Joint script for arthritis pain

You’re not alone, 27 million Americans live with osteoarthritis (OA) and the affliction worsens over time. Left untreated, it can completely disable you, so luckily you are doing something. I like glucosamine. I prefer the glucosamine “sulfate” form over other forms, because it provides sulfur to the body. Sulfur, not to be confused with sulfa, is a drug that many people are allergic to.

OA always involves pro-inflammatory cytokines, you’ve heard me mention those before. Cytokines are pain-causing chemicals. Cytokines aren’t bad until your body pumps them out in excess, and that’s exactly what happens with OA, and it’s exactly what you need to reduce. That controls pain and improves range of motion. Ibuprofen reduces the cytokines called prostaglandins and IL-1B. You want that. Glucosamine is a precursor for glycosaminoglycans and that is a component of joint cartilage. Consider these:

This may sound obvious but take pressure off your joints. Extra weight does no favor to your painful knees and hip joints. You may have to start gently with yoga, or Tai Chi, but keep those joints moving.

And finally, consider ramping up immunity, some forms of arthritis are due to infections, either fungal, viral or bacterial. Compounds in green tea reduce the cytokine called TNF alpha, often high in arthritic conditions. One cup of green (or matcha) tea could beat up germs and improve immunity. The L-theanine it contains is relaxing too. Drink it daily.