Joint chemistry and supplements

From The Newcastle upon Tyne Wiki

Contents 1 Knee cartilage biology and chemistry 2 Knee injury supplements 2.1 Supplement dosage 2.2 Cheapest Joint Supplements 3 Evidence based reports 3.1 Osteoarthritis

Knee cartilage biology and chemistry

Proteoglycan, the natural constituent of joint lining cartilage

Knee injury supplements

Knee injury treatments can include diet, health supplements, acupuncture, infra-red sessions, aromatherapy, massage and physiotherapy.

Most supplemental knee treatments aim to keep the knee supple and healthy by maintaining a good supply of blood enriched with the chemical combinations that the knee needs. Essential chemicals might be missing because of diet, lack of sun or age. If the body's natural healing processes can be activated in the area of injury, medical treatment might not be necessary. At the very least joint supplements might help recovery after any medical interventions.

1. Collagen (and take with Vitamin C?)
2. Glucosamine
3. Alpha Lipoic Acid (antioxidant) found in spinach, broccoli, peas, Brewer's yeast, brussel sprouts, rice bran, and organ meats.
4. Chondroitin (increases hyaluronic acid)
5. MSM
6. Hyaluronic Acid injections
7. SAM-e (short for S-adenosylmethionine)

A dietary supplement - methionine.
When taking SAM-e, it is important to also supplement your diet with vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate. Chemically-speaking, with the help of B-vitamins, SAM-e gives up a methyl group to surrounding tissues and organs and regulates several biochemical processes. For example, SAM-e helps maintain cell membranes, removes toxic substances from the body, and produces mood-enhancing neurotransmitters.
For the treatment of osteoarthritis, 600 mg to 1,200 mg per day is the usual dose. In osteoarthritis studies, SAM-e was taken in doses of 200 to 400 mg, three times per day between meals.
Better to purchase enteric-coated tablets so that the product is less likely to break down in the stomach, prior to reaching the intestine where it is primarily absorbed

Supplement dosage

• Glucosamine Sulphide and Chondroiton - a combined daily dose of 1500 mg of glucosamine and 1200 mg of chondroitin in divided doses.
• MSM (Paracleanse) - 2000 to 6000 mg. per day - 2 grams is most common.
• Experts recommend a daily intake of 10g collagen hydrolysate for at least 3 months. (?)

For best results collagen should be consumed last thing at night because the peak period for repair and regeneration is during the first two hours of sleep - known as the alpha cycle.

Cheapest Joint Supplements

ITEM Potency # COST Per tablet Shop

Chondroitin Sulphate (Marine) 400mg 180 £17.99 £0.10 http://www.healthydirect.com/

Collagen 2 (Marine) 325mg 120 £6.45 £0.05 http://www.healthspan.co.uk

Collagen 2 (Marine) 400mg 120 £5.67 £0.05 http://www.bestpricevitamins.co.uk/collagen.html

Glucosamin Sulphate 1000mg 360 £7.45 £0.02 http://www.healthydirect.com/product/GLU1K/d.jsf

MSM 1000mg 360 £13.99 £0.04 http://www.healthymarketing.co.uk/acatalog/Express_Joint_Formulas.html

MSM 1000mg 120 £5.99 £0.05 http://www.simplysupplements.net/ailments/17/arthritis/

Evidence based reports

Osteoarthritis

Capsaicin gel, (a therapy based on chilli peppers) scored 5 out of a possible 5 points for effectiveness. It has been shown to reduce pain and joint tenderness among osteoarthritis patients. A herbal mixture called phytodolor and the nutritional supplement S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), both received 4 points for effectiveness. The jury is still out for the popular glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin, which both scored 3 out 5. That means there is some promising evidence that they may work, but some studies suggest they do not. So their effectiveness is uncertain. A further eight remedies also scored 3 out of 5. But they found little evidence for sixteen other treatments, including glucosamine hydrocholoride which scored only 1 out of 5. source