NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO HELP YOU COPE WITH KNEE PAIN.
K. WILLIAMS, a 50-year-old “veteran” jogger, woke up one day unable to walk down the stairs due to excruciating knee pain. Having been active all his life, Williams was unable to cope because his knee pain severely restricted his mobility.
Another example of someone suffering from knee pain is 58-year-old Betty Yip, who has been practising taichi daily at a nearby park for the last 15 years. She has stopped taichi since the beginning of this year, due to severe knee pain and stiffness whenever she wakes up in the morning and every time she bends her knees.
Allan Fernandez, who is 65, has been an avid golfer for the past 30 years, and he used to hit the golf course five times a week. He now only plays once a week (at most) as he finds it a struggle to swing his club, due to agonising knee pain.
These people are not alone – it is estimated that millions of people around the world suffer from knee pain due to osteoarthritis, the most common type of joint pain afflicting many men and women approaching middle age and beyond.
This highly painful and debilitating condition can affect our lifestyle in many ways.
Osteoarthritis 101
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterised by the breakdown of joint cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows easy movement of joints.
The cartilage in the joint is important, because it allows the joints to move smoothly and helps prevent friction between joints. People suffering from osteoarthritis will find themselves in a state where their joint cartilage regrowth is unable to keep up with the rate of wear and tear. When the joint cartilage wears out, it causes pain, stiffness and swelling.
The two most important nutrients for knee pain sufferers are glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine and chondroitin are two clinically proven nutritional compounds used for relief of osteoarthritis and knee pain. Thousands of osteoarthritic sufferers worldwide are taking this trusted and effective combination daily to support their knee health.
Glucosamine exists naturally in cartilage, and functions to repair and stimulate new cartilage regrowth. However, as our body ages, smaller amounts of glucosamine is produced.
Chondroitin is another natural compound that is found in joint cartilage, and it acts like a water magnet to attract fluid to lubricate the joints.
The synergistic effects of these two ingredients can help relieve joint pains and improve flexibility.
Supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin helps:
- Relieve knee pain
- Reduce stiffness
- Improve knee flexibility
Remember, when it comes to joint care supplements, choose one that is trusted and effective. Ensure you pick one that has both glucosamine and chondroitin, as studies have found their synergistic effect to be better than taking either one alone in relieving moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee.
You may also want to look for MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), a natural sulphur compound with many health benefits – it is widely used together in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin for effective relief of joint pains.
MSM is found in the normal diets of humans and almost all other animals, but is easily destroyed during the cooking process. MSM is made up of 34% sulphur, the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body. Sulphur is necessary for the structure of every cell in the body. It is needed for the strengthening of joint cartilage and connective tissue such as skin, hair and nails.
Many amino acids, the building blocks of protein, have sulphur as a component. Hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and antioxidants all depend on it. And because the body utilises and expends it on a daily basis, sulphur must be continually replenished for optimal nutrition and health.
The Arthritis Foundation of America recommends starting with a low dosage of 500mg MSM twice a day, and increasing gradually to 1,000mg MSM twice a day.
Important tips for active individuals to relieve knee pain.
- The most important tip for knee pain is proper nutritional therapy. Ask your pharmacist today for a trusted and effective formula for knee pain.
- Wearing wrong footwear. Avoid heels that are too high or too hard. Don’t wear sandals. Choose shoes that lace up and provide your feet with firm support.
- Hot and cold therapy. Heat relaxes your muscles and stimulates blood circulation. Cold numbs the painful area and reduces swelling. Ask your doctor or physiotherapist whether heat or cold is best for you.
References:
- Clegg D, et al. Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and the Two in Combination for Painful Knee Osteoarthritis. New England Journal of Medicine, 2006; 354:795-808.