TAKING APART YOUR BONES AND JOINTS

A healthy joint is made up of various pieces and moving parts. Let’s break it down.

1. CARTILAGE

2. SYNOVIAL FLUID

3. COLLAGEN

• What? This protein is the reason you’re standing – or at least sitting up at your computer and reading this sentence.
• Why? Because collagen is the principal structural protein in connective tissues like cartilage, tendons and ligaments, as well as in bones, skin, hair and nails. So it’s a part of almost every part of you.
• So what? As you age and collagen production slows, your skin starts to wrinkle and your bones and joints start taking strain. Incidentally, Type II collagen specifically is the kind found in joint cartilage. Remember that for later.

4. GLUCOSAMINE

• What? It’s a natural glucose-based compound (glucosamine – no surprises there) that’s also found in all connective tissues.
• Why? Because it stimulates the production of collagen, while inhibiting the breakdown of other structural components called proteoglycans, it's a useful component of the synovial fluid, cartilage, tendons and ligaments surrounding joints. Plus it’s essential for healthy mucous membranes, eyes and certain valves in the heart.

FACT: Glucosamine stimulates the production of collagen. More glucosamine means more collagen means more support for joints. Bring it on.

WHAT CAN GO WRONG?

A happy joint is like a hinge that swings freely and doesn’t squeak. An unhappy joint is one that doesn’t move, or complains painfully when it does. Here are some of the unhappy happenings that cause the greatest complaints...

1. OSTEOARTHRITIS

• What? The word “arthritis” means inflammation of the joint. And that’s exactly what it is.
• How? Over time, wear and tear leaves joints worn and torn. The result is cartilage and bone degeneration, inflammation, reduced mobility and pain.
• Who? Usually found in older people it can affect one joint or many – most often hands, feet and weight-bearing joints like hips, knees and spine.

2. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

• What? Another form of systemic joint damage and inflammation.
• How? This kind is caused by the body’s own immune system attacking the linings of synovial joints.
• Who? People of any age can be affected and it usually involves multiple joints – especially the small joints of the hands, feet and neck.

3. ACUTE JOINT INJURY

• What? Pretty self-explanatory – it’s any short-term damage to a joint caused by some kind of trauma.
• How? Invariably leads to swelling, inflammation, immobility and pain.

4. GOUT

• What? On and off pain and inflammation, usually in the big toe joint.
• How? Caused by high levels of uric acid and exacerbated by alcohol, sweet drinks and meat.
• Who? Anyone can get it, but there is a genetic component and a rich diet can get gout going. It used to be known as “the rich man’s disease”. Go figure.

5. BURSITIS

• What? If arthritis is inflammation of the joint, bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, or joint capsule.
• How? Can be caused by injury, repetitive movement or pressure, which leads to pain and stiffness, usually worse post-exercise.
• Who? Anyone, anywhere, but elbows and knees are most common.

FACT: Statistics say a third of the world’s population will suffer from arthritis at some stage of life. That’s a lot of people. And a lot of sore joints.

A BIGGER PROBLEM: The NSAID Cycle

He said, she said, NSAIDs are bad news. 

• What’s an NSAID? A Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug, and an all too common treatment for common aches and pains.
• Why’s that a problem? Because NSAIDs treat top-layer symptoms like pain and inflammation without addressing the damage underneath.

The result is what we call The NSAID Cycle...

1. PAIN. Chronic arthritis or acute joint injury leads to pain and reduced mobility.
2. PILL-POPPING. Sufferer takes an NSAID to damp down the pain and feels better.
3. PROBLEM. Damaged joint is still damaged and the underlying problem isn’t being treated.
4. NO PAIN. Pain and inflammation are masked so the sufferer may overuse the joint and amplify the damage.
5. BIGGER PROBLEMS. Movement gets more restricted, resulting in further joint pain and inflammation – and more NSAIDs.
6. PLUS SIDE-EFFECTS. Studies have shown that NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers, blood-clotting problems and even possibly kidney damage. To add insult to injury.

FACT: The Real Thing Bones and Joints range stops The NSAID Cycle. It helps rev cartilage repair while putting the brakes on pain and inflammation. Drive your joints from degeneration to regeneration.

HOW THE REAL THING MAKES THINGS RIGHT

The Real Thing Bones and Joints range has something for every bone and joint problem... 

HERE’S A TIP:Take anti-inflammatory Anti-X with repair-revving Joint Revolution. It’s a joint venture.