Osteoarthritis

In healthy joints, cartilage makes a slippery, lubricating cushion between bones that allows for easy movement (Fraser 46). Injuries, overuse, or age can wear cartilage down, leaving bone grinding against bone. Half of all people over 65 have this version of arthritis known as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a wearing away of joint cartilage and a thickening of the lubricant-containing synovial tissues which insulate contact of bone and joint cavities, leading to movement becoming increasingly difficult and painful (Scheer 32). Scientists believe that osteoarthritis results from an abnormal release from the cartilage cells of destructive enzymes which cause the breakdown of cartilage, according to the Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter ("Is There" 1). Sufferers may also be born with defective cartilage or slight defects in the way that joints fit together. They add that osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands and weight bearing joints such as the knees, hips, feet, and back. It can happen to anyone who puts their limbs through unusual movements and

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st further damage by blocking the action of certain enzymes; by revving up the production of new cartilage building blocks; by bringing nutrients into cartilage; and by decreasing the pain and enhancing the range of joint flexibility. Chondroprotection is based on the exogenous supply of glycosaminoglycans to be used by the chondrocytes for the synthesis of proteoglycans, components of the cartilage matrix (Gottlieb 405). Glycosaminoglycans also have an anti-inflammatory effect. Glucosamine sulfate occurs naturally in the human body and is almost devoid of toxicity, making it safe for long-term therapeutic use. Gottlieb puts his patients on 1,500 mg glucosamine sulfate a day, split over three doses. He finds patient compliance a problem in that many of them forget the midday dose because they are at work and don't have the medication with them (407). However, he found that patients who lowered their dose to 500 mg twice a day after a couple of months maintained the positive benefits achieved initially. Gottlieb points out that although glucosamine sulfate is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis, many patients with the disease are deficient in vitamins A, C, D, E, pyridoxine, folacin, pantothenic acid and the minerals
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Approximate Word count = 1742
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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