

Bone Joint Pain and Osteoarthritis Associated with Aging

Bone Joint Pain and Osteoarthritis: Aging Gracefully and Painlessly

Arthritis is the most common disability in America. There are actually over 100 different types of arthritis, depending on the cause of the illness and the location in the body. The most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage surrounding the joints of the bone break down, exposing the joint underneath to wear and tear. Symptoms of osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, are often pain in one or a few joints, and morning stiffness. Osteoarthritis differs from rheumatoid arthritis in that the latter is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system attacks its own joints, the reasons for which are not completely understood. Like the bone loss disease osteoporosis, osteoarthritis appears to be the gradual wearing out of the skeletal frame, except that in osteoarthritis the areas bordering the bone (joints, muscles, tendons, and cartilage) are affected. Also, just as in osteoporosis, low estrogen levels increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis occurs most often between the ages of forty and sixty. It affects almost everyone to some degree over age sixty, and affects three times as many women as men. Causes of arthritis include: joint instability, genetic factors, age-related changes, hormonal factors, and altered biochemistry. There could also be a connection between diet and osteoarthritis in some people. Some researchers and practitioners believe that people who are sensitive to the alkaloid chemicals in a vegetable group called the nightshades tend to develop osteoarthritis. The nightshade group of vegetables include: potatoes, tobacco, tomatoes, eggplants, and all peppers except white and black peppers.

There are several different supplements than can help the condition of osteoarthritis in many ways, including reducing the pain involved, slowing the progression of joint disease, or even reversing some of the joint damage. Vitamin C is essential to maintaining healthy joints, since it plays a large role in the synthesis of the protein collagen. Collagen is crucial to the development and maintenance of muscle, cartilage, tendon, and bone structure. Arthritis patients that had high vitamin C intakes decreased their risk of disease progression by 300%.

Two other supplements have shown some promise in helping osteoarthritis. Vitamin E can reduce osteoarthritis-induced pain, and also helps to build cartilage. Do not take more than 200 IU/day of mixed tocopherols that have been refrigerated unless otherwise directed by your physician. S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe) is a unique molecule and supplement that can help the body in many different ways. SAMe may decrease osteoarthritic pain as effectively as drugs like Ibuprofen, with lesser side effects. Do not take SAMe without notifying your physician.

Last but not least, two of the most popular supplements for fighting osteoarthritis are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. There is some evidence that taken together, they may work even better than taken alone. Glucosamine has been proven effective in controlling arthritis symptoms. The sulfate form of Glucosamine seems to be the best for combating osteoarthritis. Chondroitin sulfate (shark cartilage) can effectively decrease osteoarthritic pain when used long-term. Chronic arthritis and pain can be managed if someone makes lifestyle changes and has a positive outlook for dealing with the condition.




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