Celebrate Joint Health

Study reveals glucosamine treatment slows and may even prevent the need for total joint replacement.
GUYANA - May, 2008 - Everyone’s joints need a well-deserved break—after all, in a typical lifetime, they carry an individual more than three and a half times around the world! Unfortunately, because of the repetitive use of the joints in daily activities, they are susceptible to joint conditions such as osteoarthritis. In fact in 2006, it was reported that more than 46 million people – nearly one in five adults suffered from arthritis or chronic joint symptoms, three million more than 1998.

To raise awareness of growing joint conditions such as osteoarthritis and to celebrate maintaining the health of our joints, Arthritis Awareness Week was observed May 5-11.

Throughout Arthritis Awareness Week, the Caribbean islands together raised joint health awareness and educated people on how to keep joints supple and mobile throughout their lives. This week also aimed to highlight the ways people can help alleviate the symptoms associated with joint conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Arthritis Awareness Week kicked off with breaking medical news: the results of a new study have proven that glucosamine treatment significantly slows or may even prevent total joint replacement for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The study is derived from an eight-year observation of patients from two previous randomized, placebo-controlled trials and has been recently published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. The objective was to assess the incidence of Total Joint Replacement during the long-term follow up of patients with knee Osteoarthritis formerly receiving treatment with glucosamine sulphate or placebo.

Glucosamine has been shown to play an important role in joint health, as it is an integral constituent in the structure of cartilage and ligaments and is essential for the smooth working and rebuilding of connective tissue. Equally as important to joint health and function are Omega-3 fatty acids which refer to a group of polyunsaturated fats – termed “essential” as they cannot be produced within the body, and only obtained through food. Long-chain Omega-3 is found almost exclusively in oily fish. Omega-3 is particularly beneficial throughout all stages of life and is used in a variety of body functions. Together, glucosamine and Omega-3 work in synergy to help maintain the health and flexibility of the joints.

“A unique blend of Glucosamine, Omega-3 and other nutrients helps maintain healthy joints,” says Pharmacist Dwayne Thornton. “Omega-3 helps to reduce inflammation and pain and this provides differentiation from many other supplements available.”

So did you join Seven Seas JointCare in raising the profile of improving and maintaining joint health during this year’s Arthritis Awareness Week. Everybody needs healthy joints.

JointCare Health Tips:
* Maintain a healthy weight, as carrying too much weight increases the strain on load bearing joints

* Take moderate exercise regularly

* Always warm up your joints prior to exercise

* Drink plenty of water each day

* Listen to your body. Do not strain your joints

* Consider taking a glucosamine and Omega-3 supplement to safeguard your diet