Exercise may be the best relief for achy knees
By Patti Neighmond, NPR
If you’re among the estimated 27 million Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, then perhaps you’ve tried the nutritional supplements glucosamine and chondroitin. They’ve been marketed for joint health for about 20 years, and sales are still brisk. But do they help?
Some horses might say yes. The supplements were first tried in horses, and there’s some evidence that the supplements might improve joint function for them.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are also marketed to dog owners. But what about us humans? Unfortunately, researchers say that for us the results just don’t match the glowing testimonials.
It would seem to make sense that glucosamine and chondroitin could help. They’re both natural substances found in cartilage, that hard connective tissue that pads joints.
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that may help renew cartilage, and chondroitin sulfate is a complex carbohydrate that is thought to help cartilage retain water. Arthritis causes pain, swelling and stiffness in joints and damages cartilage over time. So the thought was maybe extra glucosamine and chondroitin could help maintain and even repair the damage.
I heard this story on NPR and am so glad you published it here admin!
Has anyone heard how good bone broth is for joints?
It is said to have a lot of naturally occurring glucosamine nad chondroitin, so your body can plug it in where needed, unlike the processed pill form.
At least we can all just keep exercising and taking good old Vitamin I.
Dr. K., DVM recommended I give my arthritic Labrador “Green Lipped Mussel” (aka sea mussel). She went from having done no retrieves in 5 years to doing more than 10 a day. I was so impressed I started talking it myself and it has helped me tremendously. You can buy it locally or on Amazon (for a whole lot less) Amazing stuff! Warning- dogs need only 1/2 of a humane dosage.
I meant to say you can also buy it at Vitacost.com
Riding a bicycle for about 10 minutes, twice a day, does wonders for my knees. Also prevents thigh burn the first day on the slopes. This is very low stress riding on flatter terrain.