Glucosamine

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most widespread type of arthritis, is a degenerative disease of the joints. Although sometimes capable of causing acute inflammation, it is most commonly a "wear-and-tear" disease involving degeneration of joint cartilage and formation of bony spurs within various joints. Trauma to the joints, repetitive occupational usage, and obesity are risk factors. Most people over 60 years of age have this affliction to some extent, with approximately 16 million sufferers requiring medical care. The main goal of treatment is to relieve pain.

In recent years, glucosamine and chondroitin have been widely promoted as a treatment for OA. Glucosamine, an amino sugar, is thought to promote the formation and repair of cartilage. Chondroitin, a carbohydrate, is a cartilage component that is thought to promote water retention and elasticity and to inhibit the enzymes that break down cartilage. Both compounds are manufactured by the body.

Research Findings

Laboratory studies suggest that glucosamine may stimulate production of cartilage-building proteins. Other research suggests that chondroitin may inhibit production of cartilage-destroying enzymes and fight inflammation too. Glucosamine supplements are derived from shellfish shells; chondroitin supplements are generally made from cow cartilage. Human studies have shown that either one may relieve arthritis pain and stiffness with fewer side effects than conventional arthritis drugs. But two problems remain. First, there has not been enough high-quality or long-range research to determine whether their use is practical. Second, because dietary supplement manufacture is not regulated, product quality (especially of chondroitin products) is not assured.

Some published studies comparing glucosamine or chondroitin to various standard medications have found that the drugs worked faster than the supplements. But they also found that several months after treatment ended, the analgesic effect of the supplements remained stronger.

Milk thistle extract contains plant chemicals called silymarin that are proven safe and best known for protecting the liver through numerous scientific and clinical studies.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used since Greco-Roman times as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver problems. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries physicians in the United States used milk thistle seeds to relieve congestion of the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Today, several scientific studies suggest that active substances in milk thistle (particularly silymarin) protect the liver from damage caused by viruses, toxins, alcohol, and certain drugs such as acetaminophen (a common over the counter medication used for headaches and pain; acetaminophen, also called paracetamol, can cause liver damage if taken in large quantities or by people who drink alcohol regularly.)

Many professional herbalists recommend milk thistle extract for the prevention and/or treatment of various liver disorders including viral hepatitis, fatty liver associated with long-term alcohol use, and liver damage from drugs and industrial toxins such as carbon tetrachloride.

Dose: Take 1 capsule 3 times a day after meal.

A British journalist from the Guinness Book of Records was on assignment to interview Shigechiyo Izumi, the world's oldest documented living person, a sprightly 115-year-old man in remarkably good health. The journalist was amazed by Izumi's vitality and the fact that he had worked until the age of 105. When the journalist realized most of the island's inhabitants were physically fit, with long lifespan and low incidences of serious illness, he persuaded Mr. Izumi to submit to a medical check up.

These islands were built up from Sango coral reefs that are chemically very similar to the human skeleton. When rain falls on these islands, it percolates through these ancient coral deposits and picks up minerals and other elements that make it truly unique, Not only does it contain many essential minerals, it is also very alkaline, with a pH between 7 and 8.5.

Over a decade ago, the health conscious Japanese government authorized the mining of this Sango coral sand. Sango coral is the only coral out of 2,500 species found to have these health benefits, and only occurs in abundance around Okinawa, Japan. Over four million Japanese consume coral calcium daily.

The mining operation, careful not to damage any of the living coral, extracts, pulverizes and treats this Sango coral sand, enriched with coral calcium, magnesium, valuable minerals and trace minerals of the sea. The coral is then placed into capsules. When taken, the coral calcium will raise the body's pH level to a healthy alkaline state.

In other parts of the world, cultures such as the Hunza's of North Pakistan, the Tibetans, Armenians, Azerbajans and the Titicacas of Peru, all live long and healthy lives. The common denominator is calcium consumption. The only source of water for all these cultures is melting glacier water. The water is turbid, white like milk, as it contains the crushed rocks that were contained in the glacial ice.

These cultures drink this water, known as "Milk of the Mountains," containing the suspended minerals. Each quart of Hunza's water, for example, contains 9,000 mg of ionic calcium as well as large amounts of other minerals.