 | By Loretta Cowles Clinical Nutritionist |
What are joints?
Joints are formed at the junction of two bones and their function is to allow the bones to move repeatedly in respect of each other in a smooth, safe and efficient manner.
At the ends of the bones cartilage provides a smooth surface for protection and shock absorption. Muscles and ligaments link the bones together and form a capsule in which the synovial fluid is found. This fluid acts as lubrication and prevents friction between the bones.
Common joint problems
The two main ways in which joints can be damaged is from injury or illness. Sports injuries or accidents can cause major damage and these occur more frequently in younger people as they are usually involved in more sports. The main illnesses which affect joints are grouped together under the term Arthritis, which literally means inflammation of the joint. Arthritis is actually a group of around 200 conditions and estimated to affect as many as 15 million people in the UK. | By far the most common form is Osteoarthritis. This usually occurs as part of the ageing process and is caused by degeneration of the cartilage. As the cartilage starts to thin, inflammation occurs within the joint, damaging the joint and leading to pain and swelling. As the disease progresses, the joint may become disfigured and eventually lose all function.
Another common form is Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is also classed as an autoimmune disease because the inflammation within the joints is caused by the body actually attacking itself. This disease occurs most commonly between the ages of 25 and 55 and is different from Osteoarthritis in that the illness may come and go and is often associated with a fever or other symptoms such as severe fatigue.
Supplements to help support the cartilage and mobility of the joint
Glucosamine is the most commonly taken joint supplement. It provides the building blocks for cartilage and helps damaged cartilage within arthritic joints.
Chondroitin is another popular supplement which works well in combination with Glucosamine. It helps maintain the mobility of joints by improving the fluid retention as well as reducing cartilage damage.
MSM is a natural sulphur compound that helps to keep the cells within the joints flexible, optimising joint mobility. It also helps to support the connective tissue around the joint. | How do you score? | What is the risk of getting Osteoarthritis? - Are you over 45?
- Have you ever had an injury to your knee or ankle which has caused you to require a crutch or cane?
- Are you more than a stone overweight?
- Have you ever been involved for a long period in repeated activities such as bending to pick up heavy objects or manipulating small things for more than 3 hours a day?
If you answer yes to 2 or more of these questions then you could be at risk of developing Osteoarthritis in later life. |
| In addition to supporting the cartilage and joint mobility, the supplements above will also help to reduce joint pain since improvement in these areas will almost inevitability lead to pain reduction. However some people find, particularly during the initial onset of arthritis, they may need to take additional supplements to help reduce the inflammation and acute pain. Supplements to help reduce pain and inflammation
Inflamol®, a mixture of herbs Chinese Skullcap and Acacia Extract, is proven to be one of the most effective natural products at providing fast pain relief and reducing inflammation. The herb Devil’s Claw has been used traditionally for hundreds of years to reduce inflammatory conditions and nowadays thousands of people take it on a regular basis to reduce arthritic symptoms. Recently a new herbal supplement made from Rose Hip extract has received much attention. In a recent clinical trial, 82% of patients noticed a reduction in their arthritic pain after only 3 weeks of taking the supplement. Last but by no means least, fish oils such as Omega 3 and Cod Liver Oil are very beneficial to joint health. Traditionally thought to ‘lubricate the joints’ it is now known that they benefit joints by reducing the inflammation that damages the cartilage and supporting the overall cell structure. Our bodies are incredible feats of engineering which need looking after. Since our joints provide our mobility we could think about them in the same way as the moving parts of an engine where regular care and attention is required. Luckily most of the general rules of good health such as eating a healthy diet and taking exercise will help to maintain joint health and now there is a good range of supplements to help if you encounter or feel you are at risk of encountering any arthritic problems. |