In March of 1988, I made a life-changing decision. If I had known just how much it would change my life I wouldn’t have done it. I’ve been living with my choice every day since, and discovered something that makes living with it much easier for me.
It was too warm a day for March skiing, but my stubborn determination to ski on spring break didn’t stop me from going for the black diamond slopes at Sugar Mountain in North Carolina. When I came off the lift and went flying down the mountain a little too fast for the first time out in a long time, I decided to go for it rather than trying to slow it down a bit. In short order, I wished that I had made the latter choice. I hit a very slushy spot in the snow which froze the binding on my left ski as the right one released and the rest of my body went sailing down the mountain. My left leg stayed right where the slush was and the rest of me had a lot of forward momentum. I heard a very loud pop and the next thing I knew was when the ski patrol were skiing me down the mountain on a stretcher. I tore all of the major ligaments and tendons in my left knee, and reconstructive surgery was required unless I wanted to be no more active than the local crocheting champion. I cannot be inactive, so surgery came next.
The knee works fine now, thank God, but not without a period of time with the tell-tale grinding and annoying pain that accompany osteoarthritis. After complaining of the pain for a long time to various orthopedists and vehemently avoiding the stomach-upsetting anti-inflammatory drugs, a professor and chiropractor who specializes in sports chiropractic suggested that I begin a daily regimen of glucosamine and chondroitin to feed my joints and reduce the inflammation that regularly visited me. I followed his advice on blind faith and am very glad that I did. The combination of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM has served me well. Here is some information that will be at least informative, and at best will help some of you to get pain relief without medications with harsh side effects.
Clinical trials have been conducted on all three of the supplements aforementioned, and some are proven to be more effective than others. Glucosamine is an amino sugar which is made by the body and is thought to promote the formation and repair of cartilage. It also is touted by experts to improve joint function and to decrease the pain associated with osteoarthritis. Some laboratory results show that glucosamine might stimulate the production of cartilage-building proteins. The supplement comes in several forms: glucosamine hydrochloride, N-acetylglucosamine, and glucosamine sulfate are the most popular ones. The sulfate form is better absorbed by the body. There are a couple of things to be aware of regarding glucosamine, however. This supplement is derived from shellfish shells, and can be hazardous to those who are allergic to shellfish. Another precaution is that diabetics should monitor their blood sugar closely while taking glucosamine since it is indeed a sugar.
Chondroitin is a carbohydrate which might inhibit the body’s production of cartilage-destroying enzymes. Chondroitin is actually a component of cartilage which is made by the body and is thought to promote retention of water in joints. It is also thought to promote elasticity of cartilage and to reduce inflammation. The properties of chondroitin and the properties of glucosamine are complementary, and this makes for a good marriage; therefore, you will often see the two in a supplement together. The combination can be taken with significantly fewer side effects than some prescription arthritis treatments, so it has become widely available and very popular in today’s market.
A third joint supplement, methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is also very popular. It is actually a naturally occurring organic sulfur. Sulfur is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, and is essential to the creation and regeneration of the body’s tissues. It is also vital for collagen production and is a major component in the formulation of cartilage and connective tissue in the body. More than just a joint food, MSM is a great source of sulfur for those who are deficient in it. Sulfur deficiencies result in poorly functioning immune systems, GI problems, allergies, and arthritis. MSM is virtually nontoxic but the body requires adequate amounts of vitamin C in order to metabolize it properly.
While there are innumerable sources out there for these supplements, I personally use a liquid form of these supplements. Liquid is much more readily absorbed by the body and is more convenient. I take it only once a day and I used to have to take the huge caplets three times a day. Try it. You just might find a new lease on life as your joints become more lubricated and easier to move without pain. Treat your body well.