Is Arthritis an Inevitable Age-Related Disease?

Arthritis is not an inevitable consequence of ageing, but age puts you at more risk for osteoarthritis. In fact, according to stats Canada, the majority of Canadians will be affected by some form of an arthritic disease by age 70, and there are over 100 different forms of inflammatory/arthritic conditions!

Arthritis and joint inflammation are not primarily an "old person's" disease. It is just more common as you age. And what happens in joints with advancing age did not just show up on your 40^th birthday. Joint stiffness, pain and inflammation can begin in your early 40s, but it worsens with age. Just how much depends on your health and fitness care level in earlier years.

If you had significant injuries or trauma to any of your joints through a fall in your younger years, played repetitive high-impact sports or struggled with obesity, the wear and tear over time damages the bone and cartilage in your joints. The incidence of arthritic conditions and joint pain is not limited to injury, overuse or extra strain. It can also result from underlying internal/systemic inflammation. It can be the result of inactivity for years, high blood sugar, smoking and improper nutrition ( lack of specific vitamins and minerals)

Why do Joints seem to fail us as we age?

Besides our lifestyle and overall health, ageing affects the musculoskeletal system. Our bones continually go through a process of bone absorption and formation, but as we age, the balance between absorption and formation changes, leading to bone loss. Our bones become less dense and more fragile. Causing instability in the joints and vertebrae

Ageing also affects the properties of cartilage which is the cushion between joints. With age, there is less water in the cartilage. The cartilage structure changes from smooth and slippery to rough, reducing the ability of the cartilage to cushion and absorb the shock of movement effectively. Ligaments and other connective tissues surrounding the joints become less flexible and elastic with age, all of which cause the joint to become inflamed and painful.

Prevention and Reduction of Inflammation is The Key

Face it, when we were young, we felt invincible, and no amount of reminding from our parents that we need to eat healthy now to ensure a healthy life and strong bones and joints later in life was going to resonate. But we can help spread the word to young adults, our younger selves our age-advancing family members that while ageing is inevitable, we can practice prevention and protect our joints at any age. And even if you are experiencing joint pain or arthritic conditions now, you can take some steps to manage the effects of the disease.

Natural health supplements that possess anti-inflammatory properties and supplements that help reduce pain and protect the joints are potent treatment agents for osteoarthritis.

Natural Factors MSM Joint Formula with Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfates

Combining the top three joint support nutrients into one formula provides superior support for painful joints and connective tissue. Natural Factors MSM Joint Formula contains a blend of MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane), glucosamine sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate, which work together to relieve the joint pain associated with osteoarthritis and support the health of joints and connective tissue. This combination formula maintains the structural function of joints and connective tissue, improves joint lubrication, and jump-starts the healing process in deteriorating cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin protect the cartilage and connective tissue from degenerating and optimize joint function. MSM is an antioxidant that supports the musculoskeletal system and can help reduce the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Natural Factors MSM uses OptiMSM, the premium form of MSM, certified for quality and consistency and used in clinical efficacy and safety studies. Supplementing the diet with the nutrients in MSM Joint Formula is an effective and natural way to optimize joint health and an ideal option for people with pain from a degenerative joint condition

Natural Factors Joint Optimizer- High Absorption Curcumin

It contains a synergistic combination of herbal extracts that are effective for natural joint pain relief and healthy joint function. Theracurmin™ curcumin and supercharged extracts of white willow, devil's claw, Boswellia, and InflamRelief™ complex exert powerful antioxidant actions and support a healthy inflammatory response. Together, they help relieve the joint pain associated with osteoarthritis, offer short-term relief for low back pain, and support joint health, comfort, and function.

Theracurmin is an advanced form of curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric (Curcuma longa), widely used to promote a healthy inflammatory response and for potent antioxidant protection against free radicals. Scientific scrutiny has shown that Theracurmin is more bioavailable than other leading enhanced and regular forms of curcumin, ensuring a therapeutically effective level in the blood.*

In traditional herbal medicine, the herb Devil's Claw has a long history of use for relieving pain, while Boswellia decreases the activity of enzymes that destroy the joint cartilage. White willow bark has been used for centuries for pain and inflammation. It contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds and is a natural source of salicin, which is chemically similar to aspirin. InflamRelief is a complex of seven whole fruit concentrates that are rich in anti-inflammatory flavonoids.

*Scientific scrutiny revealed that Theracurmin was more bioavailable on a milligram-to-milligram basis than other leading^† enhanced and regular forms of curcumin.

Natural Factors PEA400 Palmitoylethanolamide

Natural Factors PEA400 contains palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) that is naturally sourced from non-GMO safflower oil to help relieve chronic pain. PEA is a fatty-acid-like compound made by the body's nervous and immune system cells to regulate pain and inflammation. It is also found in certain foods, such as safflower lecithin, soybeans, peanuts, and egg yolks.

PEA has analgesic, neuroprotective, and anti-neuroinflammatory properties. It activates the endocannabinoid system and has been used successfully for chronic pain and discomfort conditions. It has been studied for nerve compression syndromes, including sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome, and pain caused by pinched nerves and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

PEA400 is made from fractionated non-GMO safflower oil. It then undergoes a micronization process to improve its solubility and absorption by the body. Each vegetarian capsule contains 400 mg of PEA to be taken in a daily dose of three capsules, which is within the range of doses supported by clinical studies. PEA400 is suitable for vegetarians and vegans and is well tolerated with little to no reported side effects. It is an excellent choice for adults suffering from chronic pain but has had limited success with conventional therapies.

Natural Factors NEM®- Natural Eggshell Membrane

NEM® Natural Eggshell Membrane is an innovative nutritional supplement that can reduce joint pain by 20% or more within 7–10 days and by an average of 73% after 30 days. In clinical trials, NEM also reduced stiffness significantly and improved range of motion. NEM provides continued support for joint health by reducing inflammation, improving flexibility, and protecting against the deterioration of cartilage.

NEM is a natural source of type I collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and calcium, nutrients that are essential for healthy joints. It supports the production of type II collagen, the main component of cartilage, and the production of the synovial fluid that lubricates the joints.

Human clinical trials show that NEM is free from the potentially severe side effects of NSAIDs and other medications conventionally used to treat joint and connective tissue conditions.

Natural Factors NEM Natural Eggshell Membrane, in a convenient one-a-day vegetarian capsule, provides a full-strength dose of the same NEM formula that quickly improves joint pain, stiffness, and flexibility in clinical trials, particularly for osteoarthritis.

Natural Factors OsteoMove® Joint Care

OsteoMove Extra Strength Joint Care is a powerful combination of nutrients for fast and effective relief from osteoarthritis's inflammation and joint pain. This impressive supplement contains an array of natural compounds and plant extracts that have been clinically shown to fight progressive cartilage degeneration and support the repair and recovery of joints and connective tissue.

Glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) work together to enhance joint lubrication and fight inflammation to maintain joint health and integrity. The addition of manganese, boron, collagen, and hyaluronic acid enhances the effects of the "big three" by encouraging the regeneration of healthy connective tissue after injury or disease.

OsteoMove takes joint care to another level with the inclusion of natural phenolic compounds courtesy of InflamRelief^TM Complex, a proprietary blend of seven fruit concentrates. Combined with Boswellia and turmeric, InflamRelief provides antioxidant protection against free radical damage to cells and tissues. This helps expedite the repair and regeneration of healthy joint tissue and lessens painful inflammation, bruising, joint stiffness, and spasm.

OsteoMove features the sulfate forms of glucosamine and chondroitin, which have been used in clinical trials, thus ensuring maximum benefit for those with arthritis and joint pain.

Natural Factors Total Body Collagen - Muscle and Joint recovery collagen formula

Total Body Collagen is a unique formula featuring Verisol® bioactive collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, L-tryptophan, L-glutamine, vitamin C, and biotin – essential nutrients that promote healthy skin, muscles, and connective tissue.

Collagen and hyaluronic acid work together to provide structure, strength, and resilience in the body's tissues, and are vital for maintaining hydration in the joints. Hydrolyzed collagen promotes collagen synthesis and has been shown to help reduce joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. This formula also supports muscle growth and recovery, helping physically active people to build lean muscle mass.

Total Body Collagen is highly digestible, non-GMO, and from pasture-raised and grass-fed cattle. It comes in tablets, two great-tasting flavours and unflavoured powder to promote healthy skin, connective tissues and joints from the inside out.

Natural Factors RxOmega-3- Maximum Triple Strength

Cold-ocean fish oil supplements have become popular as a source of omega-3 oils due to new research showing that consuming enough of these healthy fats is essential to your cardiovascular system, nervous system, and joints. Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) are needed to build and repair cells. They are called "essential" because consuming them in your diet is necessary since they are critical to health but cannot be produced by the body.

Studies have shown that taking a quality omega-3 supplement for inflammatory joint ailments can reduce the intensity of joint pain and stiffness and the use of NSAID drugs.

Joint pain is widespread, and most people have experienced aches and pains at some time. Try to incorporate inflammatory foods into your diet such as berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries), Berries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins. These compounds have anti-inflammatory effects. Increase your intake of Omega 3 fatty fish and when you cannot eat enough fish an Omega 3 supplement. The EPA and DHA in Fatty fish can decrease the inflammatory markers that cause inflammation. Other foods to incorporate in your diet that help reduce inflammation include cruciferous vegetables, avocado, green tea, grapes, dark chocolate, or cocoa.

Resources

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/glucosamine-and-chondroitin-for-osteoarthritis

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-glucosamine/art-20362874

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458405002852

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5372953/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16309928/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3383492/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3150191/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24395557/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5003001/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26829184/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2711914/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697588/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5094513/