities. Poultices made of goldenseal, fenugreek, flaxseed powder, turmeric or mustard can be used. They help to decrease swelling, decrease bruising and relax tense muscles. Horse chestnut seed gel can be applied topically for the same purpose.

To provide the body with the raw materials for tissue repair eat sufficient amounts of protein or use a protein supplement. Eat, or drink the juices of, raw fruits and vegetables including beets, garlic and radishes. They are packed with vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Drink at least 2L of filtered water to flush waste products from the damaged area.

To prevent muscle and joint injury eat chromium rich foods such as nutritional yeast, lobster and cheese. This ensures a steady supply of blood sugar to working muscles. Eat wheat germ because it contains octacosanol, which prevents strains by increasing muscle oxygenation, and vitamin E, which heals tissue. Eat oats because they contain the connective tissue supporting nutrient, silica.