Chondroitin sulfate: Chondroitin sulfate is a structural component of cartilage, connective tissue and compounds that assist in the movement of nutrients
to cells. Chondroitin provides the necessary element for essential nutrients to
move through cartilage. It is especially critical as a transporter because there is
no blood supply to cartilage.
Chondroitin provides proper nutrition to joint tissue, which in turn helps
support maximum flexibility, range of motion and joint lubrication. It protects
existing cartilage and serves as a building block for healthy new cartilage.
Glucosamine and chondroitin combination: The combined effect of these
two ingredients has been clinically
proven effective in a landmark
2005 study supported by the U.S.
National Institutes of Health.
Supplements by themselves
aren’t enough. Taking proper care
of your joints requires some other
lifestyle steps.
Shed those pounds
Every extra pound you gain
puts four times more stress on your
knees. All that extra stress puts
unnecessary strain on your joints,
which can increase the likelihood of
difficulties later on in life. Losing as
little as 11 pounds may cut your risk
of knee problems by 50 percent.
Straighten up
Good posture—standing and sitting up straight—can benefit your joints.
It helps protect the joints in your neck, back, hips and knees.
Exercise regularly
Exercise is one of the most effective treatments to support healthy joints.
Not only does exercise increase flexibility, strengthen muscles and improve
the overall function of the affected joints, it may also help minimize soreness.
The three most beneficial types of exercise are:
• Range-of-motion exercises, also known as flexibility exercises,
such as tai chi and yoga
• Aerobic conditioning, which includes activities that increase the
heart rate for 20 minutes or more, such as brisk walking or jogging
• Targeted muscle-strengthening exercises, such as weight training
HELPFUL HOW TO’S
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Lose the high heels
While they may look good, high-heeled shoes are hardly good for you.
According to experts, a 3-inch heel stresses your foot seven times more than a
half-inch heel. That extra height also increases the stress on your knees. And
all the extra strain you put on your feet and knees now may increase your risk
of developing problems later. A
HOW TO KNOW IF YOU
HAVE OSTEOARTHRITIS
MORE THAN 20 MILLION people in the United
States probably have osteoarthritis. Both men
and women can be affected by the disease.
Before age 45, more men have it; after age
45, it’s more common in women. Young
people may be at risk due to injuries.
Here are some of the warning signs:
• Steady or intermittent pain in a joint
• Stiffness after getting out of bed
• Swelling or tenderness in one
or more joints
• A crunching feeling or the sound of bone
rubbing on bone
Check with your doctor if you think you might
be at risk. Not everyone with osteoarthritis experiences pain in association with the disease.
In fact, only a third of people with osteoarthritis
in their X-rays report pain or other symptoms.
Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to
controlling osteoarthritis. For more information,
go to www.arthritis.org. A
(From the Federal Citizen Information Center,
www.pueblo.gsa.gov)
