| | You Wouldn't Buy a Car without knowing the size or strength of its engine...
...and You Shouldn't Buy glucosamine for exactly the same reasons!The size and strength of the engine in your car makes a difference in how your car performs. A big engine with high octane fuel will send you flying up a mountain side while a small engine with regular grade fuel may stall and sputter on the same uphill grade. Glucosamine products perform exactly the same as those automotive engines. The formulation of the compounds, pill, capsule, liquid, the quality grade level of the glucosamine and the additional ingredients in the formula can mean the difference between pain relieve and satisfactory performance and no pain relieve or satisfaction with the product.Glucosamine compounds are not a new discovery. For many years they have been used in Asia and Europe. However, it was not until 1999, when the Lancet medical journal glucosamine study was released,
that many American manufacturers realized the market for the
product and rushed glucosamine to market in an untested pill form.
These manufacturers assumed that the pill form would be adequately
effective however, the latest research has shown that glucosamine in liquid form is much more effective. The absorption rate and bio-availability of Glucosamine in pill form was significantly less than in liquid form. Additionally, pharmaceutical grade glucosamine accompanied by certain other ingredients will out-perform the pill form, medium grade glucosamine by a mile. So, how do you know what Glucosamine product to buy? Your
selection should be based on four factors. You must consider- the
quality of glucosamine,
- method of delivery to the body,
- the additional
ingredients in the product,
- and of course, price.
The quality of Glucosamine.
Simply put, the
higher quality of glucosamine you use, the greater your relief will
be. That said, you need to be aware of how the glucosamine is processed. Heat degrades the quality of both chemical and natural ingredients. So does dehydration.
Since there are many different patents for processing the shellfish and or biomass ingredients from which Glucosamine is derived it pays to read the data sheets put out by the product manufacturers.
Product Delivery
The method of delivery can
make the difference between pain relief and no pain relief. Glucosamine products, in pill or capsule form are less potent than Glucosamine
in liquid form.
Supportive ingredients
Also crucial to the effectiveness of the product,
is the other ingredients that are included in the product.
Glucosamine alone is not a cure all.
To receive true help with your arthritis, you need
to look for products that combine a number of supportive ingredients.
Ingredients such as:
- glucosamine
sulfate and glucosamine HCL,
- chondroitin,
- boswellin,
- bromelain,
- omega 3 & 6,
-
yucca,
- manganese ascorbate,
- vitamins A, C, and E.
When used together, studies have shown tremendous results are possible in easing arthritis pain. Unlike dangerous Cox-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs, these ingredients have no side effects and are natural and safe.
Below is a description of the role each of these ingredients plays.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a natural sugar produced by the body and found in certain foods. It plays an important role in the production, maintenance, and repair of cartilage. It stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, two essential building blocks of cartilage.
Chondroitin sulfate
Chondroitin sulfate reduces inflammation and assists the glucosamine in protecting against future cartilage degeneration. Shark cartilage is a source of chondroitin sulfate. It drives the glucosamine and provides for maximum absorption. Also, in many trials, it has reduced the possibility of developing cancer. Bovine Trachea can also be used as a source of chondroitin. However, there is a risk of BSE with this. (Mad Cow Disease).
Bromelain
Bromelain is used to clean away the "debris" in the joints and restores proper fluid balance. It also helps to inhibit inflammatory compounds plus reduces pain and swelling.
Boswellin
This ingredient has been used for centuries in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine to maintain healthy joints. Boswellic acids improve blood supply to the joints and maintain the integrity of blood vessels. At least one study has indicated that it may open up collateral blood circulation to provide adequate blood supply to the joints. Boswellin has been known to reduce jointswelling, maintain blood supply to inflamed joints, increase mobility as well as reduce pain due to stiffness in the joints.
Ascorbate
Ascorbate,(Manganese and ascorbic acid) assists your body with processing the glucosamine. This is a very important ingredient and one that is missing in nearly every glucosamine product on the market today.
Yucca
Yucca has a long history in easing stiff joints by blocking compounds that prevent normal formation of cartilage. The root is rich in saponins that elevate your bodys' ability to produce cortisone naturally.
Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids act as anti-inflammatory agents. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA, and ALA)are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, anchovies, and rainbow trout and soybean oil, flaxseed oil, and walnut oil. Omega-6 fatty acids (lineolic acid) comes from various common vegetable oils. The body converts lineolic acid into GLA which can help reduce joint inflammation.
Vitamins A,C and E
Vitamin A, (Beta carotene) is essential for growth and repair of body tissues and it assists in bone formation. Vitamin C, (ascorbic acid) produces a mobilization of your bodys' self-defense mechanisms, which assists your immune system to overcome disease. Vitamin E, (Tocopheral) is an antioxidant, which acts to protect red blood cells and unsaturated fatty acids from oxidation damage. It also assists your body in maintaining healthy membrane tissue. In addition, Vitamin A, C, and E all promote general health and protect against the harmful effect of free radicals.
Pricing
When considering price, you must take care to determine exactly how much
supply you are purchasing. Many companies engage in what can only
be called a "deceptive" practice. Often, packages will include 60
pills, or 32 oz. of a product, but you have to read the dosage list to find out you need to take 6 pills or 4 oz. a day. You think you have purchased a month supply when often you will run out in less than 2 weeks. A good price for a quality liquid glucosamine product
with many of the above ingredients synergistically combined is
around $30.00/month. One highly recommended brand of glucosamine that combines all the ingredients that are essential for pain relief and joint healing,
is Syn-flex®, a 98% pure liquid formula that has been on the market for many years.
You can find out more about Syn-flex® if you follow this link.Syn-flex®
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