Joint Health Update essential building block in maintaining cartilage and connective (NAPSA)—It may seem surprising to some, but many of today’s erandparents are more likely to be found hiking with their grandchildren than baking cookies, and many of these older Americansare turn- tissue. Clinical Trial Results A 2006 study in the medical journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage concluded that MSM was ing to supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM to make sure they can. effective in reducing pain and increasing mobility in osteoarthritis patients without adverse Advice For An Active Lifestyle As baby boomers age, they want to stay younger longer, which effects. Clinical studies suggest that the effective dosage rangeis includes maintaining joint health between 1,500 and 6,000 mg per day. Published safety data shows to continue an activelifestyle. Joint problems can come from a variety of sources including inflammation; microscopic bone fractures; infec- tion; ligament, tendon or muscle disorders; or nerve damage. One Problem A frequent diagnosis is osteo- arthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis and the second most common cause of long-term disability among middle-aged and older adults. OA is characterized No BONES ABOUT IT, keeping your knees up to speed means giving them what they need. For many people, experts recommend nutritional supplements such as MSM to help maintain joint health. bles and omega-3s; dietary supplements. This integrative approach can delay or prevent surgery, considered no side effects even at high levels. “The advantage of MSM is that patients can safely modulate dosage until they realize results,” says Jason Theodosakis, MD, MS, MPH, FACPM, a sports medicine expert and author of the bestselling book “The Arthritis Cure.” The onset of osteoarthritis is a eradual process and many experts say that when people start early in the last resort in osteoarthritis. maintaining joint health they can provides cushioning between bones, and by changes in the underlying bones and surrounding tissues. Symptoms include stiffness, decreased range of motion and chronic joint pain. The Arthritis Foundation esti- tion’s side effects, many people have turned to dietary supplements. Because the source of joint pain varies, choosing just one nutritional ingredient may used to be expected. Lower doses of MSM mayalso help normalize levels of sulfur in the body. In lowsulfur environments, anti-inflam- take a formula with several osteoarthritis, may becomedetrimental to cartilagecells. suffer from osteoarthritis, affecting more women over 50 years old than chondroitin are the most com- The 2006 Consumer Report by a loss of joint cartilage, which mates that 21 million Americans men. In a recent CDC report, 8.3 percent of the population (25 million people) reported arthritis- related limitations in their usual activities. A Solution Experts on joint health recom- mend a total joint solution including: e low-impact exercise; weight loss; a diet rich in fruits, vegeta- Citing concerns about medica- not always work. Most people ingredients. Glucosamine and mon, but methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is emerging as a safe and effective natural anti-inflam- matory agent and cartilage-sup- porting supplement. “Nearly every leading joint health brand now contains MSM preserve mobility far beyond what matory drugs, commonly used in Make It Mainstream Supplement Guide cautions: “Our experience suggests mainstream brands may be morereliable.” The Arthritis Foundation agrees. It suggests buying products sold by large, well-established companies. Learn More N.D., C.N.S., a naturopathic doc- More information can be found at MSMGuide.com, an independent Web site containing con- nutrient, is rich in sulfur, an quently asked questions and abstracts of clinical research. along with glucosamine and chondroitin,” says Jeremy Appleton, tor and leading expert on MSM. MSM, a naturally occurring sumer and practitioner fre-
